Study Desk

But one of Lot's men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram's allies.

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.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."

But Abram replied, "O Sovereign Lord , what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since you've given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.

But Abram replied, "O Sovereign Lord , how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?"

Some vultures swooped down to eat the carcasses, but Abram chased them away.

But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.

Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar.

So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.

Then Sarai said to Abram, "This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she's pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who's wrong—you or me!"

From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased.

Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. "How could I become a father at the age of 100?" he thought. "And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?"

But God replied, "No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.

But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year."

Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, "I didn't laugh." But the Lord said, "No, you did laugh."

The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham.

Then Abraham spoke again. "Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.

But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate.

But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house.

Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection."