account, he was made the priest of God: however, they afterward
called Salem Jerusalem. Now this Melchisedec supplied Abram's
army in an hospitable manner, and gave them provisions in
abundance; and as they were feasting, he began to praise him, and
to bless God for subduing his enemies under him. And when Abram
gave him the tenth part of his prey, he accepted of the gift: but
the king of Sodom desired Abram to take the prey, but entreated
that he might have those men restored to him whom Abram had saved
from the Assyrians, because they belonged to him. But Abram would
not do so; nor would make any other advantage of that prey than
what his servants had eaten; but still insisted that he should
afford a part to his friends that had assisted him in the battle.
The first of them was called Eschol, and then Enner, and Mambre.

3. And God commended his virtue, and said, Thou shalt not however
lose the rewards thou hast deserved to receive by such thy
glorious actions. He answered, And what advantage will it be to
me to have such rewards, when I have none to enjoy them after me?
- for he was hitherto childless. And God promised that he should
have a son, and that his posterity should be very numerous;
insomuch that their number should be like the stars. When he
heard that, he offered a sacrifice to God, as he commanded him.
The manner of the sacrifice was this : - He took an heifer of
three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram in
like manner of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon
(19) and as he was enjoined, he divided the three former, but the
birds he did not divide. After which, before he built his altar,
where the birds of prey flew about, as desirous of blood, a
Divine voice came to him, declaring that their neighbors would be
grievous to his posterity, when they should be in Egypt, for four