Abraham Dismissed the Fearful and Eliezer Alone Stayed

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Lech Lecha 16:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Gen. 14:14): HE ARMED HIS TRAINED MEN. "He armed" (vayareq) means nothing but that he made them turn pale (horiq) with words, just as it is written in the Torah (in Deut. 20:8): WHO IS THE MAN WHO IS AFRAID (yare) AND FAINT (rakh) OF HEART. So did Abraham do: He said to them: We are going out to war. Whoever has transgressions in his hand, and is afraid because of his deeds, let him not go out with us. When they heard this, everyone who knew in his heart that he had sinned was afraid and did not go out, and they went back. And no one remained with him except Eliezer alone. In that hour the Holy One said: All have forsaken you, and no one remained with you except Eliezer alone. By your life, I am placing within him the strength of three hundred and eighteen, as it is stated: AND HE ARMED HIS TRAINED MEN, THE ONES BORN IN HIS HOUSE, EIGHTEEN AND THREE HUNDRED. From where? The number of "Eliezer" by gematria is three hundred and eighteen.

Themes

AbrahamSinWarAdam EveWisdom

Biblical References

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