Genesis 13:11-18

11 Lot took the whole plain of the Jordan. Lot set out to the east.
12 Abram settled in Canaan; Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent near Sodom.
13 The people of Sodom were evil - flagrant sinners against God.
14 After Lot separated from him, God said to Abram, "Open your eyes, look around. Look north, south, east, and west.
15 Everything you see, the whole land spread out before you, I will give to you and your children forever.
16 I'll make your descendants like dust - counting your descendants will be as impossible as counting the dust of the Earth.
17 So - on your feet, get moving! Walk through the country, its length and breadth; I'm giving it all to you."
18 Abram moved his tent. He went and settled by the Oaks of Mamre in Hebron. There he built an altar to God.

Genesis 13:11-18 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 13

This chapter gives an account of the return of Abram from Egypt to the land of Canaan, and to the same place in it he had been before, Ge 13:1-4 and of a strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot, and the occasion of it, Ge 13:5-7 which was composed by the prudent proposal of Abram, Ge 13:8,9 upon which they parted; Abram continued in Canaan, and Lot chose the plain of Jordan, and dwelt near Sodom, a place infamous for wickedness, Ge 13:10-13 after which the Lord renewed to Abram the grant of the land of Canaan to him, and to his seed, Ge 13:14-17 and then he removed to the plain of Mamre in Hebron, and there set up the worship of God, Ge 13:18.

Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.