Genesis 13:5

KJV

¶ And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Lot {H3876} also, which went {H1980} with {H854} Abram {H87}, had flocks {H6629}, and herds {H1241}, and tents {H168}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Lot, who was traveling with Avram, also had flocks, herds and tents.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.

American Standard Version

And Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 13:5 meticulously records Lot's significant material possessions, including extensive flocks, herds, and numerous tents, acquired during his journey alongside Abram. This verse is pivotal, underscoring the immense wealth both men had amassed, which directly sets the stage for the inevitable conflict over resources. This burgeoning prosperity ultimately necessitates their separation, a crucial event that defines their divergent paths and profoundly shapes the unfolding of God's covenant promises to Abram.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the narrative immediately following Abram's return from Egypt, as detailed in [Genesis 13:1-4](/genesis/13-1-4 "Abram's Return from Egypt and Worship at Bethel"). Having sojourned in Egypt during a famine, Abram, along with Lot, returned to the Negev and then to Bethel, the place where Abram had previously built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. The preceding verses ([Genesis 13:2-4](/genesis/13-2-4 "Abram's Great Wealth and Return to Bethel")) emphasize Abram's "very great" wealth in livestock, silver, and gold. Genesis 13:5 then explicitly extends this description of prosperity to Lot, setting up the economic parity that will become the catalyst for the conflict described in [Genesis 13:6-7](/genesis/13-6-7 "Conflict Between Abram's and Lot's Herdsmen"). The specific mention of Lot's independent wealth is crucial as it highlights the scale of their combined possessions, which the land could no longer sustain.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, particularly among nomadic peoples like Abram and Lot, wealth was primarily measured in livestock (flocks of sheep and goats, and herds of cattle) and the number of tents, which indicated the size of one's household and dependents. Land ownership was often communal or based on grazing rights, and fertile pasturage was a highly contested resource. The presence of "the Canaanite and the Perizzite" in the land, as mentioned in [Genesis 13:7](/genesis/13-7 "The Canaanites and Perizzites in the Land"), further exacerbated the issue of limited grazing land. This context illuminates why the burgeoning wealth of both Abram and Lot, while a sign of blessing, would inevitably lead to disputes over scarce resources, making their separation a practical necessity for survival and peace. Their nomadic lifestyle meant that their "tents" were not merely shelters but symbols of their mobile economy and large, self-sufficient communities.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 13:5 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Blessing and Provision**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in prospering Abram, and by extension, those associated with him, even in a foreign land, as promised in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Bless Abram"). Secondly, it introduces the theme of **Conflict Arising from Prosperity**, showing that even blessings can lead to challenges that require wise discernment and resolution, foreshadowing the choices Abram and Lot must make. Thirdly, the verse subtly underscores the theme of **Separation and the Refinement of the Covenant Line**, as the impending division between Abram and Lot is not merely a practical solution but a divinely orchestrated step to ensure the purity and distinctness of the lineage through which God's covenant promises would be fulfilled, as seen in [Genesis 13:14-17](/genesis/13-14-17 "God's Covenant Reaffirmed to Abram After Lot's Departure").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lot (Hebrew, _Lôwṭ'_):** From H3876, this proper noun refers to Abraham's nephew. His inclusion in this verse is significant because it establishes his independent wealth, which is crucial for the narrative's progression. The mention of Lot's prosperity alongside Abram's highlights the scale of their combined assets and the impending logistical challenges.
* **went (Hebrew, _hâlak'_):** From H1980, a primitive root meaning "to walk" or "to go" in a variety of applications, both literally and figuratively. Here, it literally describes Lot's continuous journeying and association with Abram. This word emphasizes their shared nomadic lifestyle and the fact that Lot's prosperity was directly tied to his accompaniment of Abram, who was the recipient of God's blessing.
* **tents (Hebrew, _ʼôhel'_):** From H168, meaning "a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)." This term signifies not just a dwelling but the mobile nature of their wealth and lifestyle. In the ancient Near East, the number of tents indicated the size of a household, including servants and extended family, and thus represented significant social and economic standing for nomadic pastoralists.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Lot also,"**: This opening phrase immediately draws attention to Lot, signaling that his possessions are comparable to Abram's, which were detailed in the preceding verses. The word "also" emphasizes a shared, substantial prosperity between the two households, setting the stage for the conflict that arises from their combined wealth.
* **"which went with Abram,"**: This clause highlights the close relationship between Lot and Abram, and implicitly, the source of Lot's blessing. Lot's prosperity is a direct result of his association with Abram, who is the recipient of God's covenant promises. It underscores the idea that God's blessing on Abram extended to those closely connected to him.
* **"had flocks, and herds, and tents."**: This tripartite phrase comprehensively describes the nature of Lot's wealth. "Flocks" (sheep and goats) and "herds" (cattle) were the primary forms of capital for nomadic pastoralists, providing food, clothing, and trade goods. "Tents" represent their portable dwellings, indicative of a large, mobile household and significant social status. Together, these terms paint a vivid picture of Lot's considerable and self-sufficient prosperity, mirroring Abram's.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Merism** by listing "flocks, and herds, and tents" to represent the entirety of Lot's considerable wealth and nomadic lifestyle. This concise enumeration effectively conveys the vastness of his possessions without needing an exhaustive inventory. Furthermore, the verse functions as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the impending conflict and separation between Abram and Lot. The explicit mention of Lot's independent wealth, mirroring Abram's, creates a narrative tension that will be resolved in the subsequent verses through their division of land. There is also an element of **Parallelism** with the description of Abram's wealth in [Genesis 13:2](/genesis/13-2 "Abram's Great Wealth"), emphasizing the shared, yet ultimately problematic, prosperity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prosperity of both Abram and Lot, as highlighted in this verse, serves as a powerful testament to God's abundant provision and faithfulness to His covenant promises. While the immediate context is material wealth, this blessing is rooted in God's commitment to Abram, showcasing how divine favor can extend to those connected to the covenant recipient. However, this very blessing also introduces a challenge, necessitating a decision that reveals the differing priorities of Abram and Lot, and ultimately, God's sovereign hand in guiding the lineage of promise. This narrative subtly introduces the theme that even blessings can create complexities that require spiritual discernment and a willingness to prioritize peace and God's greater purposes over worldly gain.

* [Proverbs 13:10](/proverbs/13-10 "Proverbs 13:10 - Pride and Contention")
* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God")
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - Contentment and God's Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 13:5, though brief, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers regarding the complexities of prosperity and relationships. It reminds us that while material blessings are gifts from God, they can also become sources of contention if not managed with wisdom, humility, and a clear spiritual perspective. The burgeoning wealth of Abram and Lot, while a sign of divine favor, ultimately created an environmental strain that necessitated a difficult decision. This narrative challenges us to examine our own stewardship of resources, asking whether our possessions serve to foster peace and godly relationships, or if they inadvertently create division and draw us away from spiritual priorities. It encourages us to cultivate a heart that prioritizes harmonious relationships and God's will above personal gain, recognizing that true wealth lies not merely in what we possess, but in how we steward it for God's glory and the good of others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the abundance of material blessings in our lives sometimes create unforeseen challenges or tensions in our relationships?**
* **What principles can we draw from Abram's eventual handling of the conflict (not explicitly in this verse, but implied by the setup) to navigate disputes arising from shared resources or differing priorities?**
* **In what ways might our pursuit of prosperity inadvertently lead us to compromise spiritual discernment or draw us towards environments that are not conducive to our spiritual growth?**

### FAQ
**Why is Lot's wealth specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: Lot's wealth is specifically mentioned in [Genesis 13:5](/genesis/13-5 "Lot's Possessions") to establish the economic parity between him and Abram. This detail is crucial because it directly sets the stage for the conflict over grazing land and resources that immediately follows. It highlights that both households had grown so large and prosperous that the land could no longer sustain them together, thus necessitating their separation. This specific mention is not merely an inventory but a narrative device to explain the impending need for division.

**What do "flocks, herds, and tents" signify about Lot's wealth?**

Answer: "Flocks, herds, and tents" represent the comprehensive and typical wealth of nomadic pastoralists in the ancient Near East. "Flocks" (sheep and goats) and "herds" (cattle) were the primary forms of capital, providing food, clothing, milk, and goods for trade. "Tents" signify their mobile dwellings, indicating a large household, numerous dependents, and the ability to move with their vast livestock. Together, these terms paint a vivid picture of Lot's significant, self-sufficient prosperity, underscoring his considerable status and influence within their nomadic society.

**Does this verse imply Lot was as blessed as Abram in terms of God's covenant?**

Answer: While [Genesis 13:5](/genesis/13-5 "Lot's Wealth") indicates Lot was also very wealthy, it does not imply he was blessed in the same unique covenantal sense as Abram. Lot's prosperity was largely a consequence of his association with Abram, who was the direct recipient of God's covenant promises of blessing, land, and nationhood ([Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Promises to Abram")). Lot benefited from being in Abram's household and under the umbrella of God's favor on Abram. However, Lot was not the one through whom the divine promises of a great nation and the blessing of all families of the earth would be fulfilled; that distinct calling remained solely with Abram.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The seemingly mundane account of Lot's wealth in [Genesis 13:5](/genesis/13-5 "Lot's Possessions") and the subsequent separation from Abram serves a profound redemptive purpose, ultimately pointing to Christ. The division ensures that the lineage of promise, through which the Messiah would eventually come, remains distinct and uncompromised by the choices and influences of Lot. This narrative foreshadows the necessity of separation from worldly entanglements for the fulfillment of God's greater redemptive plan. In Christ, the true and eternal "flocks and herds" are not material possessions but the vast multitude of believers from every tribe and tongue, whom He gathers into His kingdom as the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"). The "tents" of nomadic life find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ as the one in whom God's Spirit dwells, making His people the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit") and a [spiritual house](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Spiritual House"). Unlike the earthly wealth that led to division, Christ offers an eternal, spiritual inheritance that unites believers in Him, transcending material possessions and earthly conflicts, providing ultimate fulfillment of all divine promises and an everlasting dwelling place with God ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling Among His People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 49:29

Their tents and their flocks shall they take away: they shall take to themselves their curtains, and all their vessels, and their camels; and they shall cry unto them, Fear [is] on every side.

Genesis 25:27

And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents.

Genesis 4:20

And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and [of such as have] cattle.