בראשית, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״ב

Standing before the king of Sodom after a stunning military victory, Abraham makes a dramatic public declaration of his absolute faith in God and his complete refusal to take any of the spoils of war. His goal is to publicize God’s name to the world and make it clear that all blessing and success come exclusively from Him. The primary approach among commentators is that Abraham’s raised hand represents a formal oath. Because raising a hand toward heaven is a well-known physical gesture that accompanies swearing, there is no need for the text to explicitly use the word "oath" [רד״ק, מזרחי, שטיינזלץ]. Commentators note that this action is expressed in the present moment, as if to say, "I am raising my hand right now" [רש״י, חזקוני, גור אריה]. He chooses to make a severe oath rather than a polite refusal in order to demonstrate absolute resolve, thereby instantly shutting down any further debate with the king of Sodom [אור החיים, ברכת אשר].

While the oath is the dominant view, others understand this gesture differently. It can be seen as an act of prayer, with hands spread open toward heaven [רמב״ן, אוהב גר], or even as raising the voice in song and gratitude to God for the military triumph [הכתב והקבלה]. Another profound perspective connects the act of raising to the concept of a sacred dedication. In this view, Abraham consecrates the captured property to heaven, rendering it strictly forbidden for his own personal use [רמב״ן, העמק דבר, הירש]. Conceptually, Abraham is declaring that his victorious hand was merely an instrument wielded by God. Therefore, he has no right to claim the spoils as if the triumph came from his own strength [מלבי״ם]. Accepting wealth from a mortal king would amount to rebelling against the King of the Universe and would display a severe lack of trust in God [הכתב והקבלה].

When addressing God, Abraham deliberately adopts the exact title used moments earlier by Melchizedek, swearing by the very name through which he had just been blessed [אבן עזרא, הטור הארוך]. However, Abraham intentionally adds God’s explicit name to this title. This addition serves a critical purpose: it emphasizes that God is not merely a supreme, distant force of nature—as the surrounding nations believed—but the God of history and personal providence Who is actively involved in human affairs [הירש].

Abraham concludes his declaration by describing God as the Maker and possessor of heaven and earth. By publicly proclaiming this faith and declaring God’s absolute rule over all realms, it is as though Abraham himself establishes God’s ownership over the world in the eyes of humanity [תורה תמימה]. Because he recognizes that God is the true owner of everything and the sole source of wealth, Abraham refuses to take a single item. He ensures that the king of Sodom will never be able to claim credit for making him rich, a boast that would ruin the profound sanctification of God’s name achieved through the victory [אלשיך].