Genesis Chapter 13 — Abram and Lot Separate
Abram and Lot decide to part ways to avoid conflict between their herdsmen. Lot chooses the fertile Jordan valley, while God promises all the land to Abram.
1Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South.
2Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
3He went on his journeys from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on the LORD’s name.
5Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents.
6The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their possessions were so great that they couldn’t live together.
7There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land at that time.
8Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives.
9Isn’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.”
10Lot 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.
11So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one another.
12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
13Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against the LORD.
14The 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,
15for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.
16I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted.
17Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”
18Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Genesis 13:8-9
“Abram said to Lot, 'Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives. Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me.'”
This passage highlights Abram's peacemaking character and his willingness to prioritize family harmony over personal gain.
Genesis 13:15
“for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.”
This verse reaffirms the specific territorial promise God made to Abram, emphasizing the permanence of the gift.
Genesis 13:18
“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.”
This demonstrates Abram's continued devotion and practice of public worship after receiving God's renewed promise.
Chapter Summary
After returning from Egypt with great wealth in livestock and precious metals, Abram and his nephew Lot find that the land near Bethel cannot support both of their large households. Constant strife breaks out between their respective herdsmen because their possessions are so vast. To preserve their relationship, Abram generously offers Lot the first choice of the land. Lot observes the well-watered and fertile Plain of the Jordan and chooses to settle there, eventually moving his tents as far as the wicked city of Sodom. Abram remains in the land of Canaan. Following their separation, God speaks to Abram, telling him to look in every direction. God reaffirms His covenant, promising to give all the land Abram sees to him and his descendants forever, and to make his offspring as numerous as the dust of the earth. Abram then moves to Hebron, settling by the oaks of Mamre and building an altar to worship the LORD.
Frequently Asked Questions
They had to separate because both had acquired so much livestock and wealth that the land could no longer sustain them living together. This led to frequent arguments and strife between their herdsmen.
Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan because it was well-watered and looked like the 'garden of the LORD' or the land of Egypt. He prioritized the immediate physical fertility of the land, despite its proximity to the wicked city of Sodom.
God promised Abram that He would give all the land he could see—north, south, east, and west—to him and his offspring forever. He also promised that Abram's descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth.
Study Note
The Hebrew phrase for 'well-watered' in verse 10 suggests an abundance of resources, contrasting Lot's choice based on sight with Abram's choice based on faith.
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