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
Abram went up out of Egypt: he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South. ​
2
Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. ​
3
He went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4
to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on the LORD’s name. ​

Conflict and Separation from Lot

5
Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6
The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together: for their substance was great, so that they could not live together. ​
7
There was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite lived in the land at that time. ​
8
Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are relatives. ​
9
Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” ​
10
Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. ​
11
So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12
Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. ​
13
Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against the LORD. ​

God Renews the Covenant Promise

14
The LORD said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, ​
15
for all the land which you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring forever. ​
16
I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then your seed may also be numbered. ​
17
Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its breadth; for I will give it to you.”
18
Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD. ​

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.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options