Unit 5: After the Confusion

Transcription

1 T h e A r t i o s H o m e C o m p a n i o n S e r i e s Unit 5: After the Confusion T e a c h e r O v e r v i e w Abraham is one of the greatest figures in history When Abraham appeared, the nations then existing were more or less given to idolatry, worshiping the heavenly bodies, the forces of nature, animals, heroes, graven images, or their own ancestors The history of Abram until his supreme trial was characterized by repeated covenants with God, accompanied by promises of the future greatness of his descendants Israel s greatness was to be moral and spiritual rather than material or intellectual, as the center of a new religious life which would culminate at the proper time in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. John Lord, Beacon Lights of History Vocabulary Lesson 1: Lesson 2: none caste hieroglyphic Lesson 3: hieratic none papyrus Lesson 4: none Key People, Places, and Events Abram/Abraham Lot Sarai/Sarah Melchizedek Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness and he was called a friend of God James 2:23 Reading and Assignments In this unit, students will: Complete four lessons in which they will learn about the life and calling of Abraham, journaling and answering discussion questions as they read. Define vocabulary words. Page 60

2 Explore the following websites: Interactive Journey of Abraham Additional Interactive Map of Journey of Abraham Egyptian Tomb Adventure Ancient Egypt Visit for additional resources. Leading Ideas God will accomplish His purpose. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. Romans 4:20-21 There is a certainty to God s promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, Surely I will bless you and multiply you. And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:13-18 Page 61

3 L e s s o n O n e H i s t o r y O v e r v i e w a n d A s s i g n m e n t s The Call of Abraham Abram's Counsel to Sarai, by James Tissot ( ) Jacques Joseph Tissot (15 October August 1902), Anglicized as James Tissot, was a French painter and illustrator. Reading and Assignments Review the discussion questions, then read the article: Genesis 12. Narrate about today s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Using the map (from the Map Trek: Ancient World packet you purchased in Unit One) labeled Called out of Ur or Abraham s Journey, trace Abraham s journeys and locate where he and his nephew Lot finally settled. Explore the following websites: Interactive Journey of Abraham Additional Interactive Map of Journey of Abraham Visit for additional resources. Page 62

4 Key People, Places, and Events Abram/Abraham Lot Sarai/Sarah Discussion Questions 1. What promise did God make to Abram? 2. Where was Abram living when he received this promise? 3. Where did God tell him to go? 4. What was the promise God made? 5. What caused Abram to take his family into Egypt? 6. What instructions did he give to his wife and why? 7. Do you think it is ever permissible to lie? 8. How did God protect Abram and Sarai while in Egypt? Genesis 12 Genesis 12 1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. 4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. 6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him. 8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. 10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: 12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. Page 63

5 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. 14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. 17 And the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. 20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had. Page 64

6 L e s s o n T w o H i s t o r y O v e r v i e w a n d A s s i g n m e n t s Egypt and the Pharaohs Historic map of the River Nile by Piri Reis Reading and Assignments Review the discussion questions, then read the article: Egypt and the Pharaohs. Narrate about today s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Define the vocabulary words in the context of the reading and put the word and its definition in the vocabulary section of your history notebook. Write a five paragraph essay on the culture of Egypt as described in the article you read for today or answer the questions below. Visit for additional resources. Vocabulary caste hieroglyphic hieratic papyrus Discussion Questions 1. Describe, in detail, the religion of ancient Egypt. 2. Describe the laws and government of ancient Egypt. 3. What was the literary and artistic culture of ancient Egypt? Page 65

7 Adapted for Middle School from the book: Ancient States and Empires by John Lord Egypt and the Pharaohs The Original Inhabitants of Egypt The first country to which Moses refers in connection with the Hebrew history is Egypt. This favored land was the seat of one of the oldest monarchies of the world. Although it would seem that Assyria was peopled first, historians claim for Egypt a more remote antiquity. Whether this claim can be substantiated or not, it is certain that Egypt was one of the primeval seats of the race of Ham. Mizraim, the Scripture name for the country, indicates that it was settled by a descendant of Ham. But if this is true even, the tide of emigration from Armenia probably passed to the southeast through Syria and Palestine, and hence the descendants of Ham had probably occupied the land of Canaan before they crossed the desert between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. I doubt whether Egypt had older cities than Damascus, Hebron, Zoar, and Tyre. But Egypt certainly was a more powerful monarchy than any existing on the earth in the time of Abraham. Its language, traditions, and monuments alike point to a high antiquity. It was probably inhabited by a mixed race, Semitic as well as Hamite, though the latter had the supremacy. The distinction of castes indicates a mixed population, so that the ancients doubted whether Egypt belonged to Asia or Africa. The people were not black, but of a reddish color, with thick lips, straight black hair, and elongated eye, and sunk in the degraded superstitions of the African cultures. The Fertility of Egypt The geographical position indicates not only a high antiquity, but a state favorable to great national wealth and power. The river Nile, issuing from a great lake under the equator, runs 3,000 miles nearly due north to the Mediterranean. Its annual inundations covered the valley with a rich soil brought down from the mountains of Abyssinia, making it the most fertile in the world. The country, thus so favored by a great river with its rich alluvial deposits, is about 500 miles in length, with an area of 115,000 square miles, of which 9,600 are subject to the fertilizing inundation. But, in ancient times, a great part of the country was irrigated and abounded in orchards, gardens, and vineyards. Every kind of vegetable was cultivated, and grain was raised in the greatest abundance, so that the people lived in luxury and plenty while other nations were subject to occasional famines. Among the fruits were dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates, apricots, peaches, oranges, citrons, lemons, limes, bananas, melons, mulberries, and olives. Among vegetables, if we infer from those which exist at present, were beans, peas, lentils, spinach, leeks, onions, garlic, celery, chicory, radishes, carrots, turnips, lettuce, cabbage, fennel, gourds, cucumbers, tomatoes, and eggplant. What a variety for the sustenance of man, to say nothing of the various kinds of grain barley, oats, maize, rice, and especially wheat, which grows to the greatest perfection. Page 66

8 In old times the horses were famous, as well as cattle, and sheep, and poultry. Quails were abundant, while the marshes afforded every kind of web-footed fowl. Fish, too, abounded in the Nile, and in the lakes. Bees were kept, and honey was produced, though inferior to that of Greece. and their duties and labors were arduous. The priests were the real governing body and were treated with the most respectful homage. They were councilors of the king, judges of the land, and guardians of all great interests. The soldiers were also numerous, and they formed a distinct caste. Relief of Herodotus by Jean-Guillaume Moitte (1806) The Castes of Egypt The climate also of this fruitful land was wholesome without being wearying. The soil was capable of supporting a large population, which amounted, in the time of Herodotus, to seven million. On the banks of the Nile were great cities, whose ruins still astonish travelers. The land, except that owned by the priests, belonged to the king, who was supreme and unlimited in power. The people were divided into castes, the highest being priests and the lowest planters. The kingship was hereditary but belonged to the priesthood, Egyptian Dynasties Most classical authorities agree in ascribing to Menes (also called Narmer) the origination of the First Dynasty. Neither Menes nor his successors within this dynasty left any monuments. It is probable, however, that Memphis was built by them, and hieroglyphics may have been invented during their reigns. By the time Abram visited Egypt, impelled by the famine in Canaan, it was already a powerful monarchy. This was about 1921 years before Christ, according to the received chronology, when the kings of the Fifteenth Dynasty reigned. These dynasties of ancient kings are difficult to chronicle and rest mainly on the authority of Manetho, an Egyptian priest who lived nearly 300 years before Christ. His list of dynasties has been confirmed, to a great extent, by the hieroglyphic inscriptions which are still to be found on ancient monuments, but they give us only a barren catalogue of names without any vital historical truths. The Pyramids Nothing of interest occurs in Egyptian history until the Fourth Dynasty of kings, when the pyramids of Giza were supposed to have been built a period more remote than Scripture ascribes to the Flood itself, according to our received chronology. These were the tombs of the Memphian kings, who Page 67

9 believed in the immortality of the soul and its final reunion with the body after various forms of transmigration. Hence the determination to preserve the body in some enduring monument, and by elaborate embalmment. What more durable monument than these great masses of granite, built to defy the ravages of time and the spoliations of conquerors! The largest of these pyramids, towering above others and the lesser sepulchers of the rich, was built upon a square of 756 feet, and the height of it was 489 feet 9 inches, covering an area of 571,536 feet, or more than thirteen acres. The whole mass contained 90 million cubic feet of masonry, weighing 6,316,000 tons. Nearly in the center of this pile of stone, reached by a narrow passage, are the chambers where the royal sarcophagi were deposited. At whatever period these vast monuments were actually built, they go back at least into remote antiquity, and probably before the time of Abram. Thebes The first great name of the early Egyptian kings was Senusret I (also known as Sesostris I), co-regent with his father Amenemhat I, the founder of the Twelfth Dynasty of kings. Senusret was a great conqueror, and by the kings of this dynasty Ethiopia was conquered, the Labyrinth was built, and the Bahr Yussef canal was dug which widened Lake Moeris for the purpose of controlling the Nile inundations. Under them Thebes became a great city. The dynasty lasted 100 years but became subject to the Hyksos kings. These early Egyptian monarchs were fond of peace, and their subjects enjoyed repose and prosperity. The Shepherd Kings The Hyksos rulers, whose name was mistakenly translated by the ancient historian Josephus to mean Shepherd Kings, ruled Egypt for 400 years. In Egyptian the word Hyksos actually means rulers of foreign countries. The Hyksos were thought by Manetho to be Arabs, but modern scholarship points to Semites from the region of Canaan, who easily subdued the peaceful Egyptians. They left no monuments and were alien to the conquered race in language and habits. They probably settled in Lower Egypt where the land was most fertile, and where conquests would be most easily retained. It was probably under their rule that Abram visited Egypt when driven by a famine from Canaan, and it was under these Hyksos kings that the relations between Egypt and the Hebrew patriarchs took place. We infer this fact from the friendly interactions and absence of national prejudices. These Egyptian rulers were from the same Semitic stock from which Abraham came. They built no temples. They did not advance a material civilization. They were benefactors toward both Abram and Joseph, and accepted the latter as a minister and governor. We read of no great repulsion of races, and see a great similarity in pursuits. Expulsion of the Hyksos Kings Meanwhile, the descendants of the old kings lived in Thebes as tribute-paying princes for 400 years, but they finally gained sufficient strength to expel the Semite invaders, like the Gothic nations of Spain, in the Middle Ages, expelled their conquerors, the Moors. Page 68

10 These descendants gathered their strength through misfortune and subjection. They reigned, during five dynasties, as subjects to the Hyksos, oppressed and forced to pay tribute. The first king of the Eighteenth Dynasty seems to have been a remarkable man the deliverer of his nation. His name was Ahmose I, and he expelled the Hyksos from the greater part of Egypt sometime during the mid-sixteenth century B.C. Chariots and horses can be found on monuments from the time of his reign. He built temples both in Thebes and Memphis, and he established a navy. He was quite possibly the king who knew not Joseph. His successors continued the work of conquest, extended their dominion from Ethiopia to Mesopotamia, and seized that part of Western Asia formerly held by the Chaldeans. They built the temple of Karnak, the Colossus of Memnon (one of whose statues is called the Vocal Memnon, marveled at in antiquity for emitting sound when struck by the rays of the rising sun), and the Avenue of Sphinxes in Thebes. Greatness of Rameses II The grandest period of Egyptian history begins with the Nineteenth Dynasty, founded by Rameses I around 1292 B.C. The famous Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Karnak was built during this dynasty, along with the finest of the tombs of the Theban kings. On the walls of the great temple are depicted the conquests of Seti I, especially over the Hittites. But the glories of the monarchy, now decidedly military, culminated with Rameses II. He extended his dominion as far as Scythia and Thrace, while his naval expeditions penetrated to the Erythræan Sea (now the northwestern portion of the Indian Ocean). The captives he brought from his wars were employed in digging canals, which intersected the country for purposes of irrigation, and especially that great canal which united the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. He added to the temple of Karnak, built the Ramesseum, and enlarged the Temple of Ptah at Memphis, which he adorned by a beautiful colossal statue, the fist of which is thirty inches wide across the knuckles. But the Ramesseum, his memorial temple, was his greatest architectural work. Behind an avenue of sphinxes and obelisks stands great statue of Rameses himself, sixty-two feet high, carved from a single stone of the red granite of Syene. Statue of Ramses II Decline of Thebes The Twentieth Dynasty was founded by Setnakhte, in B.C. 1187, close to the time when Gideon is thought to have ruled the Israelites and the legendary Theseus was said to rule at Athens, along with Priam at Troy. The second pharaoh of this dynasty, Rameses III, built palaces and tombs scarcely inferior to any of the Theban kings, but under his successors the Theban power declined. Under the Twenty-first Dynasty, which began in B.C. 1077, Lower Egypt had Page 69

11 a new capital, Tanis, and gradually extended its power over Upper Egypt. It had a strong Semitic element in its population and strengthened itself by alliances with the Assyrians. The Twenty-second Dynasty was probably Assyrian, and began about 943 B.C. It was hostile to the Jews, and took and sacked Jerusalem. Obscurity of Egyptian History From this period the history of Egypt is obscure. Ruled by Assyrians and then by Ethiopians, the grandeur of the old Theban monarchy had passed away. Upon the rise of the Babylonian kingdom over the ruins of the old Assyrian Empire, Egypt was greatly prostrated as a military power. Babylon became the great monarchy of the East and gained possession of all the territories of the Theban kings, from the Euphrates to the Nile. Leaving, then, the obscure political history of Egypt, which presents nothing of special interest until its conquest by Alexander in B.C. 332, we will present a brief cultural history on their religion, manners, customs, and attainments. Religion The religion of the ancient Egyptians was idolatrous. They worshiped various divinities, such as Amun (king of the gods, one of the creators and later combined with Ra), Khnum (another creator as well as god of the Nile flood), Ptah (god of craftsmen), Ra (the sun god), Thoth (patron of letters), Osiris (god of the dead and personification of good), Isis (protective goddess who presided over funeral rites), and Set (god of chaos and personification of evil). These deities were worshiped through sacred animals as emblems of divinity, including the bull, crocodile, asp, cat, and beetle. The worship of these and of other animals was conducted with great ceremony, and sacrifices were made to them of other animals, fruits and vegetables. Man was held accountable for his actions, and to be judged according to them. He was to be brought before Osiris and receive from him future rewards or punishments. Laws The penal laws of the Egyptians were severe. Murder was punished by death. Adultery was penalized by the man being beaten with a thousand rods. The woman had her nose cut off. Theft was punished with less severity with a beating by a stick. Usury was not permitted beyond double repayment of the debt, and the debtor was not imprisoned. Government and Lifestyle The government was a monarchy, only limited by the priesthood, into whose order the pharaoh was received, and was administered by men appointed by the king. Polygamy was not common, although concubines were allowed. In the upper classes women were treated with great respect and were regarded as the equals of men. They ruled their households. The rich were hospitable and delighted to give feasts, at which dancers and musicians performed. They possessed chariots and horses, and were indolent and pleasure-seeking. The poor people toiled, with scanty clothing and poor fare. Page 70

12 Literary and Artistic Culture Hieroglyphic writing prevailed from a remote antiquity. The papyrus was also used for hieratic (cursive) writing, and numerous papyri have been discovered which show some advance in literature. Astronomy was cultivated by the priests and was carried to the highest point it could attain without modern instruments. Geometry also reached considerable perfection. Mechanics must have been developed to a great extent, when we remember that vast blocks of stone were transported 500 miles and elevated to enormous heights. Chemistry was made subservient to many arts, such as the working of metals and the tempering of steel. But architecture was the great art in which the Egyptians excelled, as we infer from the ruins of temples and palaces, and their wonderful walls were ornamented with paintings, some of which have preserved their color to this day. Architecture was massive, grand, and imposing. Magical arts were in held in high regard and practiced chiefly by the priests. The industrial arts reached great excellence, especially in the weaving of linen, pottery, and household furniture. Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic inscriptions on a column in the Karnak Temple complex, Egypt The Egyptians were great musicians, using harps, flutes, cymbals, and drums. They also excelled as gardeners. In their dress they were simple, frugal in diet (though given to occasional excess), fond of war but not cruel like the Assyrians, hospitable among themselves, wary of strangers, patriotic in feeling, and contemplative in character. Page 71

13 L e s s o n T h r e e H i s t o r y O v e r v i e w a n d A s s i g n m e n t s The Well-Watered Plain Discussion Questions 1. What was Abram s economic status? 2. What caused Abram to consider splitting away from Lot? 3. What part of the land did Lot choose and why? 4. What cities were located in the region that Lot chose? 5. What promise did God make with Abram about the land? 6. How did Abram respond? 7. If you were asked by God to move to a land you had never seen and you had no idea why, how do you think you would respond? 8. What character trait is Abram known for in Scripture? Abraham went out moved by faith Reading and Assignments Review the discussion questions, then read the article: Genesis 13:1-18. Narrate about today s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Be sure to visit for additional resources. Key People, Places, and Events Abram/Abraham Lot Page 72

14 Genesis 13:1-18 Genesis 13 1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. 14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord. Page 73

15 L e s s o n F o u r H i s t o r y O v e r v i e w a n d A s s i g n m e n t s By Faith Abraham Key People, Places, and Events Abram/Abraham Lot Melchizedek Discussion Questions Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them 1. Why was Abram questioning God s promise of a son? 2. How did Abram respond to God s reassurance? 3. Verse 6 says, And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. What do you believe it means? 4. Have you ever had a time when you felt you had to walk by faith? Describe that time. 5. Who do you think Melchizedek was? Reading and Assignments Review the discussion questions, then read the article: Genesis 14 Genesis 15. Narrate about today s reading using the appropriate notebook page. Be sure to answer the discussion questions and include key people, events, and dates within the narration. Be sure to visit for additional resources. Genesis 14 Genesis 15 Genesis 14 1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. Page 74

16 3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. 4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 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 Emins in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness. 7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar. 8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; 9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five. 10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. 11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15 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. 16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. 22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: 24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion. Page 75

17 Genesis 15 1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. 2 And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? 3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. 4 And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. 7 And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. 8 And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? 9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. Page 76