The Meaning of Genesis 14:20 Explained

Genesis 14:20

KJV: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

YLT: and blessed is God Most High, who hath delivered thine adversaries into thy hand;' and he giveth to him a tenth of all.

Darby: And blessed be the Most High God, who has delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him the tenth of all.

ASV: and blessed be God Most High, who hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him a tenth of all.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And blessed  be the most high  God,  which hath delivered  thine enemies  into thy hand.  And he gave  him tithes  of all. 

What does Genesis 14:20 Mean?

Verse Meaning

People practiced tithing as an act of worship commonly in the ancient Near East at this time (cf. Genesis 28:22). [1] It was also a common tax. This is still true in some modern countries. For example, in England part of every person"s taxes goes to maintain the Church of England. Some residents regard this part of their tax as their contribution to the church or their tithe. However since Melchizedek gave Abram a priestly blessing, it is likely that Abram reciprocated by giving Melchizedek a gift with priestly connotations. [2] "All" probably refers to all that he took in the battle rather than all that was in Abram"s possession (cf. Genesis 14:23-24; Hebrews 7:4).

Context Summary

Genesis 14:13-24 - Abram And Melchizedek
Recently discovered monuments confirm this narrative of the confederacy of the kings, but do not tell of their overthrow. Abram might fairly have left Lot to reap as he had sown, but his soul yearned over his weak and entrapped relative, and he set himself to deliver him. Men of faith and prayer are still able to rescue those who are taken captive by the devil at his will. Faith subdues kingdoms. The moment of success is always one of danger. The king of Sodom insidiously proposed that they should share the spoils! But how could Abram live as a pensioner on God's care, if he feathered his nest with the tainted wealth of Sodom? A previous interview had taken place, which made Abram strong. Melchizedek was king and priest of the tribe which held Jerusalem. Read Hebrews 7:1-28. He brought bread and wine, and a fresh revelation of the character of God, on which Abram rested his soul. What had he to do with Sodom, who was the child of such a Father? Christ always anticipates Satan. See Luke 22:31. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 14

1  The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies
12  Lot is taken prisoner
14  Abram rescues him
17  Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes
21  Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom

What do the individual words in Genesis 14:20 mean?

and blessed be God Most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand And he gave him a tithe of everything
וּבָרוּךְ֙ אֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן אֲשֶׁר־ מִגֵּ֥ן צָרֶ֖יךָ בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וַיִּתֶּן־ ל֥וֹ מַעֲשֵׂ֖ר מִכֹּֽל

וּבָרוּךְ֙  and  blessed  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: בָּרַךְ 
Sense: to bless, kneel.
אֵ֣ל  God 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵל 
Sense: god, god-like one, mighty one.
עֶלְי֔וֹן  Most  High 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: עֶלְיׄון 
Sense: high, upper.
מִגֵּ֥ן  has  delivered 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָגַן  
Sense: (Piel) to deliver up, give, deliver.
צָרֶ֖יךָ  your  enemies 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person masculine singular
Root: צַר 
Sense: narrow, tight.
בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ  into  your  hand 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: יָד  
Sense: hand.
וַיִּתֶּן־  And  he  gave 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ר  a  tithe 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַעֲשֵׂר  
Sense: tithe, tenth part.
מִכֹּֽל  of  everything 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.