Aner
Abraham's Amorite Allies
Among the Canaanite tribal chiefs in the Hebron region, Aner stood out as a loyal ally of Abraham (Abram). He belonged to the Amorites and was connected with Mamre and Eshkol, whom the biblical text refers to as his brothers—an expression that may denote either blood ties or a formal alliance. When Abraham’s nephew Lot was captured during the war between four eastern kings led by Kedorlaomer and the kings of the Jordan Valley, Aner and his confederates mustered their forces and joined the successful rescue campaign northward toward Dan and Hobah. After the victory, Abraham himself refused to take any spoils from the king of Sodom, but ensured that Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre received their rightful share as compensation for their efforts. Aner’s presence in the narrative sheds light on the everyday reality of the patriarchs: they lived in binding alliances with neighboring peoples in the promised land, and such covenants could carry both military and social significance.
Familj
Nyckelhändelser
Alliance with Abraham
Aner was one of three Amorite brothers who had made a covenant with Abram and were his allies. They lived at the oaks of Mamre near Hebron.
The War against Kedorlaomer and the Liberation of Lot
When Lot was captured by King Kedorlaomer and his allied kings, Abram went out with his 318 men to rescue him. Aner, Mamre, and Eshcol joined with their forces based on the alliance covenant, as shown by Abraham later acknowledging their share. They pursued the enemies to Dan and further to Hobah north of Damascus, defeated them, and brought back the captives and the plunder.
Share of the Spoils
After the victory, Abraham told the king of Sodom that he himself would keep nothing from the spoils, but that Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre should receive their rightful share as compensation for their participation in the campaign.