Difference between revisions of "Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story/2"
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<li><b>Amon, Moav, and Seir</b> – Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto further point out how Avraham also gained rights to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants, the progeny of Lot and Esav.  In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered - the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim and Hori.<fn>This position, thus, clearly explains the necessity of these seemingly extraneous details.  It further explains why Devarim 2, when warning the nation that they are not to inherit the lands of Seir, Amon, or Moav, similarly mentions all these people who had previously settled in these lands, but were then kicked out.  Devarim is presumably alluding back to the story of Bereshit 14, when these lands were initially conquered by the four kings and then inherited from them by Avraham to ultimately be the possession of his descendants.</fn>  Thus, here, too, the chapter is emphasizing Avraham's gaining of historical sovereignty.</li> | <li><b>Amon, Moav, and Seir</b> – Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto further point out how Avraham also gained rights to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants, the progeny of Lot and Esav.  In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered - the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim and Hori.<fn>This position, thus, clearly explains the necessity of these seemingly extraneous details.  It further explains why Devarim 2, when warning the nation that they are not to inherit the lands of Seir, Amon, or Moav, similarly mentions all these people who had previously settled in these lands, but were then kicked out.  Devarim is presumably alluding back to the story of Bereshit 14, when these lands were initially conquered by the four kings and then inherited from them by Avraham to ultimately be the possession of his descendants.</fn>  Thus, here, too, the chapter is emphasizing Avraham's gaining of historical sovereignty.</li> | ||
</ul></point> | </ul></point> | ||
− | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – <p>Devarim 2, when warning the nation that they are not to inherit the lands of Seir, Amon, or Moav, similarly mentions all the nations (Refaim, Zuzim etc.) who had previously settled in these lands,<fn>See Devarim 2:10-12 and 20-22.</fn> but were then kicked out.  Devarim is presumably alluding back to Bereshit 14 | + | <point><b>Biblical parallels</b> – <p>Devarim 2, when warning the nation that they are not to inherit the lands of Seir, Amon, or Moav, similarly mentions all the nations (Refaim, Zuzim etc.) who had previously settled in these lands,<fn>See Devarim 2:10-12 and 20-22.</fn> but were then kicked out.  Devarim is presumably alluding back to Bereshit 14 so as to explain how Avraham's descendants came to possess these lands - through Avraham's conquest.</p></point> |
<point><b>Extraneous details</b> – According to R. Ashkenazi's varaition of this approach, the details are essential to the story's message and proof of possession.</point> | <point><b>Extraneous details</b> – According to R. Ashkenazi's varaition of this approach, the details are essential to the story's message and proof of possession.</point> | ||
</category> | </category> |
Version as of 06:59, 28 October 2014
Battle of the Kings – Purpose of the Story
Exegetical Approaches
Avraham's Exceptional Qualities
The story serves to highlights how Avraham was exceptional not only in his beliefs but in his other attributes as well. The inclusion of the episode helps the reader to better appreciate Avraham's greatness and sets him as a role model to emulate.
The commentators differ regarding what specific characteristics of Avraham the chapter highlights:
- Military Might – According to R. Bachya and Abarbanel, Avraham's victory over the kings revealed both his bravery and his capabilities as a military strategist and warrior.1
- Loyalty – Alternatively, Radak, Ralbag, Abarbanel and R. D"Z Hoffmann assert that the story teaches the importance of remaining loyal to one's family. Even though Lot had decided to leave Avraham, Avraham was willing to risk his life to save him.
- Selflessness – Ralbag, Abarbanel and R. D"Z Hoffmann also point to Avraham's decision not to take from the spoils of battle as evidence of both Avraham's generosity and his recognition that all really belongs to Hashem. In light of the norms of the Ancient Near East in which the victor took the spoils of battle, Avraham is unique.2
Sign for the Future
Avraham's victory over the four kings foreshadowed Israel's future victory over the four kingdoms: Bavel, Media, Greece and Rome. The import of the episode, thus, lies in its major impact on the future of the Israelite nation rather than its contribution to the portrait of Avraham.
Fulfillment of Hashem's Promise
The battle of the kings provides the backdrop for the actualization of Hashem's promise to Avraham, "לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת". The story is not out of place at all, but rather connects directly to the promises of the surrounding chapters.
- Israel's Conquest – R. Hirsch and Cassuto point out that through Avraham's victory over the four kings, he effectively gained control over the entire land of Canaan. He chases the kings from the south all the way to Damesek,6 inheriting the land from them, and thus staking out Israel's future rights to Israel.
- Amon, Moav, and Seir – Ma'asei Hashem and Cassuto further point out how Avraham also gained rights to the lands east of the Jordan which were to go to his other descendants, the progeny of Lot and Esav. In conquering the four kings, Avraham inherited all that they had previously conquered - the lands of the Refaim, Zuzim, Eimim and Hori.7 Thus, here, too, the chapter is emphasizing Avraham's gaining of historical sovereignty.
Devarim 2, when warning the nation that they are not to inherit the lands of Seir, Amon, or Moav, similarly mentions all the nations (Refaim, Zuzim etc.) who had previously settled in these lands,8 but were then kicked out. Devarim is presumably alluding back to Bereshit 14 so as to explain how Avraham's descendants came to possess these lands - through Avraham's conquest.
Vulnerability of Israel
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