Verse 21 continues the narrative that was interrupted at verse 18 with the Melchizedek episode. In some languages it may be necessary to make a transition to verse 21 that will show that the main story line now continues. For example, we may say “After these things were over, the king of Sodom said…” or “When Abram had done this, then the king of Sodom said….”

Give me the persons: persons translates the Hebrew nefesh, which has a vast range of meanings; in this context it refers to the people of Sodom who were captured and later brought back by Abram.

Take the goods for yourself: goods translates the same word used in verse 11. See comments there. The king of Sodom no doubt recognized Abram’s right to keep everything—people and property—but he asked Abram only for his people and not for their property and livestock.

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 .