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.
Listen to this chapter
0:00 0:00

Abram Returns to Bethel

1
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. ​
2
And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. ​
3
And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
4
Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. ​

Conflict and Separation from Lot

5
And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6
And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. ​
7
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. ​
8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. ​
9
Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. ​
10
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. ​
11
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. ​
13
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. ​

God Renews the Covenant Promise

14
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: ​
15
For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. ​
16
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. ​
17
Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
18
Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto 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

Options