Why Abraham Refused the Spoils of Sodom and Sanctified God's Name

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 14:22

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"I have lifted up my hand." At that moment Abraham sanctified the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, so that the king of Sodom should not think that it was on account of money that Abraham made war with the four kings; rather, he made war only to rescue Lot and his possessions, because he was his brother's son.

Themes

AbrahamWarKingsCreationChanukah

Biblical References

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Book of JubileesKingdom of ChedorlaomerBook of Jubilees turns to Kingdom of Chedorlaomer. The scene opens with a list of kings – Chedorlaomer of Elam, Amraphel of Shinar, Arioch of Ellasar, and TidalTargum JonathanOg Survived the Flood by Riding on Top of the ArkGenesis 14 is a war chapter, four kings against five, a battle in the Valley of Siddim, Lot taken captive, Abraham riding to the rescue. The Hebrew text is sparTargum JonathanAbraham Saw Gehinnam Burning Between the SacrificesAbraham had just defeated four kings and rescued his nephew. In (Genesis 15:1), God simply says "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very grMidrash AggadahWhy Abram Feared and How God Became His ShieldAfter Abram rode home from war, the bloodshed clung to him. Why does the verse open, "Fear not"? Because fear had already taken hold. The kings he had broken inMidrash AggadahWhy Ephron Was Made King and How Abraham Found the CaveHear how a single missing letter holds a hidden story. When Scripture says "And Ephron was sitting," the word for "sitting" is written short, lacking its vav—anBereshit RabbahTeachings of AbrahamBereshit Rabbah turns to Teachings of Abraham. The book of Genesis, Bereshit in Hebrew, gives us that powerful image of God telling Abraham, in chapter 13, vers