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Genesis 13 Commentary

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Genesis 13:1-4

Abram returns from Egypt to Canaan with even more wealth. He worships God for his blessings.

Genesis 13:5-7

Conflicts break out between Lot and Abram’s herdsmen. The Canaanites and Perizzites lived in the land too.

Genesis 13:8-11

Abram did not want any strife, so he gave Lot the choice of land. Lot chose the land to the east in the valley of Jordan. Uncle and nephew parted from each other.

Genesis 13:12-15

Abram stays in Canaan and God restates His promises to give this land to him and his descendants.

Genesis 13:16-18

God reminds Abram of the promise to give him numerous descendants and reaffirms the length and breadth of the land that will be theirs. Abram moves to Hebron and builds an altar.

Additional Resources

Genesis is a book about many beginnings. The beginnings of the world, the human race, sin and redemption, and the nation of Israel to name a few. In fact, the word Genesis from the Greek means “origin,” and in Hebrew it means “beginning.” The book of Genesis contains the events of the flood, tower of Babel, Sodom and Gomorrah, and the lives of the Patriarchs.

In the beginning, God created everything by simply speaking, “God said…and it was so” (Genesis 1:6-7, 9, 11, 14-15). This is not a scientific technical account of creation, but it shows a loving God creating a universe and mankind to rule it and fellowship with God. Man was formed especially from the ground and given the breath of life from God. The woman was made from the man’s rib (Genesis 2:7).

After man fell into sin, things began to spin out of control quickly. Cain murdered his brother Abel and the human race became so violent that God decided to destroy them all with a flood. God saved one righteous man (Noah) and his family in an ark filled with animals to deliver the human race from extinction. God chose Abraham and blessed a special group of people named “Israel.” God began to unfold a plan of salvation from a coming famine by sending Joseph to rule in Egypt. The failure of man in every circumstance is met by the salvation of God. We fail, but the good news is God saves us.

Chapter Context

In Genesis 13, Abram returns from Egypt to Canaan. Lot and Abram had been together since they left Ur years before. Their flocks and herds and tents had become large enough that a dispute between their herdsmen broke out over pasture lands. So, Lot and Abram agreed to separate. Lot chose to move eastward towards Sodom and Gomorrah, choosing the more fertile, the “well-watered” land, in spite of the wickedness of the inhabitants. God reiterates and expands His promises to Abram. Abram settles in Hebron.