Genesis 13:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Yarden was well watered everywhere, before ADONAI destroyed S'dom and 'Amora, like the garden of ADONAI, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Tzo'ar.

Berean Standard Bible:

And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

American Standard Version:

And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Lot^{H3876} lifted up^{H5375} his eyes^{H5869}, and beheld^{H7200} all the plain^{H3603} of Jordan^{H3383}, that it was well watered^{H4945} every where, before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068} destroyed^{H7843} Sodom^{H5467} and Gomorrah^{H6017}, even as the garden^{H1588} of the LORD^{H3068}, like the land^{H776} of Egypt^{H4714}, as thou comest^{H935} unto Zoar^{H6820}.

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Commentary for Genesis 13:10

Genesis 13:10 is set within the narrative of Abram (later named Abraham) and his nephew Lot as they journey together in the land of Canaan. After a period of prosperity, their herdsmen begin to quarrel due to the limited space for their growing flocks and herds. In response, Abram, in a gesture of peace and generosity, allows Lot to choose which part of the land he would like to settle in.

The verse captures the moment when Lot, surveying the land, gazes upon the plain of Jordan. He observes that the area is lush and well-watered, resembling the garden of the Lord and comparable to the fertility of Egypt. The mention of Zoar at the end of the verse hints at the direction of Lot's gaze, eastward toward the Jordan Valley. This region, before its catastrophic transformation, was exceptionally fertile and inviting—a stark contrast to the barrenness that would follow after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Historically, this verse reflects the geographical knowledge of the time, highlighting the fertility of the Jordan Valley, which would have been well-known to the ancient Israelites. The reference to the garden of the Lord evokes the imagery of Eden, suggesting a paradisiacal quality to the land. The comparison to Egypt alludes to another region renowned for its fertility, especially along the Nile River, which was vital for the sustenance of its civilization.

Thematically, this verse is rich with foreshadowing. While Lot sees the plain as a place of abundance, the reader is aware of the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, cities that would soon become synonymous with sin and divine retribution. Lot's choice of the well-watered plain sets the stage for his proximity to Sodom, which will eventually lead to his entanglement in its destruction and rescue by divine intervention. This moment of decision, based on the apparent fruitfulness of the land, underscores the complex interplay between human choice and divine providence, a recurring theme throughout the biblical narrative.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3876
   There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לוֹט
   Transliteration: Lôwṭ
   Pronunciation: lote
   Description: the same as לוֹט; Lot, Abraham's nephew; Lot.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5375
   There are 611 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָשָׂא
   Transliteration: nâsâʼ
   Pronunciation: naw-saw'
   Description: or נָסָה; (Psalm 4:6 (אֲבַד)), a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative; accept, advance, arise, (able to, (armor), suffer to) bear(-er, up), bring (forth), burn, carry (away), cast, contain, desire, ease, exact, exalt (self), extol, fetch, forgive, furnish, further, give, go on, help, high, hold up, honorable ([phrase] man), lade, lay, lift (self) up, lofty, marry, magnify, [idiom] needs, obtain, pardon, raise (up), receive, regard, respect, set (up), spare, stir up, [phrase] swear, take (away, up), [idiom] utterly, wear, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5869
   There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עַיִן
   Transliteration: ʻayin
   Pronunciation: ah'-yin
   Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3603
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּכָּר
   Transliteration: kikkâr
   Pronunciation: kik-kawr'
   Description: from כָּרַר; a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or valley of the Jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or large [round] coin); loaf, morsel, piece, plain, talent.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3383
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַרְדֵּן
   Transliteration: Yardên
   Pronunciation: yar-dane'
   Description: from יָרַד; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine; Jordan.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4945
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַשְׁקֶה
   Transliteration: mashqeh
   Pronunciation: mash-keh'
   Description: from שָׁקָה; properly, causing to drink, i.e. a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region; butler(-ship), cupbearer, drink(-ing), fat pasture, watered.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
10. Strong's Number: H7843
    There are 136 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁחַת
    Transliteration: shâchath
    Pronunciation: shaw-khath'
    Description: a primitive root; to decay, i.e. (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively); batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r).
    
11. Strong's Number: H5467
    There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: סְדֹם
    Transliteration: Çᵉdôm
    Pronunciation: sed-ome'
    Description: from an unused root meaning to scorch; burnt (i.e. volcanic or bituminous) district; Sedom, a place near the Dead Sea; Sodom.
    
12. Strong's Number: H6017
    There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֲמֹרָה
    Transliteration: ʻĂmôrâh
    Pronunciation: am-o-raw'
    Description: from עָמַר; a (ruined) heap; Amorah, a place in Palestine; Gomorrah.
    
13. Strong's Number: H1588
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גַּן
    Transliteration: gan
    Pronunciation: gan
    Description: from גָּנַן; a garden (as fenced); garden.
    
14. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
    
15. Strong's Number: H4714
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
    Transliteration: Mitsrayim
    Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
    Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
    
16. Strong's Number: H935
    There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בּוֹא
    Transliteration: bôwʼ
    Pronunciation: bo
    Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
    
17. Strong's Number: H6820
    There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: צֹעַר
    Transliteration: Tsôʻar
    Pronunciation: tso'ar
    Description: from צָעַר; little; Tsoar, a place East of the Jordan; Zoar.