What Does Genesis 14:24 Mean in the King James?
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The repeated word for “portion” makes Abram’s refusal exact: he gives up his claim without taking away anyone else’s.
THE MEANING
The verse holds two things together now: one person can refuse a gain while those beside him still receive what belongs to them. The food already eaten and the allies’ portions remain distinct claims. A refusal does not absorb another person’s share.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that one person’s refusal of a reward cancels everyone else’s right to receive their share.
THE ROOT
חֵלֶק
ḥēleq
GROWS FROM
ח־ל־ק
ḥ-l-q
To divide or apportion; a share assigned from a whole.
The verse names the food consumed and the allies’ share with the same word, חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, portion). The word points to an allotted share, so Abram’s refusal of his own claim leaves their portions intact.
ALSO GROWS
ḥālaq: To divide, distribute, or apportion.
חָלַק
The verb shows the action beneath a portion: a whole is divided so each share can be recognized.
ḥelqāh: A parcel or plot of land; a portion of a field.
חֶלְקָה
This branch makes a portion concrete: it can be a distinct share of something larger, just as the allies’ share remains distinct from Abram’s.
THE PATTERN
Shared labor creates distinct claims to provision, and one person’s claim does not erase another’s.
For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.THE THREAD
The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.The same Hebrew word, חֵלֶק (ḥēleq, portion), appears in both verses. Here it marks the allies’ material share; in the psalm, the speaker names the LORD as his portion, widening the word from an allotted share to the ground of an inheritance.
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