Verses 14-16 describe the action undertaken by Abram to rescue Lot, and so make up the second battle report.

When Abram heard that his kinsman: kinsman translates Hebrew “brother” but is used as a general kin term. See verse 13. If a general term such as relative or kinsman is lacking, it may be better to say “his nephew,” that is, “his brother’s son.”

Taken captive or “taken away prisoner” is passive and must often be expressed in an active way; for example, “heard that the kings had captured his nephew” or “learned that Lot was a prisoner of the kings.”

Led forth his trained men: led forth translates a word that means “he emptied out.” However, the same word in Hebrew spelled with the letter ד, “d,” instead of ר, “r” (a common copying error), means “to mobilize or muster.” The “d” form of the word is supported by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and most modern translations. Good News Translation “called together” is a common-language equivalent of “mustered.” In some languages we may say “he picked out, selected, organized.”

Trained men translates a term found only here and in some Egyptian texts, where it refers to “retainers” of a Palestinian chief. A retainer is someone who is kept on permanent duty and is loyal to his leader. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy translates the word as “confident servants.” We may also call them “faithful followers,” “loyal troops,” or “trusted soldiers.”

Men, born in his house: according to Speiser, this class of servants, in contrast with purchased slaves, were entrusted with various responsibilities. They were persons born and raised in Abram’s camp. Some interpreters have attributed a special meaning to three hundred and eighteen, which happens to be the numerical representation of the name Eliezer in 15.2. However, this is mere speculation.

Went in pursuit must often express an object, as in Good News Translation “and pursued the four kings,” or as in Bible en français courant “in pursuit of the enemy.” In some languages what happened may need to be expressed as two or more actions; for example, “they left and followed after the four kings.”

Dan in the far north of Canaan was east of Tyre (see the map on page 18) The town did not carry this name until it was captured by people of the tribe of Dan (Judges 18). In the Abram setting it would have been called Laish (Judges 18.29). If the narrative comes from the time of the Judges, Dan is appropriate. In either event the translator must translate it Dan, that is, “the town of Dan.” Some translations add the geographical information for the benefit of readers: “… as far as Dan, a long way off in the north.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .