1 tn Heb “made war.”
sn Went to war. The conflict here reflects international warfare in the Early and Middle Bronze periods. The countries operated with overlords and vassals. Kings ruled over city states, or sometimes a number of city states (i.e., nations). Due to their treaties, when one went to war, those confederate with him joined him in battle. It appears here that it is Kedorlaomer’s war, because the western city states have rebelled against him (meaning they did not send products as tribute to keep him from invading them).
2 sn On the geographical background of vv. 1-2 see J. P. Harland, “Sodom and Gomorrah,” The Biblical Archaeologist Reader, 1:41-75; and D. N. Freedman, “The Real Story of the Ebla Tablets, Ebla and the Cities of the Plain,” BA 41 (1978): 143-64.
3 tn Or “Goyim.” See the note on the word “nations” in 14:1.
4 tn The Hebrew text has simply “against.” The word “fought” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
5 tn The Hebrew text simply has “night” as an adverbial accusative.
6 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Abram) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 tn Heb “he divided himself…he and his servants.”
8 tn Heb “left.” Directions in ancient Israel were given in relation to the east rather than the north.
9 tn The Hebrew participle expresses an imminent action here.
10 tn Heb “for their outcry.” The words “about this place” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
11 tn Heb “the
12 tn Heb “upon me your curse.”
13 tn Heb “only listen to my voice.”
14 tn Heb “is not.”
15 tn Heb “is not.”
16 tn The nuance of the imperfect verbal form is desiderative here.