Genesis 13

1

Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. South. With respect to Judea, which the sacred writers have always in view.

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2

Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. Rich in possession. Hebrew may be “heavy laden with cattle, gold,” and so forth Menochius.

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3

He 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,

4

to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on the LORD’s name.

5

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents.

6

The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their possessions were so great that they couldn’t live together.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 6. To bear or feed their flocks, as well as those of the Chanaanites. Calmet.

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7

There 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.

8

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.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 8. Abram therefore, for fear of raising a quarrel with the Pherezites also, who might complain that these strangers were eating up what they had before taken possession of, suggests to his nephew the propriety of their taking different courses. Being the older, he divides, and the younger chooses, according to an ancient and laudable custom. Saint Augustine de Calmet. D. xvi. 20.

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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 the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the LORD, 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 from one another.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. From the east of Pentapolis to Sodom, ( Menochius.) or to the east of the place where Abram was, as Onkelos has it. The Hebrew may signify either. Grotius.

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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 the LORD.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 13. Sinners before, and so forth That is, truly, without restraint or disguise. Lot might not have been acquainted with their dissolute morals, when he made this choice; in which however he consulted only his senses, and looked for temporal advantages, which ended in sorrow. This God permitted for a warning to us; and to restrain the Sodomites, by the example of Lot’s justice, contrasted with the abominable lives. Bible.—Ezechiel 16:49, explains the causes of their wickedness.

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14

The 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,

15

for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 15. And to: This is by way of explanation to the former words: (Ha.) for Abram never possessed a foot of this land by inheritance. Acts 8:5. Even his posterity never enjoyed it, at least, for any long time. Saint Augustine gives the reason; because the promise was conditional, and the Jews did not fulfil their part by obedience and fidelity. q. 3. in Gen. It is better, however, to understand these promises of another land, which the people, who imitate the faith of Abram, shall enjoy in the world to come. Calmet. Romans 4:16.

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16

I 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.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 16. As the dust, an hyperbole, to express a very numerous offspring, which is more exact, if we take in the spiritual children of Abram. Menochius.

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17

Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 17. Through. Lot has chosen a part, I give the whole to thee. Thou mayest take possession of it, and go wherever thou hast a mind. Calmet.

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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.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 18. Vale, or grove of oaks, where there was a famous one which was called the oak of Mambre, either from the neighbouring city, or from a man of that name. Calmet. 14:13. Menochius.—Hebron was on the hill above. Calmet.

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