THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
He also reveals the underlying cause for the beginning of the conflict.
Genesis 14:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
For they had served Chodorlahomor twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they revolted from him.
שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה עָבְד֖וּ אֶת־כְּדָרְלָעֹ֑מֶר וּשְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה מָרָֽדוּ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Dimitri of Rostov
Regarding the kings who united for battle, as noted in the 14th chapter of Genesis, it is important to understand that they were not sovereigns ruling over vast territories, but rather each governed a single city. Though they were like kings and nobles, collectively they fell under the overarching rule of Assyria. Consequently, the Jewish historian Josephus refers to the conflict involving the Sodomites as an Assyrian war. Prior to the ultimate downfall of the Sodomites, the Lord allowed their enemies to invade and take them captive, with the intention that they might turn from their wickedness and seek repentance. The gracious God, who does not desire the demise of the unrighteous, even though they merit eternal condemnation, refrains from immediate punishment.
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Instead, He permits various afflictions—such as foreign invasions, discord, famine, illness, and other hardships—to awaken them to their sins and lead them to restoration. However, if they remain unrepentant despite these trials, He ultimately relinquishes them to their own destruction. This was the case with the Sodomites: first, they faced severe discipline, and when they continued in their ways, they were consumed by fire, as will be elaborated upon later. This illustrates that God often uses wicked individuals to enact judgment upon others; thus, sinful people serve as instruments of punishment. For instance, He chastised the Jews with the Chaldeans, the Chaldeans with the Persians, the Persians with the Greeks, the Greeks with the Romans, and the Romans with the Goths. In contemporary times, we see Christians suffering under the Hagarians, as evidenced in Greece.
Philaret of Moscow (Drosdow)
For twelve years, they endured servitude under Chedorlaomer. It is important to recognize that Noah’s prophecy regarding the bondage of Canaan was starting to come to pass in some measure.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Ezek 17:15But he hath revolted from him and sent ambassadors to Egypt, that it might give him horses, and much people. And shall he that hath done thus prosper, or be saved? and shall he escape that hath broken the covenant?
- Gen 9:25He said: Cursed be Chanaan, a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.
- Gen 9:26And he said: Blessed be the Lord God of Sem, be Chanaan his servant.