Derasha 1 on Lech Lecha 14:22

TT #1 · Parashas Lech Lecha · Fifth Aliyah · Passuk 14:22

Complete Passuk

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אַבְרָ֖ם אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ סְדֹ֑ם הֲרִמֹ֨תִי יָדִ֤י אֶל־ה׳֙ אֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן קֹנֵ֖ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ׃

Avram said to the king of Sodom: I lift my hand to Hashem, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth.

Chabad / Judaica Press

Source Citation

TT: the verse teaches that Avraham “acquired” heaven and earth for the Holy One (proclaimed His sovereignty over all).

Core Text

Core Text קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ — מְלַמֵּד שֶׁאַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ הִקְנָה לַהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ.
English of Core Text: “Possessor of heaven and earth” — this teaches that Avraham our father acquired heaven and earth for the Holy One (i.e., proclaimed Him Master of all).
On the daf / in context: The same title used by Malki-Tzedek is now spoken by Avraham as an oath formula, intensifying the claim of divine ownership.

Type of Learning

Custom

What Is Learned

Avraham’s oath language is itself an act of declaring God’s total sovereignty.