Bible Commentaries
Genesis 13

Verse 3

And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;

He went on to Bethel — Thither he went, not only because he was willing to go among his old acquaintance; but because there he had formerly had his altar. and though the altar was gone, probably he himself having taking it down when he left the place, lest it should be polluted by the idolatrous Canaanites; yet he came to the place of the altar, either to revive the remembrance of the sweet communion he had had with God at that place, or, perhaps, to pay the vows he had there made to God when he undertook his journey into Egypt.

Verse 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.

The land was not able to bear them — The place was too strait for them, and they had not room for their flocks.

Verse 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.

And the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled in the land — This made the quarrel, 1. Very dangerous; if Abram and Lot cannot agree to feed their flocks together, it is well if the common enemy do not come upon them and plunder them both — 2. Very scandalous: No doubt the eyes of all the neighbours were upon them, because of the singularity of their religion, and the extraordinary sanctity they professed; and notice would soon be taken of this quarrel, and improvement made of it to their reproach by the Canaanites and Perizzites.

Verse 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.

The garden of the Lord — That is, paradise.

Verse 13

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Sinners before the Lord — That is, impudent daring sinners.

Verse 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.

I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth — That is, they shall increase incredibly, and take them altogether; they shall be such a great multitude as no man can number. They were so in Solomon’s time, 1 Kings 4:20. Judah and Israel were many as the land which is by the sea in multitude. This God here gives him the promise of.

Verse 17

Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Arise, walk through the land — Enter and take possession, survey the parcels, and it will appear better than upon a distant prospect.

Verse 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.

Then Abram removed his tent — God bid him walk through the land, that is, Do not think of fixing in it, but expect to be always unsettled, and walking through it to a better Canaan; in compliance with God’s will herein, he removed his tent, conforming himself to the condition of a pilgrim.

And he built there an altar — in token of his thankfulness to God for the kind visit he had made him.