Melchizedek Blesses Abram

After Abram returned from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, which the text identifies as the King's Valley (Genesis 14:17). During this encounter, Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. The text states that Melchizedek was the priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18).

Melchizedek blessed Abram, stating that Abram was blessed by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth. He further delivered a blessing to God Most High, who he credited with delivering Abram's enemies into his hand. In response to these actions, Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe of all the goods he possessed (Genesis 14:19-20). The specific ingredients of the bread or the type of wine used are details the text does not say.

The king of Sodom, identified as Bera in the preceding verses, requested that Abram give him the persons but keep the goods for himself. Abram replied to the king of Sodom, asserting that he had raised his hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, swearing that he would not take anything that belonged to the king. He specified he would not take even a thread or a sandal strap so that the king of Sodom could not claim he had made Abram rich (Genesis 14:21-23).

Abram clarified that he would take nothing except what the young men had eaten and the portion belonging to the men who went with him: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. He stated that these men should take their portion, though the exact nature of their portion the text does not say (Genesis 14:24).