and blessed be God Most High,This phrase acknowledges the sovereignty and supremacy of God over all creation. The title "God Most High" (El Elyon) emphasizes God's ultimate authority and power. This is the first time this title is used in the Bible, highlighting the recognition of God's supreme position by Melchizedek, a priest-king. The use of this title connects to other scriptures where God is acknowledged as the Most High, such as in
Psalm 7:17 and
Daniel 4:34, reinforcing the idea of God's unmatched dominion.
who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
This statement attributes Abram's victory to divine intervention rather than human effort. It underscores the belief that God actively participates in the affairs of His people, granting them success against their adversaries. This theme of God delivering enemies is recurrent in the Bible, seen in stories like the Exodus (Exodus 14:30) and David's victories (1 Samuel 17:47). It reflects the covenant relationship where God promises protection and victory to those who are faithful to Him.
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything.
Abram's act of giving a tenth, or tithe, to Melchizedek is significant as it represents an acknowledgment of Melchizedek's priestly authority and a gesture of gratitude to God. This is the first recorded instance of tithing in the Bible, setting a precedent for later practices in Israelite worship (Leviticus 27:30-32). The act of tithing here also prefigures the Levitical priesthood and the support of religious leaders. Melchizedek is seen as a type of Christ, as noted inHebrews 7, where Jesus is described as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, emphasizing His eternal priesthood and the superiority of His ministry.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Abram (Abraham)The central figure in this passage, Abram is blessed by Melchizedek and responds by giving a tithe. He is a patriarch of the faith, known for his obedience and faithfulness to God.
2.
MelchizedekKing of Salem and priest of God Most High, Melchizedek blesses Abram. His dual role as king and priest is significant and foreshadows Christ's own role.
3.
God Most High (El Elyon)This title for God emphasizes His supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. It is used by Melchizedek to bless Abram.
4.
Enemies DeliveredRefers to the kings defeated by Abram, highlighting God's intervention and support in Abram's victory.
5.
TitheAbram's act of giving a tenth of everything to Melchizedek is an early example of tithing, demonstrating gratitude and acknowledgment of God's provision.
Teaching Points
Acknowledgment of God's SovereigntyRecognize that victories and successes are ultimately delivered by God Most High. This acknowledgment should lead to humility and gratitude.
The Principle of TithingAbram's giving of a tenth is a model for believers to follow, demonstrating trust in God's provision and a heart of worship.
Christ as Our High PriestMelchizedek's role as both king and priest points to Jesus, who fulfills both roles perfectly. Believers can find assurance in Christ's eternal priesthood.
Blessing OthersJust as Melchizedek blessed Abram, believers are called to be a blessing to others, sharing God's love and truth.
Faith in ActionAbram's response to God's deliverance was immediate and generous. Our faith should be active, leading to tangible expressions of gratitude and worship.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 14:20?
2.How does Genesis 14:20 emphasize God's role in Abram's victory?
3.What does Abram's tithe to Melchizedek teach about honoring God with possessions?
4.How does Genesis 14:20 connect to the concept of divine blessing in Scripture?
5.In what ways can we acknowledge God's provision in our daily victories?
6.How can we apply the principle of tithing from Genesis 14:20 today?
7.Why did Abram give Melchizedek a tenth of everything in Genesis 14:20?
8.How does Genesis 14:20 support the practice of tithing in Christianity?
9.Who is Melchizedek, and why is he significant in Genesis 14:20?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 14?
11.What does the Bible say about tithing while in debt?
12.What are common questions about tithing practices?
13.Is tithing necessary for Christians?
14.What amount should I tithe?What Does Genesis 14:20 Mean
And blessed be God Most High• Melchizedek’s opening words focus first on God, not Abram. He recognizes God as “Most High,” the supreme ruler over every king and kingdom (Psalm 47:2;Daniel 4:34).
• By blessing God, Melchizedek models true worship—acknowledging the Author of victory before celebrating the human instrument (Revelation 4:11).
• Abram hears his own success framed inside God’s supremacy, reminding him that any honor he receives must reflect back to the Lord (1 Chronicles 29:11-12).
who has delivered your enemies into your hand• The triumph over the coalition of kings (Genesis 14:8-16) is credited entirely to God’s intervention, echoing later declarations such asExodus 15:6 andPsalm 44:3.
• This phrase exposes the difference between human achievement and divine deliverance. Abram’s 318 men (Genesis 14:14) were outmatched, yet God “delivered,” proving that numbers and strategy are secondary to His power (Judges 7:2-7).
• The statement foreshadows God’s covenant promises: the same Lord who wins Abram’s battles will secure the land and lineage He pledged (Genesis 15:18-21).
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything• Abram’s tithe is spontaneous gratitude, not payment for services. He joyfully gives a tenth of the spoils, acknowledging God’s ownership of all he possesses (Proverbs 3:9).
• This act precedes the Mosaic Law, showing that honoring God with firstfruits is rooted in faith, not legal obligation (Hebrews 7:2, 4).
• By giving to Melchizedek—both king and priest—Abram affirms the legitimacy of a priesthood outside his own lineage, setting the stage for Christ’s superior priesthood “in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:17).
• The tithe also separates Abram from the pagan kings; he will not enrich himself at their expense (Genesis 14:22-24), underscoring his dependence on God alone.
summaryMelchizedek blesses God first, centering all victory on the Lord’s unmatched sovereignty. He testifies that God, not Abram’s skill, delivered the foes. Abram responds with a voluntary tithe, declaring that every gain belongs to God.Genesis 14:20 therefore calls believers to recognize God as the true source of triumph and to honor Him with thankful, generous hearts.
(20)
He gave him tithes.--Abram thus consecrated the war by a thank-offering to God, Who had given him the victory. But he also, by paying tithes, acknowledged the priesthood of Melchizedek, and that the God Whom he served was the true God. See
Hebrews 7:4-11.
Verse 20. -
And blessed be the most high God (cf. Genesis 9:56),
who hath delivered -
miggen, a word peculiar to poetry -
nathan (cf.
Proverbs 4:9;
Hosea 11:8) -
thine enemies- tsarecha, also a poetical expression -
oyeb (cf.
Deuteronomy 32:27;
Job 16:9;
Psalm 81:15) -
into thy hand. And he - not Melchisedeck (Jewish interpreters), but Abram (Josephus, LXX., Jonathan,
Hebrews 7:6) -
gave him (not Abram, but Melchisedeck)
tithes "tenths." These, being the customary offering to the Deity, were an acknowledgment of the Divine priesthood of Melchisedeck. The practice of paying tithes, primarily a voluntary tax for the servants of the sanctuary, appears to have obtained among different nations from the remotest antiquity (
vide Dr. Ginsburg in 'Kitto's Cyclopedia,' art. Tithes). The tithal law was afterwards incorporated among the Mosaic statutes (
Leviticus 27:30-33;
Numbers 18:31-32) -
of all - the spoils which he had taken (
Hebrews 7:4.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
and blessed beוּבָרוּךְ֙(ū·ḇā·rūḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to curseGodאֵ֣ל(’êl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410:Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the AlmightyMost High,עֶלְי֔וֹן(‘el·yō·wn)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945:An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supremewhoאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thathas deliveredמִגֵּ֥ן(mig·gên)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4042:To shield, encompass with, to rescue, to hand safely overyour enemiesצָרֶ֖יךָ(ṣā·re·ḵā)Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6862:Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponentinto your hand.”בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ(bə·yā·ḏe·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A handThen Abram gaveוַיִּתֶּן־(way·yit·ten-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, set[Melchizedek] a tenthמַעֲשֵׂ֖ר(ma·‘ă·śêr)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4643:Tenth part, titheof everything.מִכֹּֽל׃(mik·kōl)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every
Links
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OT Law: Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High who (Gen. Ge Gn) 
