Genesis 14:15
New International Version
During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

New Living Translation
There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

English Standard Version
And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.

Berean Standard Bible
During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

King James Bible
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

New King James Version
He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

New American Standard Bible
Then he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

NASB 1995
He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

NASB 1977
And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he divided his men against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

Amplified Bible
He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and attacked and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

Christian Standard Bible
And he and his servants deployed against them by night, defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah to the north of Damascus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And he and his servants deployed against them by night, attacked them, and pursued them as far as Hobah to the north of Damascus.

American Standard Version
And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Contemporary English Version
That night, Abram divided up his troops, attacked from all sides, and won a great victory. But some of the enemy escaped to the town of Hobah north of Damascus,

English Revised Version
And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He split up his men to attack them at night. He defeated them, pursuing them all the way to Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

Good News Translation
There he divided his men into groups, attacked the enemy by night, and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus,

International Standard Version
During the night, Abram and his servants divided his forces, conquered his enemies, and pursued them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

Majority Standard Bible
During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

NET Bible
Then, during the night, Abram divided his forces against them and defeated them. He chased them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

New Heart English Bible
He divided his forces against them at night, he and his servants, and attacked them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants by night, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

World English Bible
He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he divides himself against them by night, he and his servants, and strikes them, and pursues them to Hobah, which [is] at the left of Damascus;

Young's Literal Translation
And he divideth himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smiteth them, and pursueth them unto Hobah, which is at the left of Damascus;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will divide against them at night, he and his servants, and will smite them, and will pursue them even to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And dividing his company, he rushed upon them in the night: and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hoba, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And dividing his company, he rushed upon them in the night. And he struck them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

New American Bible
He and his servants deployed against them at night, defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.

New Revised Standard Version
He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he and his Servants split up against them in the night and they struck them and they chased them until Khuba that is by the left of Darmsuq.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he came upon them by night, he and his servants, and he smote them and pursued them as far as Choba, which is on the left of Damascus.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abram Rescues Lot
14And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan. 15During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.…

Cross References
Hebrews 7:1-2
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, / and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness.” Then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”

Hebrews 11:34
quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Judges 7:16-22
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. / “Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. / When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’” ...

1 Samuel 30:8-17
and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.” / So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind / because two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the brook. But David and four hundred men continued in pursuit. ...

Isaiah 41:2-3
Who has aroused one from the east and called him to his feet in righteousness? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow. / He pursues them, going on safely, hardly touching the path with his feet.

Psalm 110:5-6
The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. / He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.

2 Samuel 8:1-14
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Metheg-ammah from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, made them lie down on the ground, and measured them off with a cord. He measured off with two lengths those to be put to death, and with one length those to be spared. So the Moabites became subject to David and brought him tribute. / David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, who had marched out to restore his dominion along the Euphrates River. ...

2 Kings 19:35
And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies!

1 Chronicles 18:1-13
Some time later, David defeated the Philistines, subdued them, and took Gath and its villages from the hand of the Philistines. / David also defeated the Moabites, and they became subject to David and brought him tribute. / As far as Hamath, David also defeated King Hadadezer of Zobah, who had marched out to establish his dominion along the Euphrates River. ...

Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...

Joshua 10:9-10
After marching all night from Gilgal, Joshua caught them by surprise. / And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, pursued them along the ascent to Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.

2 Chronicles 20:22-24
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. / When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.

Psalm 18:37-42
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet. / You have armed me with strength for battle; You have subdued my foes beneath me. ...

Psalm 44:5
Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.

Romans 8:37
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.


Treasury of Scripture

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

And he.

Psalm 112:5
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

smote.

Isaiah 41:2,3
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow…

Damascus.

Deuteronomy 15:2
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.

1 Kings 15:18
Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,

Acts 9:2
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

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Abram Attack Damascus Defeated Divided Divideth Far Flight Forces Hand Night North Overcame Pursued Pursueth Pursuing Putting Routed Separating Servants Smiteth Smote Struck
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Abram Attack Damascus Defeated Divided Divideth Far Flight Forces Hand Night North Overcame Pursued Pursueth Pursuing Putting Routed Separating Servants Smiteth Smote Struck
Genesis 14
1. The battle of four kings against the king of Sodom and his allies.
12. Lot is taken prisoner.
14. Abram rescues him.
17. Melchizedek blesses Abram, who gives him tithes.
21. Abram restores the rest of the spoil to the king of Sodom.














During the night
The phrase "during the night" indicates a strategic and unexpected attack. In ancient warfare, night attacks were rare due to the lack of visibility and the high risk of confusion. Abram's decision to attack at night demonstrates his wisdom and reliance on God's guidance. The Hebrew word for "night" (לַיְלָה, laylah) often symbolizes a time of divine intervention or significant change, suggesting that God was actively involved in Abram's victory.

Abram divided his forces
Abram's division of his forces shows his tactical acumen. The Hebrew root for "divided" (חָלַק, chalaq) implies a careful and deliberate distribution of resources. This action reflects Abram's leadership and trust in God's promise to protect and bless him. It also highlights the importance of preparation and strategy in fulfilling God's purposes.

and routed them
The term "routed" indicates a decisive victory. The Hebrew word used here (נָכָה, nakah) can mean to strike or defeat. This victory was not just a military success but a fulfillment of God's promise to bless those who bless Abram and curse those who curse him (Genesis 12:3). It underscores the theme of divine justice and protection for God's chosen people.

pursuing them as far as Hobah
The pursuit "as far as Hobah" shows Abram's determination to completely defeat the enemy. Hobah, identified in historical records as a location north of Damascus, signifies the extent of Abram's commitment to rescuing Lot and defeating the kings. This relentless pursuit reflects the biblical principle of perseverance in the face of adversity, trusting in God's strength to achieve victory.

north of Damascus
The mention of "north of Damascus" provides a geographical context that situates the event in a real historical setting. Damascus, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities, was a significant location in the ancient Near East. This reference not only authenticates the historical accuracy of the narrative but also emphasizes the far-reaching impact of Abram's actions. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His ability to use His people to influence the world.

(15) Hobah . . . on the left hand of Damascus.--That is, to the north, as the Hebrews looked eastward in defining the quarters of the heaven. The victory had thus been followed up with great energy, the pursuit having lasted, according to Josephus, the whole of the next day and night after that on which the attack was made. At Hobah the mountains cease, and the great plain of Damascus begins, and further pursuit was therefore useless.

Verse 15. - And he divided himself (i.e. his forces) against them, he and his servants (along with the troops of his allies), by night, and (falling on them unexpectedly from different quarters) smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah. A place Choba is mentioned in Judith 15:5 as that to which the Assyrians were pursued by the victorious Israelites. A village of the same name existed near Damascus in the time of Eusebius, and is "probably preserved in the village Hoba, mentioned by Troilo, a quarter of a mile to the north of Damascus" (Keil); or in that of Hobah, two miles outside the walls (Stanley, ' Syria and Palestine,' 414, k.), or in Burzeh, where there is a Moslem wady, or saint's tomb, called the sanctuary of Abraham (Porter's 'Handbook,' p. 492). Which is to the left of (i.e. to the north of, the spectator being supposed to look eastward) Damascus. The metropolis of Syria, on the river Chrysorrhoas, in a large and fertile plain at the foot of Antilibanus, the oldest existing city in the world, being possessed at the present day of 150,000 inhabitants.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
During the night,
לַ֛יְלָה (lay·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

[Abram]
ה֥וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

divided
וַיֵּחָלֵ֨ק (way·yê·ḥā·lêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2505: To be smooth, to apportion, separate

his forces
וַעֲבָדָ֖יו (wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and routed [Chedorlaomer’s army],
וַיַּכֵּ֑ם (way·yak·kêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

pursuing
וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵם֙ (way·yir·də·p̄êm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

them as
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

far as Hobah,
חוֹבָ֔ה (ḥō·w·ḇāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2327: Hobah -- a place North of Damascus

north
מִשְּׂמֹ֖אל (miś·śə·mōl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

of Damascus.
לְדַמָּֽשֶׂק׃ (lə·ḏam·mā·śeq)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1834: Damascus -- a city in Aram (Syria)


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OT Law: Genesis 14:15 He divided himself against them by night (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 14:14
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