About the Book
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Chapter Analysis
Chapter 13: Abram and Lot Separate
Background History and Timeline:Â Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was written around the 15th century BCE. It covers events from the creation of the world to the patriarchs of Israel.
Locations Mentioned:Â The chapter primarily focuses on the region of Canaan, where Abram and Lot settle.
Themes and Conflicts:Â Genesis 13 narrates the separation of Abram and his nephew Lot due to conflicts over grazing land for their livestock. It explores themes of generosity, conflict resolution, and trust in God's provision.
Main Characters:Â Abram (Abraham), Lot, and their households are the main characters in this chapter.
Specific Passages:
Genesis 13:8-9: "Then Abram said to Lot, 'Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 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.'"
Genesis 13:14-15: "The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.'"
Explanation:Â Genesis 13 describes how Abram and Lot, along with their families and possessions, journey to the land of Canaan. Due to disputes over resources, Abram suggests a peaceful separation between them, giving Lot the choice of land. Lot chooses the fertile plain of the Jordan Valley, while Abram remains in the land of Canaan.
The chapter highlights Abram's generosity and willingness to prioritize peace over material gain. It also reaffirms God's promise to bless Abram and give him the land of Canaan as an inheritance for his descendants.
Genesis 13 continues the narrative of Abram's journey of faith and obedience, illustrating the importance of trust in God's provision and the resolution of conflicts through peaceful means.
Moses is traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis, including Chapter 13.
Religious Text
Gen 13:1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.
Gen 13:2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Gen 13:3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the
beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
Gen 13:4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the
LORD.
Gen 13:5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,
Gen 13:6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great
that they could not dwell together,
Gen 13:7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock.
At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
Gen 13:8 Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen
and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.
Gen 13:9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then | will go to
the right, or if you take the right hand, then | will go to the left."
Gen 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the
garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah.)
Gen 13:11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from
each other.
Gen 13:12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his
tent as far as Sodom.
Gen 13:13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
Gen 13:14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the
place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,
Gen 13:15 for all the land that you see | will give to you and to your offspring forever.
Gen 13:16 | will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your
offspring also can be counted.
Gen 13:17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for | will give it to you."
Gen 13:18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and
there he built an altar to the LORD.