Genesis 14:13-16

Abram's Victory

13. Abram the Hebrew Abram is described, as Lot in the previous verse, as if mentioned for the first time: an indication of the independent origin of the narrative.

The name "Hebrew" here occurs for the first time in Scripture. It is a title used of Israelites, either by foreigners, or in speaking of them to foreigners, or in contrast with foreigners. The word was popularly explained as a patronymic meaning "descendant of Eber," see notes on Genesis 10:24; Genesis 11:14. Its formation, from the root -br, suggests that it means "one who has come from the other side," probably, of the river Euphrates, cf. Joshua 24:2. The LXX renders here ὁ περάτης, Lat. transeuphratensis.

It is sometimes claimed that the name is identical with that of the Ḥabiri, a nomad, restless people, mentioned in the Tel-el-Amarna tablets as making war upon the Canaanite towns and communities (circ. 1400). The name Ḥabiriis akin to Hebron, and may denote "the confederates." The identification of -Ibri= "Hebrew" with Ḥabiriwould require a change of the first consonant, and an alteration of root meaning 1 [16].

[16] See Appendix D.

the oaks of Mamre Better, terebinths. See note on Genesis 13:18. Mamre, though probably the name of a place, is here personified in its occupant. But there is no indication in Genesis 13:18 that "the oaks of Mamre" were called by the name of a local chieftain.

Eshcol The well-known name, meaning "a bunch of grapes," given to a valley near Hebron (cf. Numbers 13:23), is here transferred to a person.

Aner has not been identified as a place near Hebron, but appears as the name of a town in 1 Chronicles 6:70.

confederate with Abram Lit. "lords of the covenant of Abram," i.e. allies with him by mutual compact, like Abimelech the Philistine, Genesis 21:22-23; Genesis 21:32; Genesis 26:28-31.