Genesis 14:14

And when Abram heard It is implied that, if Lot had not been taken prisoner, Abram would not have stirred either to attack the invader or to assist the native kings. But, as a dweller at Hebron, he was within sight of "the land of the Plain," cf. Genesis 19:28; and must have been well aware of Chedorlaomer's punitive expedition against the kings of the Plain.

his brother i.e. kinsman: see note on Genesis 13:8.

led forth Lit. "emptied out," or "unsheathed," used of arrows from a quiver, or of a sword from a sheath. Driver gives the meaning "drew out rapidly and in full numbers." The LXX ἠρίθμησεν, "counted" or "mustered," Lat. numeravit, following probably a reading which is also found in the Samaritan version.

his trained men, born in his house i.e. his most faithful retainers, the slaves (a) born in his household, as distinguished from those obtained by purchase; (b) specially exercised in the use of arms.

three hundred and eighteen This exact figure seems strange. The old Jewish commentators explained it by pointing out that the numerical value of the Heb. letters of the name "Eliezer," Abram's steward (Genesis 15:2), was 318. In modern times Winckler has found some supporters for the astronomical explanation, that the moon is visible for 318 days in the year; and that the number of Abram's retainers must, therefore, indicate that the story of Abram is blended with a lunar myth. The two explanations possess a certain kind of resemblance in their ingenuity and their improbability.

Dan The pursuit of Abram enabled him to overtake the booty-laden army at Laish (Joshua 19:47), on the north frontier of Canaan. Laish received the name of Dan after its conquest by a band of Danites, as recorded in Judges 1:18. The mention of Dan, therefore, is, strictly speaking, an anachronism, though quite intelligible. That Abram should overtake and smite his enemy at the furthest northern limit of the future Israelite country, is a feature in the story not without symbolical significance.

But, if Abram with a small force had to pursue the enemy the whole length of Palestine, the retiring army, though burdened with spoil, must have marched at a high rate of speed. Again, Dan would not be on the high road to Damascus; it lay too far to the left.