Abstract

As stated in the title, the purpose of this thesis is to determine the meaning of Genesis 14 in its canonical context. This perspective has been lacking in scholarship. While scholars past and present have focused on the understanding of shalem as Jerusalem and thus on the Melchizedek episode; this study, however, intends to demonstrate that the meaning is, in fact, connected to chapter 13. In light if this, an analyses of both the unity within the chapter as well as within the Genesis corpus will be examined. Additionally, the word shalem will be examined in order to determine whether an association with Jerusalem is certain. Finally, an alternative interpretation will be presented with the aim of opening up new avenues of thought.