Lives of Scripture
Eshcol (M)
First named in Genesis 14:13-24
Eshcol was an Amorite chieftain who lived near Hebron, one of three brothers -- along with Mamre and Aner -- who were allies of Abram (Genesis 14:13). When Chedorlaomer and three confederate kings swept through the region, plundering Sodom and Gomorrah and carrying off captives, including Abram's nephew Lot, Abram mobilized 318 of his own trained men and pursued the raiders north as far as Dan and beyond Damascus, routing them by night and recovering the captives and the goods (14:14-16). Eshcol and his brothers are named as Abram's confederates in this account, allied with him in the region. Afterward, when Melchizedek king of Salem blessed Abram and Abram gave him a tenth of everything, the king of Sodom offered Abram the recovered goods for himself. Abram refused to take so much as a thread or a sandal strap, unwilling to let anyone say the king of Sodom had made him rich -- but he made one exception: "the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, let them take their share" (14:24). Eshcol's brief appearance shows a man of quiet integrity, content to receive only what was justly his, standing loyally with Abram in a dangerous rescue without seeking personal gain beyond it.
Thought for Today
Eshcol stood loyally with Abram in a dangerous rescue, content to receive only what was justly his. Jesus calls us to the same quiet, faithful integrity.
References: Genesis 14:13-24
Genealogy
Father
—Mother
—Spouse(s)
—Children
—Connections
- Aner (M) ↔ joined Abram's rescue campaign ↔ Eshcol (M)
Aner and Eshcol, along with their brother Mamre, were named allies of Abram who joined him and his 318 trained men in pursuing the eastern kings who had carried off Lot and the plunder of Sodom; after the victory, Abram made sure Aner and Eshcol received their rightful share of the recovered goods.
Genesis 14:13-16; Genesis 14:24
- Eshcol (M) ↔ joined Abram's rescue campaign ↔ Mamre (M)
Eshcol and Mamre, together with their brother Aner, were named allies of Abram who joined him in pursuing the eastern kings who had carried off Lot; after Abram's victory, he insisted that Eshcol and Mamre receive their rightful share of the recovered plunder even though he took nothing for himself.
Genesis 14:13-16; Genesis 14:24