Genesis 13:11

11 So Lot chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other.

Genesis 13:11 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 13:11

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan
Because of its good pasturage, and because of the plenty of water there; the want of both which was the inconvenience he had laboured under, and had occasioned the strife between his and Abram's servants: and Lot journeyed east,
or "eastward"; for the plain of Jordan, and that part of the land on which Sodom and Gomorrah stood, were to the east of Bethel: the phrase is by some rendered "from the east" F25, and the particle used most commonly so signifies; and Jarchi observes, that he journeyed from east to west; and Aben Ezra says, that Sodom was at the west of Bethel, in which he is most certainly wrong, for it was most clearly in the eastern part of the land; wherefore others, that follow this version, interpret it, that he went from the east of Bethel, or he went into that country situated at the east with respect to the land of Canaan; but it is best to render it as we do, east or eastward, to or towards the east F26: and they separated themselves the one from the other;
that is, Abram and Lot, they parted good friends by consent; and the one went with his family, flocks, and herds, to one place, and settled there; and the other in another place, and so further animosities and contentions were prevented.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mdqm) "ab Oriente", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Cocceius, Schmidt.
F26 "Orientem versus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius, Cartwrightus.

Genesis 13:11 In-Context

9 Isn't the whole land before you? Separate from me: if [you go] to the left, I will go to the right; if [you go] to the right, I will go to the left."
10 Lot looked out and saw that the entire Jordan Valley as far as Zoar was well-watered everywhere like the Lord's garden and the land of Egypt. This was before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
11 So Lot chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other.
12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities of the valley and set up his tent near Sodom.
13 Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning greatly against the Lord.
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