And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is the king of Sodom's subtle but significant prioritization. He asks for "the persons" back, meaning his people, but readily offers Abram "the goods," all the recovered wealth. This reveals that even this king, in a city notorious for its wickedness, valued his subjects' lives above all material possessions.
And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After rescuing his nephew Lot and the people of Sodom from enemy kings, Abram is met by the king of Sodom. The Sodomite king, perhaps recognizing Abram’s integrity after his encounter with Melchizedek, offers Abram all the recovered possessions as a reward, only asking for his people back. Abram, however, refuses any personal gain, wanting only to ensure his allies received their due.
After a fierce battle and a miraculous rescue, Abram is offered a king's ransom. But his response reveals a heart focused on something far greater than earthly riches.
The king of Sodom, desperate to reclaim his people, offers Abram all the recovered goods in exchange for the 'persons' (his subjects). This was a customary and generous offer according to the norms of ancient warfare.
A King's Ransom
The spoils of war were typically the victor's reward. The king of Sodom, recognizing Abram's incredible feat, essentially says, 'Take everything else – the gold, the livestock, the possessions – but please, just give me back my people.'
Abram's Higher Calling
However, Abram, acting not just as a warrior but as a man of faith, refuses any personal gain. He explicitly states he won't take so much as a 'thread or a sandal strap' from the spoils. His focus is not on enriching himself but on honoring God and dissociating himself from any perception of personal greed. He had already been blessed by Melchizedek, and that was enough.
In the face of loss, the king of Sodom shows a surprising priority. But Abram's priorities, shaped by his divine calling, are on an entirely different level.
The king of Sodom's request, 'Give me the persons, but take the goods to thyself,' reveals a crucial insight into his values. Despite the reputation of Sodom for wickedness, this king prioritizes the lives of his people over all the material wealth that had been plundered.
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Valuing People Over Possessions
This is a significant point. Even in a notoriously corrupt society, the leader demonstrates a fundamental concern for his subjects. It's a stark reminder that people, regardless of their societal standing or moral compass, have inherent value.
Abram's Unique Perspective
Abram, on the other hand, has just experienced a profound encounter with Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God. This encounter, coupled with his own deep faith and divine promise, shifts his perspective entirely. While the king of Sodom is focused on reclaiming his people and possessions, Abram is focused on his relationship with God and the integrity of his witness. He is not moved by the potential riches of the spoils because his true wealth and security lie in his covenant with God.
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A ruler or sovereign of a city-state; in this context, it represents a worldly authority often associated with moral corruption.
This interaction highlights the social customs of the time, where the spoils of war typically went to the victor, but also reveals Abram's extraordinary integrity and generosity in refusing personal gain.
c. 2000-1800 BC
Rise of Mesopotamian Kingdoms
Powerful kingdoms like Elam and Shinar (Babylonia) emerged in Mesopotamia, exerting influence and control over surrounding regions.
c. 1800 BC
Chedorlaomer's Dominance
Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, established a confederacy of four kings, likely dominating the region for many years and receiving tribute.
c. 1800 BC
Rebellion of the Five Kings
The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela rebelled against Chedorlaomer's rule, leading to a military response.
c. 1800 BC
Valley of Siddim Battle
The rebel kings fought Chedorlaomer and his allies in the Vale of Siddim, but were defeated and fled.
c. 1800 BC
Sack of Sodom and Gomorrah
Following the battle, the victorious kings plundered Sodom and Gomorrah, taking goods and capturing people, including Lot, Abram's nephew.
c. 1800 BC
Abram's Rescue Mission
Abram gathered his men, pursued the raiders, defeated them, and rescued Lot, his people, and all the goods.
c. 1800 BC— this verse
King of Sodom's Offer
Upon Abram's victorious return, the king of Sodom met him and offered to let Abram keep the recovered goods, asking only for the people back.
This passage echoes Abram's selfless act by stating that anyone who does not give up all their possessions cannot be Jesus' disciple, highlighting a similar radical renunciation of material wealth for a higher calling.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20Paul's assertion that believers belong to God and are not their own, bought with a price, resonates with Abram's refusal of personal gain, framing his actions not just as generosity but as a recognition of ultimate ownership by God.
Matthew 6:33Jesus' command to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness directly parallels Abram's decision to prioritize spiritual blessings and his kinsman's rescue over personal enrichment from the spoils of war.
Proverbs 11:24-25This proverb speaks to the principle that generosity leads to prosperity, offering a wise perspective on Abram's selfless act and its implied spiritual rewards, contrasting with the king of Sodom's focus on material gain.
gillGenesis 14:21: "And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself."
And the king of Sodom said unto Abram,.... After the conversation between him and Melchizedek was over: give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself; meaning by "persons" or "souls", as in the original, his own subjects that had been taken and carried away by the four kings, and were now brought back by Abram; and by "the goods", those of his own and his subjects, which their conque…
calvinGenesis 14:1-24: "And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;"
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;
Et egressus est rex Sedom, et rex Hamorah, et rex Admah, et rex Seboim, et rex Belah, ipsa est Sohar, et ordinaverunt cum eis…
What's easy to miss here is the king of Sodom's subtle but significant prioritization. He asks for "the persons" back, meaning his people, but readily offers Abram "the goods," all the recovered wealth. This reveals that even this king, in a city notorious for its wickedness, valued his subjects' lives above all material possessions.
After rescuing his nephew Lot and the people of Sodom from enemy kings, Abram is met by the king of Sodom. The Sodomite king, perhaps recognizing Abram’s integrity after his encounter with Melchizedek, offers Abram all the recovered possessions as a reward, only asking for his people back. Abram, however, refuses any personal gain, wanting only to ensure his allies received their due.
After rescuing his nephew Lot and the people of Sodom from enemy kings, Abram is met by the king of Sodom. The Sodomite king, perhaps recognizing Abram’s integrity after his encounter with Melchizedek, offers Abram all the recovered possessions as a reward, only asking for his people back. Abram, however, refuses any personal gain, wanting only to ensure his allies received their due.
"And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”" — What's easy to miss here is the king of Sodom's subtle but significant prioritization. He asks for "the persons" back, meaning his people, but readily offers Abram "the goods," all the recovered weal…
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Last reviewed October 2026