Hebrews 7:1 refers to Abraham 'returning from the slaughter of the kings'—the Genesis 14 narrative where Abraham defeated the coalition that had captured Lot. The Greek term emphasizes the cutting down of enemies in battle, violent defeat rather than sacrificial killing. Classical usage includes the broader sense of cutting or striking, but in contexts of warfare it means decisive defeat. The word underscores the military victory that preceded Melchizedek's blessing.