Genesis 13:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the land {H776} was not able to bear {H5375} them, that they might dwell {H3427} together {H3162}: for their substance {H7399} was great {H7227}, so that they could {H3201} not dwell {H3427} together {H3162}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the land could not support their living together, because their possessions were too great for them to remain together.

Berean Standard Bible

But the land was unable to support both of them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to coexist.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 13:6 succinctly explains the practical necessity for Abram and Lot's separation: their combined wealth, particularly in livestock, had grown so immense that the land they inhabited could no longer adequately sustain both households simultaneously. This resource strain led to contention and ultimately mandated their division, marking a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abram's journey and God's unfolding covenantal plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Abram's return from Egypt, where he and Lot had significantly prospered, accumulating vast wealth in livestock, silver, and gold ([Genesis 13:1-2](/genesis/13-1-2 "Abram's Return and Wealth")). Having returned to the region between Bethel and Ai, where Abram had previously built an altar ([Genesis 13:3-4](/genesis/13-3-4 "Abram Returns to Bethel")), the narrative highlights the burgeoning size of their combined encampments. Verse 6 serves as the direct explanation for the conflict that arises among their herdsmen in [Genesis 13:7](/genesis/13-7 "Strife Between Herdsmen"), setting the stage for Abram's magnanimous offer to Lot and their subsequent separation, which is crucial for the distinct development of God's covenant with Abram.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the land of Canaan, which at this time was inhabited by the Canaanites and the Perizzites ([Genesis 13:7](/genesis/13-7 "Strife Between Herdsmen")). Abram and Lot were nomadic pastoralists, whose livelihood depended entirely on access to sufficient pasture and water for their extensive flocks and herds. In the semi-arid regions of the ancient Near East, such resources were often scarce and highly contested. The presence of other inhabitants meant that available grazing land was limited, intensifying the competition for vital resources between two large, growing households. This economic reality made cohabitation increasingly unsustainable, leading to inevitable friction.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 13:6 contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it underscores the **paradox of prosperity**, showing how even divine blessings, like abundant wealth, can bring practical challenges and necessitate difficult decisions. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **resource limitations and stewardship**, emphasizing that even a promised land has finite immediate capacity, requiring wise management and adaptation. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **divine orchestration**, as this seemingly mundane logistical problem ultimately serves to separate Abram from Lot, clearing the path for the distinct and singular fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abram, as seen in [Genesis 13:14-17](/genesis/13-14-17 "God's Promise to Abram After Lot's Departure").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 13:6 vividly describes the practical impasse faced by Abram and Lot: "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." This verse highlights a direct consequence of their immense prosperity. The phrase "the land was not able to bear them" signifies more than just a lack of physical space; it points to the depletion of vital resources like pasture and water necessary to sustain their immense flocks and herds.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** Refers to the physical territory or region, specifically the Canaanite land they were inhabiting. Its inability to "bear" them highlights a literal, geographical constraint due to the sheer volume of their assets.
* **bear (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This verb means to lift, carry, or support. In this context, it conveys the idea of the land being unable to sustain or support the combined weight and resource demands of Abram and Lot's vast possessions and households. It implies a burden that exceeds capacity.
* **substance (Hebrew, _rᵉkûwsh'_):** This term specifically denotes accumulated possessions, property, or wealth, often emphasizing movable goods such as livestock, slaves, and precious metals. Its use here underscores that the sheer, tangible accumulation of their combined assets was the direct and undeniable cause of their inability to coexist.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the land was not able to bear them":** This clause establishes the core problem: the physical territory, with its limited natural resources (pasture, water), was insufficient to sustain the combined households of Abram and Lot. The verb "bear" (נָשָׂא, _nasa'_) implies a burden or capacity, indicating that the land was literally overwhelmed by their presence.
* **"that they might dwell together":** This phrase clarifies the consequence of the land's inability to bear them—it was impossible for them to continue living side-by-side in close proximity. Their nomadic lifestyle required extensive resources, and these were becoming scarce for two such large groups.
* **"for their substance was great":** This provides the direct reason for the land's insufficiency. Their "substance" (רְכּוּשׁ, _rekush_), referring to their vast material wealth, particularly their livestock, had grown to an unmanageable size for the available resources. This abundance, while a blessing, paradoxically created a logistical challenge.
* **"so that they could not dwell together":** This final clause reiterates and emphasizes the unavoidable conclusion. The repetition of "could not dwell together" underscores the inevitability and necessity of their impending separation, a practical reality driven by their immense prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Repetition** ("that they might dwell together" / "so that they could not dwell together") to emphasize the unavoidable nature of the situation and the impossibility of continued cohabitation. This rhetorical device highlights the logical progression from cause (great substance) to effect (inability to dwell together). There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in describing the land's inability to "bear" them, as it vividly communicates the overwhelming scale of their combined possessions, implying a strain beyond normal capacity. This sets the stage for the dramatic resolution that follows, underscoring the severity of the practical conflict.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 13:6 offers profound insights into the complex interplay of divine blessing, human prosperity, and practical limitations within God's overarching plan. It illustrates that even immense material blessings can introduce logistical challenges, necessitating difficult decisions for the sake of peace and the advancement of God's purposes. The verse highlights the practical reality of finite resources in the physical world, even within a promised land, underscoring the need for wise stewardship and adaptation. Ultimately, this seemingly mundane conflict serves as a catalyst, demonstrating how God orchestrates even the practicalities of life to guide His chosen ones and advance His redemptive narrative, clearing the path for Abram's distinct covenantal journey.

* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "The Blessing of the Lord"): "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it." While Abram and Lot's wealth was a blessing, it introduced logistical challenges, showing that "sorrow" can arise from the management of wealth, even if the blessing itself is pure.
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Beware of Covetousness"): "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." This verse provides a New Testament echo, reminding us that while wealth can be a blessing, the true value of life is not found in material accumulation, a lesson Abram models in his subsequent generosity.
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God Will Supply All Your Needs"): "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." This promise assures believers of God's provision, yet Genesis 13:6 reminds us that earthly provision, while abundant, can have practical limits, prompting movement or adaptation.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 13:6 provides a timeless lesson on the dynamics of growth, resource management, and relational harmony. It reminds us that prosperity, while a blessing, often introduces new challenges that demand wise decision-making and adaptable strategies. We are called to recognize the limitations of our resources—whether material, relational, or temporal—and be willing to make difficult but necessary choices for the sake of peace and continued progress. Just as Abram and Lot needed to expand their territory, individuals, families, and organizations frequently face moments where growth strains existing structures, requiring adjustments or even separation for healthier functioning. This verse sets the stage for Abram's exemplary demonstration of humility and generosity in [Genesis 13:8-9](/genesis/13-8-9 "Abram's Proposal to Lot"), choosing peace over personal gain—a powerful model for resolving conflicts rooted in material concerns and prioritizing relationships above possessions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my perception of prosperity and its potential challenges?**
* **In what areas of my life (finances, relationships, time) might "growth" be straining existing "resources," requiring a difficult decision or adjustment?**
* **How can I prioritize peace and relational harmony over material gain or personal advantage, as Abram did?**

### FAQ
**What does "substance" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [Genesis 13:6](/genesis/13-6 "Genesis 13:6 - The Land Could Not Bear Them"), "substance" translates the Hebrew word _rᵉkûwsh_ (רְכוּשׁ), which refers specifically to accumulated possessions, property, or wealth. This includes movable assets like livestock (sheep, cattle, donkeys), servants, silver, and gold, as indicated earlier in [Genesis 13:2](/genesis/13-2 "Abram's Great Wealth"). Its use here emphasizes that the sheer volume of their material wealth, particularly their extensive herds, was the direct cause of the land's inability to support both Abram and Lot's households.

**Was the land truly "not able to bear them," or was it a lack of cooperation?**

Answer: While cooperation is always important, the text explicitly states the land's inability to "bear them" due to their "great substance." This indicates a genuine practical limitation of the available pastures and water sources for two such large, nomadic households. Though contention arose among their herdsmen ([Genesis 13:7](/genesis/13-7 "Strife Between Abram and Lot's Herdsmen")), this strife was a symptom of the underlying resource scarcity, not the primary cause of the land's insufficiency. The problem was fundamentally logistical and environmental, necessitating a physical separation, which Abram wisely facilitated.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 13:6, by precipitating the separation of Abram and Lot, serves a crucial role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, which finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. This division ensured that Abram's lineage, through whom the covenant promises of land, seed, and blessing would flow, could develop distinctly and without hindrance, preserving the purity of the messianic line. Just as the earthly land could not contain their material wealth, so too the limitations of this world point to a greater, spiritual kingdom established through Christ. He is the ultimate "substance" and provider, offering spiritual pastures and living water that are inexhaustible, fulfilling the deeper longings that earthly resources can only temporarily satisfy. In Christ, the divisions necessitated by earthly limitations are overcome; He breaks down the "dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ is Our Peace")) and unites all who believe into one body, transcending earthly boundaries and conflicts, as the true "seed" promised to Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")).

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

Genesis 36:6

And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.

Genesis 36:7

For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.

1 Timothy 6:9

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Luke 12:17

And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

Luke 12:18

And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity.

Ecclesiastes 5:11

When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes?