Genesis 14:15 - Avram's midnight battle victory

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Hebrew Text

וַיֵּחָלֵק עֲלֵיהֶם לַיְלָה הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו וַיַּכֵּם וַיִּרְדְּפֵם עַד־חוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר מִשְּׂמֹאל לְדַמָּשֶׂק׃

English Translation

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

Transliteration

Vayechalek aleihem layla hu va'avadav vayakem vayirdofem ad-Hovah asher misemol l'Damesek.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּחָלֵ֨ק עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם ׀ לַ֛יְלָה ה֥וּא וַעֲבָדָ֖יו וַיַּכֵּ֑ם וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵם֙ עַד־חוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִשְּׂמֹ֖אל לְדַמָּֽשֶׂק׃

Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereishit 14:15) describes Avraham Avinu's military campaign to rescue his nephew Lot, who had been captured during the war of the four kings against the five kings. Avraham and his small force of 318 trained men (or, according to some interpretations, just his trusted servant Eliezer, as the gematria of "Eliezer" equals 318) launched a surprise attack against the victorious armies.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that Avraham divided his forces into multiple groups to attack the enemy from different directions at night, creating the impression of a larger army. This strategy caused confusion among the enemy ranks, leading to their defeat. Rashi also notes that the phrase "he and his servants" emphasizes that Avraham himself participated in the battle, showing his personal courage and leadership.

Geographical Interpretation

The location "Ḥova which is on the left hand of Dammeseq" is understood by commentators in several ways:

Radak: Identifies Ḥova as a place north of Damascus, indicating how far Avraham pursued the fleeing enemy.
Ramban: Suggests this demonstrates the completeness of Avraham's victory, as he chased the enemy forces a great distance from the original battle site near Sodom.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 43:4) highlights the miraculous nature of this victory:

Avraham's small force defeated armies that had just conquered five powerful kings.
The night attack was divinely assisted, as indicated by the use of the term "layla" (night), which our sages associate with times of divine intervention.

Spiritual Lessons

The verse teaches several important principles:

Mesirut Nefesh: Avraham risked his life to save his nephew, demonstrating the importance of family responsibility.
Divine Assistance: The success against overwhelming odds shows that when one acts for righteous purposes, Hashem provides help.
Military Strategy: The Torah validates the use of wisdom and tactics in warfare, as Avraham didn't rely solely on miracles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of Genesis 14:15?
A: Genesis 14:15 describes how Avraham (Abraham) and his servants launched a surprise nighttime attack against the four kings who had captured his nephew Lot. According to Rashi, this verse shows Avraham's bravery and strategic wisdom in dividing his forces to defeat a larger enemy. The victory demonstrated divine assistance in Avraham's mission.

Q: Why is Avraham's nighttime attack important?
A: The nighttime attack is significant because it shows Avraham's complete trust in Hashem despite being outnumbered. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 43:3) explains that Avraham chose to attack at night because he wanted to minimize bloodshed - the darkness would cause confusion and allow many enemies to flee rather than be killed in battle.

Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 14:15?
A: We learn several important lessons: 1) The value of taking initiative to help others (Avraham risked himself to save Lot), 2) That with faith in Hashem, even seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished, and 3) The importance of strategic thinking in fulfilling mitzvot, as shown by Avraham's careful battle plan.

Q: Where is 'Hova' mentioned in Genesis 14:15?
A: Hova (חובה) was a location north of Damascus. Rashi explains that Avraham pursued the kings until this point, showing his determination to completely remove the threat. The Ramban notes that this demonstrates how Avraham didn't stop until he had fully accomplished his mission of rescuing Lot and defeating the enemy forces.

Q: How does Genesis 14:15 relate to Jewish values today?
A: This verse teaches contemporary values including: 1) The obligation to help family members in need (pidyon shevuyim - redeeming captives), 2) That we should use wisdom and strategy when performing mitzvot, not just good intentions, and 3) That we must have bitachon (trust in Hashem) when facing challenges, knowing that divine help comes to those acting with righteous purpose.