Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

ABRAHAM AND LOT 14,: 1-12
established that there was a line of Bronze Age cities run-
ing down through this region. Several such are mentioned
as being subjected (Gen. 14: 5-6). The places referred to
can be identified with considerable certainty.” The plain
fact is that copper mining was carried on in the region
between the Dead Sea and the Gulf of Aqabah and the
Cities of the Plain may have controlled these mining opera-
tions. “The invaders from the East were initially success-
ful in securing tribute from this wealthy area.” When
after twelve years this tribute was refused by the revolting
cities, it became necessary for the original invaders to re-
impose their demands on them-hence a second invasion
occurred for the purpose of bringing the rebels to time.
In the light of these facts the narrative is entirely plausible.
HSB (24) : “The fact that the four eastern kings devastated
the area from Transjordan down to Kadesh-Barnea is borne
out by Glueck’s findings that sedentary cuIture in Trans-
jordania ceased about the 20th century B.C.”
(2) “The representation that Abram with 318 re-
tainers defeated the combined armies of the eastern kings
(vss. 14-16) .” But Speiser comments (ABG, 104) : “The
number involved is not too small for a surprise attack;
by the same token it enhances the authenticity of the
narrative.” Also Whitelaw (PCG, 206) : “servants, boriz
in 13;s 1307m, ie., the children of his own patriarchal family,
and neither purchased nor taken in war--three handred
a d eighteen-which implied a household of probably a
thousand souls.” Jamieson (CECG, 140) : “Those trained
servants who are described as ‘young men’ (v. 24) were
domestic slaves such as are common in Eastetn countries
still, and are considered and treated as members of the
family. If Abram could spare three hundred and eighteen
slaves, and leave a sufficient number to take care of his
flocks, what a large establishment he, must have had!”
Cf. Haley (ADB, 319) : “Abraham had .not alone routed
the combined forces of the kings. His ‘confederates,’ Aner,
109