Genesis Chapter 14

Genesis Chapter 14: “Blessed Be Abram by God Most High”

1. The War of Kings and the Captivity of Lot

“In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar… four kings made war with five.” (Genesis 14:1–2)

This narrative, seemingly political, conceals profound theological symbolism.
The four kings from the East represent the worldly powers, the empires born from the line of Ham and Nimrod — the continuation of Babel’s ambition.
The five kings of the Jordan plain, including Sodom and Gomorrah, symbolize the fallen world’s divided loyalties.

In the midst of their conflict, Lot is taken captive.

St. John Chrysostom writes:

“The wars of kings are the fruit of pride; the humble man becomes their victim. Yet even these events serve the hidden plan of God.” (Homilies on Genesis XXXIV.1)

Lot, who chose by sight, now suffers the fruit of that choice — he lives near Sodom, and Sodom is enslaved.

2. Abraham the Peacemaker Becomes a Warrior

“When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men… and pursued them.” (Genesis 14:14)

The man of peace now takes up arms — not for ambition, but for love of kin and justice.
Faithful men are not pacifists but peacemakers, willing to fight for what is right when charity demands it.

St. Ambrose says:

“Abraham was gentle in peace, valiant in war — for peace is preserved by courage when it is guided by love.” (On Abraham I.8.38)

He gathers 318 men — a number the Fathers delighted in interpreting mystically.
St. Ambrose points out that the Greek numerals for 318 spell the name of Jesus (ΙΗΤ) — an early Christian sign that victory belongs to Christ. (De Abraham I.8.39)

Thus, even Abraham’s army foreshadows the Cross:
his victory is not by numbers, but by faith and divine aid.

3. The Rescue and the Righteous War

“He divided his forces by night… and brought back all the goods, and also brought back his kinsman Lot.” (Genesis 14:15–16)

Abraham’s battle is swift, just, and merciful.
He restores not only his kin but the other captives as well — acting not as a conqueror, but as a redeemer.

St. Augustine remarks:

“Abraham fought not for dominion but for deliverance; not for plunder, but for charity. Thus even his warfare was a work of peace.” (City of God XVI.22)

This is the model of Christian spiritual warfare:

Fight not to destroy but to rescue.

Use strength as the servant of mercy.

Act in righteousness, not revenge.

Abraham’s night assault also foreshadows Christ’s descent into the darkness of death to liberate the captives (cf. Ephesians 4:8–9).

4. The Mysterious Encounter

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.” (Genesis 14:18)

Here Scripture pauses the narrative and unveils a mystery.
Melchizedek appears suddenly — without genealogy, without history — as a king and priest of the true God.

The Fathers unanimously saw in Melchizedek a type of Christ.

St. Ambrose declares:

“Melchizedek is Christ, who is King of peace and righteousness, offering the sacrament of His Body and Blood under the signs of bread and wine.” (On the Mysteries 8.43)

“Salem” means peace, “Melchizedek” means righteousness — together, King of Righteousness and Peace (cf. Hebrews 7:2).
He offers bread and wine — the first foreshadowing of the Eucharist.

5. The Eucharistic Typology

St. Cyprian teaches:

“In Melchizedek we see prefigured the sacrifice of the Lord, who offered bread and wine — that is, His Body and Blood — in the New Covenant.” (Epistle 63.4)

The bread and wine of Genesis 14 become the signs of divine blessing.
In the Mass, they are transformed into the true Body and Blood of Christ — the fulfillment of this mystery.

St. Augustine writes:

“Melchizedek, who offered bread and wine, prefigured the sacrifice of the altar which the Church now offers through all the world.” (City of God XVI.22)

Thus, Abraham kneels before the priesthood of Christ centuries before the Incarnation.
This is the oldest foreshadowing of the Eucharist in Scripture — the heavenly gift appearing in the earliest dawn of faith.

6. The Blessing and the Response

“And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Maker of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:19–20)

Melchizedek blesses Abraham, recognizing him as chosen by God.
And Abraham offers a tithe — a tenth — in thanksgiving.
This establishes both the principle of tithing and the recognition of a higher priesthood.

St. John Chrysostom comments:

“The greater blesses the lesser, and Abraham offers tithes to him who is a type of Christ, showing that the patriarch honored the eternal priesthood.” (Homilies on Genesis XXXV.2)

Thus, before the Levitical law, there already exists a priesthood higher and eternal — that of Melchizedek, fulfilled in Christ.

7. The King of Sodom and the Temptation of Reward

“The king of Sodom said to Abram, ‘Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.’” (Genesis 14:21)

After the blessing comes temptation.
The king of Sodom offers Abraham wealth — spoils of victory.
But Abraham refuses:

“I have sworn to the Lord God Most High that I would not take a thread or a sandal-thong or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” (Genesis 14:22–23)

Faith accepts gifts from God, not bribes from the world.

St. Ambrose writes:

“He who has received the blessing of Melchizedek will not touch the gifts of Sodom. For those who feed on the bread of heaven despise earthly gain.” (On Abraham I.9.43)

Abraham shows that integrity is better than advantage.
He will not let the wicked share in God’s glory or claim credit for His blessings.

8. The Contrast of Two Kings

King of SodomKing of Salem
Demands, bargains, temptsBlesses and gives freely
Symbol of sin and corruptionSymbol of righteousness and peace
Represents the world’s powerRepresents God’s eternal priesthood
Offers wealthOffers bread and wine
Seeks profitBrings blessing

St. Augustine beautifully says:

“Two kings meet Abraham: one of sin, one of righteousness — two cities, two loves. He rejects the one and bows before the other.” (City of God XVI.22)

This contrast reveals the choice before every believer:
to live by faith and worship or by power and possession.

9. The Theology of Melchizedek

The Letter to the Hebrews will later unfold this mystery fully:

“You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17)

Christ’s priesthood is not based on genealogy or earthly sacrifice, but on His eternal Sonship and self-offering.

St. Thomas Aquinas explains:

“The order of Melchizedek is that of Christ Himself — royal, eternal, and prefigured in the sacrament of bread and wine.” (Summa Theologiae III, q.22 a.6)

Melchizedek therefore stands as the eternal pattern of Christian priesthood — righteousness joined to peace, worship joined to kingship, sacrifice joined to blessing.

10. Theological Summary

ThemeRevelation
War of kingsThe struggle between worldly power and divine calling
Abraham’s victoryFaith guided by charity triumphs over force
Melchizedek’s offeringForeshadowing of the Eucharist and Christ’s eternal priesthood
Blessing and titheRecognition of divine kingship and priestly authority
Refusal of Sodom’s wealthDetachment from worldly glory
Two kingsThe City of God vs. the city of man

St. Ambrose summarizes:

“Melchizedek blessed Abraham with bread and wine; Christ blesses His Church with His Body and Blood. He whom Abraham adored we now receive.” (On the Mysteries 9.48)

11. Moral and Spiritual Application

Fight for love, not ambition. Abraham’s battle was for justice and kin, not conquest.

Recognize the true Priest-King. Worship Christ, who blesses us with the bread and wine of eternal life.

Give thanks through tithing. Offer back to God the first and best of what He gives.

Reject worldly bribery. Do not let success come from sin’s hand.

Choose Melchizedek over Sodom. Let your soul kneel before righteousness and peace, not pride and pleasure.

12. Christ the Fulfillment

Melchizedek finds his perfection in Christ:

King of Salem → Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

Brings bread and wine → Gives His Body and Blood

Blesses Abraham → Blesses all nations

Receives tithes → Receives our whole lives

Appears without genealogy → Begotten, not made, eternal Son of the Father

The Mass, therefore, is the living continuation of Genesis 14 — the eternal priesthood of Christ present on our altars.

13. Closing Prayer

O God Most High,
You revealed to Abraham the mystery of Your priesthood in the offering of bread and wine by Your servant Melchizedek.
Grant that we who share in this holy Sacrifice
may be made righteous and at peace through Your Son,
the true King and Priest forever.
Deliver us from the temptations of worldly gain,
and teach us to live by faith, generosity, and worship.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.