And he armed his trained servants, etc. Rashi explains that only Eliezer was there, as the number three hundred and eighteen is the numerical value of Eliezer’s name. However, this raises questions: Is it the way of Scripture to use a number that refers to just one person? And what is meant by the verse and divided the men who went with me, when supposedly only Eliezer went with him? The explanation that seems closest to me is that even Rashi agrees that Abraham actually took 318 men with him, for every person is obligated to act within the natural order to the best of one’s ability, and whatever nature lacks, the miracle will complete. However, the question remains: Why did Abram specifically take the number 318, and what is the Scripture teaching us through this? Rather, this comes to teach us that the battle was so formidable for him that there was no natural possibility of victory, and nevertheless Abraham went to battle because he relied on his God’s help. It was symbolic that he took with him men numbering the same as “Eliezer,” to indicate that effectively only Eliezer was there, as the victory was not achieved through any human action but through divine assistance alone. Therefore, he only pursued until Dan, and there the Divine Presence departed because of the golden calf that would eventually be erected in Dan. Thus his strength weakened there with the departure of divine assistance. This is what is meant by and he divided against them by night — the second half was reserved for the midnight of Egypt, for then God Himself went out through Egypt. Similarly, in this battle, there was nothing but the help of the Most High God, who delivered His enemies into His hand.

Another explanation [for why] he took 318 men, corresponding to the numerical value of Eliezer’s [name], is to teach that Eliezer was equivalent to all of them because Abraham’s merit clung to him, as [the Sages teach that] the casual conversation of the patriarchs’ servants is more valuable than the Torah of their children, etc. And some say [regarding the word] “vayarek” [usually translated as “he armed”] that he emptied them of all weapons, and they went without weapons, relying on God’s salvation. This interpretation comes from [the similar usage in Exodus 15:9] I will draw my sword, [where Pharaoh says] “even if I draw my sword to remove them completely, nevertheless my hand will destroy them alone, without a sword.”

Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Earlier it stated and he was a priest to God Most High, and did not mention “Creator of heaven and earth” because before Abram came, the Holy One, Blessed be He was only called God Most High, as His divine kingship was not recognized in the lower realms, as Rashi explained on the verse The Lord, God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house (Genesis 24:7). And Abram caused heaven and earth to be acquired by God, for he publicized God’s existence to all in the lower realms. Therefore, whenever referring to Abram, it always mentions Creator of heaven and earth. Another explanation: Since all blessings come from the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth, therefore when mentioning the blessing, it refers to the Creator of heaven and earth. Similarly, when it says later I have raised my hand to God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread to a shoe strap, etc. He said this because the Holy One, Blessed be He can give him from His own — from the precious things of heaven above and from the deep that lies below. Therefore, “I will not take anything of yours.”

Some say regarding what he [Abram] said “so you will not say ‘I have enriched Abram’”: The interpretation is not [simply] “in order that you should not say,” but rather he was actually saying “I know about you that you would not say ‘I have enriched Abram,’” and nevertheless, I do not want to take anything. Another explanation: Initially He [God] was [considered only] Most High because they said that His providence does not extend below the sphere of the moon. But through this war, they saw with their own eyes that He is also the God of the earth and His providence extends to the lower realms as well, for a person does not prevail through [physical] strength but rather through His blessed providence.