Bible Commentaries
Genesis 13

Verse 1

Up = Palestine an ascent from Egypt.

south = Hebrew. the Negeb, S. of Judea, N. from Egypt. Compare Genesis 11:9 .

Verse 2

silver, and in gold: scarce in Palestine, but plentiful in Egypt.

Verse 3

tent: shows him a stranger.

at the beginning: very significant. No altar for Abram in Egypt.

between Beth-el and Hai. Probably Ebal or Gerizim. See note on Genesis 12:8 .

Verse 4

altar: shows him to be a worshipper.

at the first. No worship in Egypt. See note Genesis 13:3 .

Verse 5

tents. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject): "tents" put for the dwellers therein.

Verse 6

them. Those two. For signification of the No. 2, see App-10 .

Verse 7

strife. The first step in Lot's downward course. Note Lot's six downward steps: Genesis 13:7 , "strife"; Genesis 13:10 , "beheld"; Genesis 13:11 , "chose": Genesis 13:12 , "pitched toward"; Genesis 14:12 , "dwelt in": Genesis 19:1 , "sat in its gate", as a ruler and citizen. See App-10 .

Canaanite and Perizzite. See on Genesis 12:6 . These were the Nephilim. See App-23 .

dwelled. Hebrew were dwelling.

then = already. See note on Genesis 12:6 .

in the land. Occupying it in advance, and spreading later to "the giant cities of Bashan".

Verse 8

brethren. Put by Synecdoche (of Species), for relatives. App-6 .

Verse 9

Is not the whole land, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis .

thou wilt take. Figure of speech Complex Ellipsis. See App-6 .

Verse 10

well watered. Great contrast with Palestine after the famine; and likeness to the fertility of Egypt.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Sodom = flaming, burning.

Gomorrah = people of fear: already mixed up in the sins of the Nephilim. 2 Peter 2:4 .Jude 1:6 .

Verse 11

chose. Lot lifted up his own eyes (Genesis 13:10 ), and made his own choice. Compare Abram, Genesis 13:14 .

Verse 12

cities = one of the cities. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole). See App-6 . Greek "among the cities". Compare Genesis 13:18 .

toward Sodom. See note on Genesis 13:7 .

Verse 13

A parenthetical statement to show the nature of Lot's choice. Figure of speech. Parenthesis. App-6 .

wicked and sinners = very wicked sinners. Figure of speech. Hendiadys.

Verse 14

look. Note Abraham's four "looks": Genesis 13:14 (earth); Genesis 15:5 (heaven); Genesis 18:2 (Jehovah); Genesis 22:13 (a substitute).

Verse 15

to thee. Repeated to Isaac (Genesis 26:3 ), and to Jacob (Genesis 28:13 ; Genesis 35:12 ). See note on Genesis 50:24 .

for ever. Hence Israel is "the everlasting nation", Isaiah 44:7 . "To thee" ensures resurrection. Compare Matthew 22:23-33 .

Verse 16

dust. Figure of speech Paroemia. In Genesis 15:5 , as the "stars", marking the two parties in Israel: the earthly and heavenly (Hebrews 11:9-16 ); partakers of "the heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1 ).

Verse 18

plain = among the oaks belonging to Mamre, brother of Eshcol and Aner (Genesis 14:13 ).