Verse Lens · Concise explanation
Genesis 14:7 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 7. 7And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
The invaders turn back to En-mishpat or Kadesh and strike the territory later known by the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites at Hazezon-tamar. The route now bends back toward the Jordan-city conflict.
Read It With
- Genesis 14:1–16
Read verses 5–8 together. The campaign first moves through several peoples and places, then returns toward Kadesh and Amorite territory, and finally reaches the local coalition in the Valley of Siddim.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The return toward Kadesh bends the campaign back toward the Jordan cities. Later geographic labels help orient the route while preparing the local kings' appearance in verse 8.
Read Genesis 14:5–7 together
Why these verses belong together: The three verses form one punitive-campaign itinerary of repeated victories and a return toward the Jordan region.
Verse 5. 5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
Verse 6. 6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
Verse 7. 7 And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.
What This Verse Is Not Saying
The phrase 'country of the Amalekites' does not require the conclusion that Amalek already existed under that name in Abram's lifetime.
What Remains True
Later geographic names can orient readers without proving that every group already bore that name at the narrated time.
How It Can Shape Life
- When explaining biblical geography, distinguish the story's narrated period from a name that may have been updated for later readers.
Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read Genesis 14:1–16 — Abram Rescues LotSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The route's broad movement is intelligible, but many exact site identifications and the history of the Amalekite place label remain uncertain.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Displayed wording, narrative sequence, capture, kinship rescue, recovery, immediate aftermath, and canonical safeguards.
Exact location: Genesis 14:1–16 in the pinned eng-kjv2006 source; compared with Genesis 13:8–18; 14:17–24; 18–19; Judges 18:29; and later biblical war, rescue, and enemy texts
Open source ↗hebrew text morphology and lemma data
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible — Genesis
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible Project
Open Scriptures, Version 2.2 released 2021; repository inspected 2026
Supports: Royal lists, service and rebellion, repeated strike verb, campaign itinerary, bitumen-pit repetition, fall wording, Lot's residence, Hebrew label, treaty-alliance phrase, rare mobilization verb, trained household-born men, kinship term, directions, and repeated recovery language.
Exact location: Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible, wlc/Gen.xml, Genesis 14:1–16
Open source ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — Genesis with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, Digital edition accessed 2026
Supports: Shinar, Goiim, coalition structure, vassal sequence, campaign route, strike verb, bitumen wording, fall ambiguity, Hebrew label, treaty allies, rare mobilization verb, Dan, night syntax, and north of Damascus.
Exact location: NET Bible, Genesis 14 and translator notes 1–52, especially notes on verses 1–16
Open NET Genesis 14 ↗