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Postanak 14

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1 Kad Amrafel bijaše kralj Šineara, Ariok kralj Elasara, Kedor-Laomer kralj Elama, Tidal kralj Gojima,

2 povedoše oni rat protiv Bere, kralja Sodome, Birše, kralja Gomore, Šinaba, kralja Adme, Šemebera, kralja Sebojima, i protiv kralja u Beli, to jest Soaru.

3 I vojske se sliju u dolinu Sidim, gdje je danas Slano more.

4 Dvanaest su godina služili Kedor-Laomera, ali trinaeste godine dignu se na ustanak.

5 U četrnaestoj godini digne se Kedor-Laomer i kraljevi koji su bili s njim te potuku Refaimce u Ašterot Karnajimu, Zuzijce u Hamu, Emijce na ravnici Kirjatajimu,

6 Horijce u brdskom kraju Seiru, blizu El Parana, koji je uz pustinju.

7 Onda se povuku natrag i stignu u En Mišpat, to jest Kadeš, i pokore sve krajeve Amalečana i Amorejaca, koji su nastavali Haseson Tamar.

8 Zatim istupi kralj Sodome, kralj Gomore, kralj Adme, kralj Sebojima i kralj Bele, odnosno Soara, te zapodjenu borbu protiv onih u dolini Sidimu:

9 Kedor-Laomera, kralja Elama, Tidala, kralja Gojima, Amrafela, kralja Šineara, Arioka, kralja Elasara - četiri kralja protiv pet.

10 Dolina Sidim bila je puna provalija s paklinom, pa kraljevi Sodome i Gomore, na bijegu, u njih poskaču, a ostali izmaknu u planine.

11 Pobjednici pokupe sve blago po Sodomi i Gomori i svu hranu pa odu.

12 Pograbe i Lota, Abramova bratića - i on je živio u Sodomi - i njegovo blago pa otiđu.

13 A bjegunac neki - rođak Eškola i Anera, Abramovih saveznika - donese vijest Abramu Hebrejcu dok je boravio kod hrasta Amorejske Mamre.

14 Kad je Abram čuo da mu je bratić zarobljen, skupi svoju momčad - rođenu u njegovu domu - njih trista osamnaest, pa pođe u potjeru do Dana.

15 Podijeli svoje momke u dvije čete, napadne noću te one potuče. Progonio ih je do Hobe, sjeverno od Damaska.

16 Povrati sve blago, svoga bratića Lota i njegovo blago, žene i ostali svijet.

17 Pošto se vratio, porazivši Kedor-Laomera i kraljeve koji su bili s njim, u susret mu, u dolinu Šave, to jest u Kraljev dol, iziđe kralj Sodome.

18 A Melkisedek, kralj Šalema, iznese kruha i vina. On je bio svećenik Boga Svevišnjega.

19 Blagoslovi ga govoreći: "Od Boga Svevišnjega, Stvoritelja neba i zemlje, neka je Abramu blagoslov!

20 I Svevišnji Bog, što ti u ruke preda neprijatelje, hvaljen bio!" Abram mu dade desetinu od svega.

21 Tada kralj Sodome reče Abramu: "Meni daj ljude, a dobra uzmi sebi!"

22 Abram odgovori kralju Sodome: "Ruku uzdižem pred Jahvom, Svevišnjim Stvoriteljem neba i zemlje,

23 da neću uzeti ni končića, ni remena od obuće, niti išta što je tvoje da ne kažeš: na meni se Abram obogatio.

24 Ne, meni ništa, osim što su moji momci upotrijebili; i dio za momčad što je sa mnom išla: Aner, Eškol i Mamre, oni neka uzmu svoj dio."

   

From Swedenborg's Works

 

Arcana Coelestia #1726

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1726. That 'king of Salem' means a state of peace as regards interior or rational things is clear from the meaning of 'Salem'. Salem in the original language means peace, and also perfection, and thus [in the internal sense] means a state of peace and a state of perfection. A state of peace is the state of the Lord's kingdom. In that state celestial and spiritual things, which are the Lord's, exist so to speak in their early morning and their spring-time, for that peace is like the dawn that breaks in the early morning, and the new life that comes in spring-time. The dawn and the spring cause everything that reaches the senses at those times to be full of joy and gladness; every object draws forth a particular affection from one's general affection for the dawn and the spring. So it is with the state of peace in the Lord's kingdom. In a state of peace everything celestial or spiritual exists so to speak in its early morn or spring-time blossom and cheer, that is, in its very happiness. Such is the manner in which the state of peace affects each particular thing, for the Lord is Peace itself. The same is also meant by 'Salem' in David,

In Judah is God known; in Israel His name is great, and in Salem is His tabernacle, and His dwelling-place in Zion. Psalms 76:1-2.

While a person is undergoing the conflicts brought about by temptations the Lord grants him by turns a state of peace, and so refreshes him. A state of peace is meant here by 'Salem' and also by 'the bread and wine' mentioned next, which means celestial and spiritual things and thus a state of celestial and spiritual things in peace, which state is refreshment itself.

  
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Thanks to the Swedenborg Society for the permission to use this translation.