CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 14:1. Arioch.] Probably signifies _lion-like._ The name re-appears in the time of Daniel, as applied to the captain of the king’s guard (Daniel 2:14).—CHEDORLAOMER.] “Upon the bricks recently found in Chaldea there occurs the name of a king—_Kudurmapula_—which _Rawlinson_ th... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 14:13. Abram the Hebrew.] The lxx renders the word by περάτης _one passing over, i.e., the immigrant,_ and some say that Abram is so described as having crossed the Euphrates from the east. But _Murphy_ considers that the word should be understood as a patronymic, because i... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 14:17. Valley of Shaveh] Shaveh means valley or dale. Nothing is known of its situation.— GENESIS 14:18. MELCHIZEDEK, KING OF RIGHTEOUSNESS] The Jews identify him with Shem. Thus the Targum of Jonathan: “But Melchizedek he is Shem, the son of Noah, king of Jerusalem.” Also... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 14:22. I have lifted up mine hand] This is a Hebraism for “I have sworn.” The custom was to raise the right hand when taking an oath.— GENESIS 14:23. FROM A THREAD EVEN TO A SHOE-LATCHET] A proverbial expression, signifying that he would not take even a thing of the most t... [ Continue Reading ]