Genesis 13: Abram and Lot Part Ways
Abram lets Lot choose first to end their strife, and God reaffirms the land to Abram.
Genesis 13 (WEB)
1 Abram went up out of Egypt: he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South.
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
3 He went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Yahweh’s name.
5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together: for their substance was great, so that they could not live together.
7 There was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite lived in the land at that time.
8 Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are relatives.
9 Isn’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.”
10 Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar.
11 So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
13 Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh.
14 Yahweh 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,
15 for all the land which you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring forever.
16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then your seed may also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its breadth; for I will give it to you.”
18 Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Yahweh.
Genesis 13 (KJV)
1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth–el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth–el and Hai;
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 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.
7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.
Genesis 13 (ASV)
1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
3 And he went on his journeys from the South even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Ai,
4 unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of Jehovah.
5 And Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6 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.
7 And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land.
8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar.
11 So Lot chose him all the Plain of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly.
14 And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward:
15 for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then may thy seed also be numbered.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it.
18 And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah.
Summary
Abram comes up out of Egypt very rich in livestock, silver, and gold, returning to the altar between Bethel and Ai where he again calls on Yahweh's name. Lot also has flocks, herds, and tents, and the land cannot support them both, so strife breaks out between their herdsmen. Rather than fight, Abram offers Lot first choice of the land, generously taking whatever is left. Lot lifts his eyes to the well-watered plain of the Jordan and chooses it for himself, moving his tent as far as Sodom, though its men are exceedingly wicked. After Lot departs, Yahweh tells Abram to look in every direction, promising all the land to him and his offspring forever, as numerous as the dust of the earth. Abram moves to the oaks of Mamre in Hebron and builds an altar.
Main Characters
- Abram — The peacemaker who yields first choice of the land to Lot and trusts God for his inheritance.
- Lot — Abram's nephew, who chooses the well-watered Jordan plain by sight and pitches his tent toward Sodom.
- Yahweh — The God who reaffirms the gift of the land to Abram and his countless offspring after Lot's departure.
Key Verse
Genesis 13:15 (WEB)
for all the land which you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring forever.
Lessons Learned
- Peace is often worth more than getting our own way or holding our rights.
- Choosing by mere appearance can lead us toward danger we do not foresee.
- Generosity and trust leave room for God to provide far beyond what we surrender.
- Worship and calling on God's name mark the steady rhythm of a faithful life.
- Returning to God renews the worshiping heart. Abram comes back to the altar he had built and again calls on Yahweh's name, showing that worship is meant to be a steady return (Genesis 13:4, WEB).
- Peacemakers surrender their rights for unity. Abram pleads, 'let there be no strife between me and you,' and freely gives Lot first choice, valuing relationship over advantage (Genesis 13:8, WEB).
- Choosing by sight can mislead the heart. Lot lifts up his eyes and chooses the well-watered plain, yet moves toward Sodom, where the men were exceedingly wicked (Genesis 13:10, WEB).
- God's promises rest on his word, not our scheming. After Lot leaves, Yahweh tells Abram all the land he sees will be his forever, securing his future by grace (Genesis 13:15, WEB).
- God's purposes are vast beyond counting. Yahweh promises to make Abram's offspring as the dust of the earth, beyond all numbering, showing the scale of his plan (Genesis 13:16, WEB).
- Faith builds altars along the journey. Abram settles by the oaks of Mamre and builds an altar to Yahweh, again rooting his life in worship (Genesis 13:18, WEB).
- Why does Abram propose that he and Lot separate, and how does he handle the choice (Genesis 13:8-9)?
- On what basis does Lot make his choice, and what warning does the text attach to it (Genesis 13:10-13)?
- What does Yahweh promise Abram after Lot departs (Genesis 13:14-17)?
- When have you had to choose between insisting on your rights and keeping peace, and how did it turn out?
- How does Abram's example challenge the way you make decisions when something looks attractive on the surface?
- The land cannot support both households and their herdsmen are quarreling; Abram, the elder, refuses to let strife divide kin and offers Lot first pick, trusting God rather than grasping for the best portion.
- Lot chooses by what looks best, the well-watered plain like the garden of Yahweh, but the text notes he moves toward Sodom, whose men were exceedingly wicked. Appearance guides him while danger lies ahead.
- Yahweh tells Abram to look north, south, east, and west, promising all the land to him and his offspring forever and making his descendants as countless as the dust of the earth.
- Personal: invite members to recall a conflict over rights or fairness. Encourage them to weigh the value of peace and relationship, as Abram did, and to trust God to provide what they release.
- Personal: let members reflect honestly. Encourage discernment that looks beyond surface appeal to where a choice ultimately leads, and that seeks God's direction rather than relying on the eyes alone.