Two kings approach Abraham at the Valley of Shaveh. Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings out bread and wine to welcome Abraham who has just returned from the war. He blesses God and Abraham, ensuring that Abraham knows that God “has delivered your foes into your hand”. Another king greets Abraham and that is Bera, king of Sodom. Bera who was also a captive during the war offers Abraham a tempting deal: “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”(Gen.14:21). Why do these two kings, representing completely different values, appear here together?
The story becomes much clearer when read in Hebrew. The meeting takes place at the Valley of Shaveh, and the Hebrew rootשוה (shaveh) has two main meanings: equal and worth. The name “Melchizedek” is a transliteration of the Hebrew מַלְכִּי־צֶדֶֿק (malki-tzedek), “my king is righteousness”. The name Bera – בֶּ-רַע means “with evil”. Thus, the Hebrew makes it apparent that it is here, at this Valley, that Abraham had to choose between righteousness and evil.
Abraham did not accept Bera's tempting offer and had passed yet another test of faith. He did not choose between offers but rather between two paths. It was a choice between a man of matter and a man of faith. Abraham has determined the fate of the Israeli nation by choosing Malchizedek's blessing of God. This is an example of how you can rediscover the Hebrew Bible with our online course. Enroll today and understand the stories that you thought you knew from a whole new perspective.
