Genesis Chapter 13
God Promises Abram the Land Again
A. Abram and Lot Separate
(Genesis 13:1–4)
Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Abram returned to the land that God had promised him, leaving Egypt behind and traveling north to the southern region of Canaan. Though he had become very rich in livestock, silver, and gold, Abram recognized that true prosperity was not found in Egypt’s abundance but in the presence and promises of God. When he returned, he went back to the same place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, and there he rebuilt his spiritual life by returning to worship at the altar he had made before.
Even though Abram came back from Egypt with great riches, he was essentially right back where he started. His time in Egypt had been wasted time, for God could have provided for his needs in Canaan even during famine, as stated in Genesis 12:10: “Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land.” Abram’s journey to Egypt reflected a lapse in faith, a moment when he trusted in human provision rather than divine guidance.
Abram should not have used the blessing that God brought him in Egypt as justification for going there. God, in His sovereignty, can bring good even out of disobedience, but that does not mean the disobedience itself is justified. Every act of unbelief carries a cost. Abram’s unbelief took him away from his place of worship, led him into sin, and caused others to stumble, including his wife and Pharaoh’s household. It made him more confident in deception than in God’s protection, and it temporarily fractured his household. Even Pharaoh, an ungodly king, rightly rebuked Abram for his deceit, as seen in Genesis 12:18–19: “And Pharaoh called Abram and said, ‘What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, “She is my sister”? I might have taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.’”
Yet, upon returning, Abram did the right thing. Instead of wallowing in guilt over his past failure, he acted in obedience. He returned to the tent, symbolizing his pilgrim status, and to the altar, symbolizing worship and dependence on God. There he called on the name of the Lord once again. This marked spiritual renewal, for repentance is not only turning away from sin but returning to the place of worship and communion with God.
The church throughout history has faced the same dilemma regarding believers who have fallen into sin and later seek restoration. In the third century, during the Roman persecutions, some believers stood firm and became martyrs or confessors, while others recanted under threat. The early church struggled to balance grace and discipline. Some congregations were too lenient, accepting the lapsed as though nothing had occurred. Others were excessively harsh, permanently barring them from fellowship. But the biblical model, reflected in Abram’s return, is restoration with humility. Those who return are received, but they start again as learners, not as those who never stumbled.
Likewise, Abram returned to Canaan not as a man of worldly success, but as a beginner in faith. He came back to Bethel, back to the tent, back to the altar, and back to the Lord. The same principle applies to every believer who strays: restoration begins when we return to our first love and our first works, as commanded in Revelation 2:4–5: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”
Abram’s journey back to Bethel reminds believers that God is not done with us when we fail. He calls us to return, rebuild, and resume walking by faith. True repentance brings us back to the altar, where we again call upon the name of the Lord.
(Genesis 13:5–7) Contention Between Abram’s and Lot’s Hired Workers
Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
Lot, Abram’s nephew, accompanied him on his journey despite God’s original command to Abram to leave his relatives behind when entering the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:1 says, “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.’” Abram’s partial obedience in bringing Lot along eventually led to conflict. While Abram’s intentions were good—perhaps he felt responsible for Lot after the death of Lot’s father, Haran—this decision bore unintended consequences. God’s commands are precise, and even partial obedience can lead to future complications.
As time passed, both Abram and Lot prospered materially. They had flocks, herds, and tents, symbols of great wealth in that era. Yet, the land was not able to support both men and their livestock together. Their possessions were so great that they could not dwell peacefully in proximity. The abundance of blessings became a source of contention. The herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock began to argue over grazing land and water sources, creating strife between their camps.
This conflict arose not during Abram’s rebellion in Egypt, but after his restoration and return to fellowship with God. This serves as a reminder that obedience and right standing with God do not exempt a believer from trials. In fact, spiritual realignment often provokes opposition from the enemy. Satan delights in sowing discord among God’s people, especially when they are walking faithfully.
The strife between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen presented a serious problem because it threatened their witness before the pagan inhabitants of Canaan. The text notes that “the Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.” These groups, watching the dispute unfold, would likely have concluded that Abram and Lot were no different from the surrounding nations. The testimony of God’s chosen servant was at risk. As believers, how we handle conflict before a watching world speaks volumes about the God we serve. If unbelievers see Christians quarreling among themselves, they are justified in questioning the sincerity of our faith.
The Canaanites and Perizzites, seeing the fighting, might have said, “They claim to worship a different God, the true God, yet they behave just like us.” As one commentator observed, “Many people will never listen to what any believer says because of what some believers are.” The same remains true today. Division, jealousy, and contention within the Church often do more harm to the gospel’s reputation than open persecution ever could.
Finally, the passage highlights a spiritual principle regarding possessions. Both Abram and Lot were wealthy, but there was a difference in how each man related to his wealth. Abram’s possessions did not own him; he held them with an open hand before God. Lot, on the other hand, allowed his possessions to control his decisions and priorities. Lot’s heart leaned toward the material rather than the spiritual, a pattern that would become clearer as the narrative unfolds in Genesis 13–19. Wealth, in itself, is not sinful, but the attitude of the heart toward it determines whether it serves God’s purposes or becomes a snare.
The conflict between Abram and Lot illustrates how even blessings can become burdens when they are not governed by spiritual wisdom. Abram’s coming actions will demonstrate his maturity and faith, while Lot’s choices will reveal a divided heart.
(Genesis 13:8–9) Abram’s Generous Offer to Lot
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”
Abram responded to the conflict between his herdsmen and Lot’s with wisdom, humility, and love. Rather than allowing the dispute to fester, he initiated reconciliation. Abram appealed to family unity, saying, “Please let there be no strife between you and me… for we are brethren.” This appeal to brotherly love reflected Abram’s spiritual maturity. He desired peace more than personal advantage.
Abram’s statement, “Is not the whole land before you?” revealed his faith and generosity. As the elder and the one to whom God had made the promise, Abram had every right to choose first. In Genesis 12:7, God had declared, “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I will give this land.’” The promise was made to Abram, not to Lot. Yet, Abram willingly yielded his rights out of love and trust in God’s sovereignty. This was not weakness but strength. A carnal man fights for his rights; a spiritual man can afford to yield because he knows God will secure what belongs to him.
Abram said, “If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” This reveals Abram’s deep confidence that his blessing did not depend on geography but on God’s presence. A few acres of grazing land were insignificant to a man whose eyes were fixed on eternal promises. Abram’s heart was not attached to territory but to trust in the Lord’s provision.
The Apostle Paul exemplified this same principle when he voluntarily gave up his right to financial support in order to advance the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:14–18 states, “Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel. But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.”
Likewise, Christ Himself modeled the same attitude of humility and surrender. Philippians 2:5–11 declares, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Abram lived out the same principle later taught in Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” He chose the path of peace, generosity, and faith. Because Abram trusted in God’s sovereignty, he did not need to grasp for advantage or be anxious about the outcome.
Abram had once acted out of fear in Egypt, taking matters into his own hands to preserve his life. Now, he demonstrated faith born of experience. He understood that he did not have to manipulate circumstances or fight for position. Whether Lot chose the right or the left, Abram knew that God’s promise and protection went with him. His security rested not in the land he held but in the God who held him.
This mature trust freed Abram from self-centeredness. Those who truly trust in God’s providence can afford to be generous. They are not preoccupied with defending their rights, for they know that every blessing is a gift of grace, not an entitlement.
(Genesis 13:10–13) Lot Chooses His Portion of Land
And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of 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 toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.
Lot’s decision reveals the spiritual contrast between him and Abram. When presented with the choice, Lot “lifted his eyes” and made his decision based purely on what he saw. The lush, well-watered plain of the Jordan Valley reminded him of the garden of the LORD and the fertile lands of Egypt. Lot was drawn to what was visibly appealing, without considering the moral or spiritual consequences of his choice.
Faith, however, does not walk by sight but by trust in God’s promises. 2 Corinthians 5:7 teaches, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Abram walked by faith, while Lot walked by sight. Lot’s decision was driven by worldly reasoning—what looked best, what seemed most profitable. Yet spiritual discernment would have seen the danger lurking in the proximity of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Lot “pitched his tent even as far as Sodom.” At first, he lived near the city, but later he became fully integrated into it, eventually sitting among its leaders (Genesis 19:1). This gradual compromise illustrates how sin often works—it begins with proximity, then participation, and finally partnership. Lot valued material prosperity over spiritual safety, and the result was devastating.
Lot may have justified his decision by convincing himself that he could serve God there and be a witness among the wicked. Yet, as Jeremiah 17:9 warns, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” His self-deception blinded him to the peril of raising his family in a corrupt environment.
The city of Sodom was infamous for its depravity. Scripture records that “the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.” Lot’s failure was not merely in where he chose to live, but in the spiritual compromise that exposed his heart. As Alexander Maclaren observed, “In the end, he who sought this world lost it, and he who was willing to give up anything for the honour of God found it.” Lot’s heart was already wayward, and his choice merely revealed the direction in which it had long been drifting.
Abram’s generosity and faith stand in sharp contrast to Lot’s selfishness and short-sightedness. The one who trusted in God’s unseen promises found lasting blessing; the one who trusted his eyes and chased earthly gain lost everything.
B. God Confirms His Promise to Abram
(Genesis 13:14–15) God Promises the Land to Abram and to His Descendants Forever
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.”
After Lot departed, the Lord spoke to Abram again. It is significant that God waited until Lot had separated from Abram before renewing the covenant promise. The Lord desired Abram’s undivided attention and obedience, for this promise was made to Abram alone, not to his nephew. Genesis 12:1–3 records God’s initial call: “Now the LORD had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”
God now reaffirmed what He had spoken years earlier when Abram was still in Ur of the Chaldeans. According to Acts 7:2–4, “The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’ Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.”
Now that Abram had fully separated from Lot, God expanded upon His earlier promise. He told Abram to lift his eyes and survey the land in every direction—northward, southward, eastward, and westward. This command symbolized both vision and faith. Abram was to look beyond what he saw physically and believe in what God had declared spiritually. Even though Abram did not yet possess the land, God spoke in the present tense: “I give to you and your descendants forever.” This eternal promise not only affirmed Abram’s inheritance but also established the everlasting covenant between God and Abram’s descendants, the nation of Israel.
God reminded Abram that though he had been generous enough to allow Lot to choose first, none of the land was lost to him. The promise still stood in its entirety. God’s covenant was unconditional, resting solely on His faithfulness, not Abram’s circumstances. Abram’s generosity could never diminish what God had decreed.
(Genesis 13:16) God Reminds Abram of His Promise to Give Him Many Descendants
“And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.”
God’s promise now extended from the land to the people who would inherit it. He told Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth. This was an extraordinary declaration to a man who, at this stage, remained childless and advanced in age. Yet Abram believed the word of the Lord. He had learned to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting that what God had promised He was also able to perform.
This promise was not new but a reaffirmation of what God had already spoken in Genesis 12:2–3: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” It was later reiterated through the apostle Stephen in Acts 7:2–4, showing that from the very beginning, God’s covenant plan for Abram included both a land and a lineage.
God’s use of the metaphor “dust of the earth” communicated not only numerical vastness but also humility and mortality. Dust is a reminder of humanity’s origin and dependence on God. Thus, the promise carried both majesty and humility—an immeasurable number of descendants, yet all sustained by divine grace.
Abram’s faith was remarkable, for he believed God’s word despite having no visible evidence. Romans 4:20–21 later testifies of him: “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.” Abram’s trust in God’s promise became the defining mark of his righteousness before God.
(Genesis 13:17–18) Abram Walks Through the Land God Gave to Him
“Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.
God commanded Abram to arise and walk through the land as a symbolic act of possession. Though he did not yet own it legally, God wanted Abram to receive it by faith. Each step through the land represented trust in God’s word. Abram’s journey through Canaan served as both an act of worship and a prophetic claim of the territory that would one day belong to his descendants.
In the same way, believers are called to walk through the promises of God’s Word and claim them by faith. 2 Peter 1:3–4 reminds us, “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Just as Abram was to walk through the physical land, so we are to walk through the spiritual inheritance God has granted us in Christ—claiming His promises, exploring their depth, and living by faith.
Abram moved his tent to dwell by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron. The name Mamre means “vision,” and Hebron means “communion.” These names carry spiritual significance: Abram was now walking in God’s vision for his life and enjoying communion with the Lord. This marked a period of spiritual stability and renewed fellowship.
Finally, Abram built an altar there to the Lord, continuing the pattern of worship that defined his life. Every altar Abram built signified acknowledgment of God’s authority, thanksgiving for His promises, and awareness of the need for atonement. Abram lived in continual recognition of God’s grace and in humble dependence upon divine fellowship.
A Place of Separation Becomes a Place of Vision
When Lot separated from Abram, it marked more than a physical division; it became the setting for renewed revelation from God. Abram’s obedience in separating from Lot opened the way for God to reaffirm His covenant and give him greater spiritual vision. What began as a necessary act of separation became a divine moment of illumination. This principle holds true throughout Scripture—when believers separate from worldliness or compromise, God often reveals His purposes more clearly.
Peter gives a sobering example of this principle in 2 Peter 2:6–7, 9: “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)… then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” Even though Lot was considered righteous, he was deeply vexed by the corruption that surrounded him in Sodom. His decision to live near sin instead of separating from it led to personal anguish and loss.
Jesus also referenced the days of Lot as a warning to future generations. Luke 17:26–30 says, “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed.” The pattern of worldly attachment and sudden judgment repeats, reminding believers that separation from sin is not merely moral but prophetic—it prepares the heart to see God’s coming work.
It was at this time, after Lot departed, that Abram dwelt near the great trees of Mamre, in Hebron. Genesis 14:13 later describes this same area: “Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram.” This place would become one of the most sacred and enduring locations in Israel’s history.
Hebron: The Place of Communion
The name Hebron means “joined together” or “communion.” This ancient city, located in southern Judah, lies nineteen miles southwest of Jerusalem at the junction of the region’s main highways. It stands 3,040 feet above sea level, giving it a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. Josephus, the Jewish historian, wrote that Hebron was more ancient than the city of Memphis in Egypt, signifying its deep historical roots. Near Hebron lies the Cave of Machpelah, which Abram would later purchase as a burial site for Sarah in Genesis 23:19–20: “And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.”
The Cave of Machpelah became the resting place not only of Sarah but also of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Rebekah, and Leah. Thus, Hebron stands as a symbol of enduring faith, covenant promise, and communion between God and His people. It represents both the spiritual elevation of fellowship with God and the eternal perspective of those who live by faith.
Lot’s Steps Toward Compromise
Lot’s spiritual decline can be traced in a series of small but consequential decisions. Scripture records that he:
Beheld the land — he lifted his eyes and chose based on appearance.
Chose the land — prioritizing material prosperity over spiritual safety.
Departed to the land — separating himself from godly influence.
Dwelt in the plain — moving closer to moral danger.
Pitched his tent toward Sodom — showing attraction to the world.
Dwelt in Sodom — fully immersing himself in a wicked environment.
Sat in the gate of Sodom — becoming a civic leader in a corrupt city (Genesis 19:1).
Sin rarely overtakes a man in one moment; it progresses step by step through compromise. Lot was later rescued from abduction in Genesis 14 when Abram delivered him, yet even after his deliverance, Lot returned to Sodom. Though Scripture calls him “righteous” in 2 Peter 2:7–8, he remained spiritually tormented and diminished in influence. His righteousness was real, but his compromise cost him his peace, his testimony, and his family’s stability.
Abram’s Three Visions: “Lifted Up His Eyes”
Abram “lifted up his eyes” three distinct times in Scripture, each marking a moment of divine revelation and faith:
He saw the land — when God reaffirmed His covenant promise in Genesis 13:14–15.
He saw three visitors — the Lord and two angels at the Oaks of Mamre in Genesis 18:1–2, foreshadowing fellowship and intercession.
He saw the ram — the substitutionary sacrifice provided by God on Mount Moriah in Genesis 22:13, prefiguring the redemptive work of Christ.
Each vision represents a progression in Abram’s walk with God: possession of the promise, communion with God’s presence, and revelation of God’s provision.
Abram vs. Lot: A Contrast of Faith and Worldliness
Abram walked by faith; Lot walked by sight. Abram trusted in unseen promises, while Lot followed visible prosperity.
Abram was generous and magnanimous; Lot was greedy and worldly. Abram yielded choice out of faith; Lot grasped for advantage out of covetousness.
Abram looked for God’s city; Lot made his home in a city destined for destruction. Abram sought eternal foundations, while Lot invested in temporal comfort.
Abram became the father of all who believe; Lot was remembered with perpetual infamy. Abram’s faith blessed generations; Lot’s compromise serves as a warning.
A place of separation became a place of vision for Abram, while a place of opportunity became a place of corruption for Lot. One man’s obedience opened the door to communion with God; the other’s compromise led to the loss of nearly everything he valued.
