Genesis13

After returning from Egypt, Abram, now very rich, and his nephew Lot found their vast possessions too great for them to dwell together, leading to strife among their herdsmen. Abram nobly proposed separation, allowing Lot to choose his dwelling place. Lot chose the well-watered plain of Jordan, journeying eastward towards Sodom, while Abram remained in Canaan. Following Lot's departure, the LORD reaffirmed and expanded His promise of land and innumerable seed to Abram.

Abram Returns to Bethel

1
Avram went up from Egypt - he, his wife and everything he had, and Lot with him - into the Negev. ​
2
Avram became wealthy, with much cattle, silver and gold. ​
3
As he went on his travels from the Negev, he came to Beit-El, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beit-El and 'Ai,
4
where he had first built the altar; and there Avram called on the name of ADONAI. ​

Conflict and Separation from Lot

5
Lot, who was traveling with Avram, also had flocks, herds and tents.
6
But the land could not support their living together, because their possessions were too great for them to remain together. ​
7
Moreover, quarreling arose between Avram's and Lot's herdsmen. The Kena'ani and the P'rizi were then living in the land. ​
8
Avram said to Lot, "Please, let's not have quarreling between me and you, or between my herdsmen and yours, since we're kinsmen. ​
9
Isn't the whole land there in front of you? Please separate yourself from me - if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left." ​
10
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. ​
11
So Lot chose all the plain of the Yarden for himself, and Lot traveled eastward; thus they separated themselves from each other.
12
Avram lived in the land of Kena'an; and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, setting up his tent near S'dom. ​
13
Now the men of S'dom were evil, committing great sins against ADONAI. ​

God Renews the Covenant Promise

14
ADONAI said to Avram, after Lot had moved away from him, "Look all around you from where you are, to the north, the south, the east and the west. ​
15
All the land you see I will give to you and your descendants forever, ​
16
and I will make your descendants as numerous as the specks of dust on the earth - so that if a person can count the specks of dust on the earth, then your descendants can be counted. ​
17
Get up and walk through the length and breadth of the land, because I will give it to you."
18
Avram moved his tent and came to live by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hevron. There he built an altar to ADONAI. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 13

Verse 1

Abram returns to the Negev ('the south') following his lapse in faith and subsequent sojourn in Egypt (Gen 12:10-20). This physical movement back toward the promised land signifies a spiritual restoration.

Verse 2

The wealth Abram acquired, partly derived from his episode in Egypt, now becomes a source of practical difficulty and conflict, illustrating the unintended consequences of compromise.

Verse 4

Returning to the original altar signifies the renewal of Abram’s faith and commitment to God after his detour. Calling on the name of the LORD is a key marker of faithful worship in Genesis.

Verse 6

The land was not able to bear them: This practical problem highlights that the physical space allotted for the covenant people was already insufficient due to the presence of the Canaanites and their excessive wealth.

Verse 7

The strife between the herders was particularly problematic because the Canaanite and the Perizzite were watching. The conflict jeopardized the testimony of God's people living among unbelievers.

Verse 8

Abram's initiative to avoid strife demonstrates great humility and wisdom, prioritizing family peace and moral integrity over his rights as the elder and covenant recipient. 'We be brethren' emphasizes kinship responsibility.

Verse 9

Abram’s generous offer to let Lot choose first shows profound faith. He trusts that God’s promises (land, seed) do not depend on his own maneuvering or securing the best territory.

Verse 10

Lot chose based on sight, selecting the fertile, well-watered plain, which he compared favorably to the productive land of Egypt. This materialistic choice contrasts sharply with Abram’s faith-based surrender.

Verse 12

Abram remained centered in Canaan, the land of promise. Lot, however, moved toward the corrupting influence of the urban centers, setting his tentative direction 'toward Sodom'.

Verse 13

This editorial comment justifies the danger of Lot’s chosen location and foreshadows the judgment described in Genesis 19. Sodom’s exceeding wickedness highlights the moral risk Lot prioritized for material gain.

Verse 14

The Lord speaks immediately after the separation, confirming that Abram’s faithful choice led to a clearer confirmation of the covenant. God directs Abram to survey the land visually.

Verse 15

God reaffirms the promise of the land, emphasizing that the entire region, now free of Lot’s competing claim, belongs to Abram and his seed for ever. This is an unconditional grant.

Verse 16

The promise of innumerable descendants (seed) balances the promise of the land. The simile 'dust of the earth' contrasts with the stars (Gen 15:5) but conveys the same message of boundless fruitfulness.

Verse 18

Abram settles near Mamre (Hebron), which becomes his primary residence for many years. Building an altar signals his continued dedication to worship and his establishment of a permanent, faith-based presence in the land.

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