ABRAM AND LOT SEPARATE
Key verse: 8,9
NIV
5 Now Lot,(A) who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.(B) 7 And quarreling(C) arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites(D) and Perizzites(E) were also living in the land(F) at that time.
8 So Abram said to Lot,(G) “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me,(H) or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.(I) 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”(J)
10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain(K) of the Jordan toward Zoar(L) was well watered, like the garden of the Lord,(M) like the land of Egypt.(N) (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom(O) and Gomorrah.)(P) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan,(Q) while Lot(R) lived among the cities of the plain(S) and pitched his tents near Sodom.(T) 13 Now the people of Sodom(U) were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.(V)
Cross references
- Genesis 13:5 : S Ge 11:27
- Genesis 13:6 : S Ge 12:5; 33:9; 36:7
- Genesis 13:7 : Ge 26:20, 21; Nu 20:3
- Genesis 13:7 : S Ge 10:18
- Genesis 13:7 : Ge 15:20; 34:30; Ex 3:8; Jdg 1:4
- Genesis 13:7 : Ge 12:6; 34:30
- Genesis 13:8 : S Ge 11:27
- Genesis 13:8 : Pr 15:18; 20:3
- Genesis 13:8 : Ge 19:9; Ex 2:14; Nu 16:13; Ps 133:1
- Genesis 13:9 : Ge 20:15; 34:10; 47:6; Jer 40:4
- Genesis 13:10 : 1Ki 7:46; 2Ch 4:17
- Genesis 13:10 : Ge 14:2; 19:22, 30; Nu 13:29; 33:48; Dt 34:3; Isa 15:5; Jer 48:34
- Genesis 13:10 : Ge 2:8-10; Isa 51:3; Eze 31:8-9
- Genesis 13:10 : Ge 46:7
- Genesis 13:10 : Dt 29:23; Job 39:6; Ps 107:34; Jer 4:26
- Genesis 13:10 : Ge 14:8; 19:17-29
- Genesis 13:12 : S Ge 10:19
- Genesis 13:12 : S Ge 11:27
- Genesis 13:12 : S ver 10; Ge 19:17, 25, 29
- Genesis 13:12 : Ge 14:12
- Genesis 13:13 : Ge 19:4; Isa 1:10; 3:9
- Genesis 13:13 : Ge 18:20; 19:5; 20:6; 39:9; Nu 32:23; 1Sa 12:23; 2Sa 12:13; Ps 51:4; Eze 16:49-50; 2Pe 2:8
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that (A)the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 (B)and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time (C)the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
8 Then Abram said to Lot, (D)“Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, (E)for we are kinsmen.[a] 9 (F)Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the (G)Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like (H)the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of (I)Zoar. (This was before the Lord (J)destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom (K)were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 13:8 Hebrew we are men, brothers
Cross references
- Genesis 13:6 : ch. 36:6, 7
- Genesis 13:7 : ch. 26:20
- Genesis 13:7 : ch. 12:6
- Genesis 13:8 : [1 Cor. 6:1-8]
- Genesis 13:8 : [Acts 7:26]
- Genesis 13:9 : ch. 20:15; 34:10
- Genesis 13:10 : ch. 19:17, 25, 28; Deut. 34:3; 1 Kgs. 7:46; [Matt. 3:5]
- Genesis 13:10 : ch. 2:8; Isa. 51:3; Ezek. 28:13; Joel 2:3
- Genesis 13:10 : ch. 14:2, 8; 19:22
- Genesis 13:10 : ch. 19:24, 25
- Genesis 13:13 : ch. 18:20; Ezek. 16:49; 2 Pet. 2:7, 8
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. God blessed Abram and Lot (5-9)
Abram came out of Egypt with great wealth and with a repentant heart. He trusted God and returned to his altar-building life. Lot, his nephew, moved around with Abram, but he maintained an independent life. Because of Abram Lot too became wealthy. Then a problem arose: The land could not support them together. So when their herdsmen began to quarrel, Abram suggested that they separate. Lot jumped at the chance. Abram offered Lot first choice. He regarded his relationship with Lot as more important than getting the best land.
2. Lot's choice (1
-13)
The valley of the Jordan looked like a combination of the garden of the Lord and the land of Egypt--the best of both worlds. So Lot chose this, and moved near the city of Sodom. Two things about Sodom are mentioned here: First, it would be destroyed; second, the men of Sodom were sinning greatly against the Lord. Lot's selfish decision seemed small, but it would lead him to destruction.
Prayer: Lord, help me to trust you and your blessings; keep me from compromise.
One Word: People before property
