Genesis 14:4-5

14:4 For twelve years they had served Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 14:5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings who were his allies came and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

Joshua 9:9-11

9:9 They told him, “Your subjects have come from a very distant land because of the reputation of the Lord your God, for we have heard the news about all he did in Egypt 9:10 and all he did to the two Amorite kings on the other side of the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan in Ashtaroth. 9:11 Our leaders and all who live in our land told us, ‘Take provisions for your journey and go meet them. Tell them, “We are willing to be your subjects. Make a treaty with us.”’

Joshua 9:2

9:2 they formed an alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.

Joshua 10:19

10:19 But don’t you delay! Chase your enemies and catch them! 10  Don’t allow them to retreat to 11  their cities, for the Lord your God is handing them over to you.” 12 

Joshua 10:1

Israel Defeats an Amorite Coalition

10:1 Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, 13  heard how Joshua captured Ai and annihilated it and its king as he did Jericho 14  and its king. 15  He also heard how 16  the people of Gibeon made peace with Israel and lived among them.

Joshua 20:1

Israel Designates Cities of Refuge

20:1 The Lord instructed Joshua:

Joshua 20:1

Israel Designates Cities of Refuge

20:1 The Lord instructed Joshua:

Psalms 18:39

18:39 You give me strength 17  for battle;

you make my foes kneel before me. 18 

Psalms 18:44

18:44 When they hear of my exploits, they submit to me. 19 

Foreigners are powerless 20  before me;

Isaiah 10:8

10:8 Indeed, 21  he says:

“Are not my officials all kings?


tn The sentence simply begins with “twelve years”; it serves as an adverbial accusative giving the duration of their bondage.

tn This is another adverbial accusative of time.

sn The story serves as a foreshadowing of the plight of the kingdom of Israel later. Eastern powers came and forced the western kingdoms into submission. Each year, then, they would send tribute east – to keep them away. Here, in the thirteenth year, they refused to send the tribute (just as later Hezekiah rebelled against Assyria). And so in the fourteenth year the eastern powers came to put them down again. This account from Abram’s life taught future generations that God can give victory over such threats – that people did not have to live in servitude to tyrants from the east.

tn The Hebrew verb נָכָה (nakhah) means “to attack, to strike, to smite.” In this context it appears that the strike was successful, and so a translation of “defeated” is preferable.

tn Or “servants.”

tn Heb “name.”

tn Heb “the report about him, all that he did in Egypt.”

tn Heb “your servants.”

tn Heb “they gathered together to fight against Joshua and Israel [with] one mouth.”

10 tn Heb “But [as for] you, don’t stand still, chase after your enemies and attack them from the rear.”

11 tn Or “enter into.”

12 tn Heb “has given them into your hand.” The verbal form is a perfect of certitude, emphasizing the certainty of the action.

13 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

14 map For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.

15 tn Heb “as he had done to Jericho and to its king, so he did to Ai and to its king.”

16 tn Heb “and how.”

17 tn Heb “clothed me.” See v. 32.

18 tn Heb “you make those who rise against me kneel beneath me.”

19 tn Heb “at a report of an ear they submit to me.” The report of the psalmist’s exploits is so impressive that those who hear it submit to his rulership without putting up a fight.

20 tn For the meaning “be weak, powerless” for כָּחַשׁ (kakhash), see Ps 109:24. The next line (see v. 45a), in which “foreigners” are also mentioned, favors this interpretation. Another option is to translate “cower in fear” (see Deut 33:29; Pss 66:3; 81:15; cf. NIV “cringe”; NRSV “came cringing”).

21 tn Or “For” (KJV, ASV, NASB, NRSV).