Genesis 13:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 13:5-9

We have here an unhappy falling out between Abram and Lot, who had hitherto been inseparable companions (see Gen. 13:1; and Gen. 12:4), but now parted. I. The occasion of their quarrel was their riches. We read (Gen. 13:2) how rich Abram was; now here we are told (Gen. 13:5) that Lot, who went with Abram, was rich too; and therefore God blessed him with riches because he went with Abram. Note, 1. It is good being in good company, and going with those with whom God is, Zech. 8:23. 2. Those that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 13:9

Is not the whole land before thee ?.... Signifying, that though there were not room and convenience for them both in that part of the country in which they were, yet there were in other parts; and though the land was given to Abram, he did not desire Lot to depart out of it; nay, he sets it all before him to choose what part he would dwell in, which was great condescension in him: separate thyself, I pray thee, from me ; not that he was weary of his company and fellowship with him,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 13:9

Is not the whole land before thee - As the patriarch or head of the family, Abram, by prescriptive right, might have chosen his own portion first, and appointed Lot his; but intent upon peace, and feeling pure and parental affection for his nephew, he permitted him to make his choice first. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 13:9

Verse 9 9.Is not the whole land before thee ? Here is that moderation of which I have spoken; namely, that Abram for the sake of appeasing strifes voluntarily sacrifices his own right. For as ambition and the desire of victory (354) is the mother of all contentions; so when every one meekly and moderately departs, in some degree, from his just claim, the best remedy is found for the removal of all cause of bitterness. Abram might indeed, with an honorable pretext, have more pertinaciously... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 13:1-13

The separation between Abram and Lot. Return to Bethel—to the altar. The circumstances of the patriarch were very different. He was very rich. Lot is with him, and the sojourn in Egypt had far more depraving effect upon his weaker character than upon that of his uncle. We should remember when we take the young into temptation that what may be comparatively harmless to us may be ruinous to them. The subsequent misery of Lot's career may be all traced to the sojourn in Egypt. I. The root... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 13:9

Is not the whole land before thee? The Bethel plateau commands an extensive view of Palestine ( vide on Genesis 13:10 ). Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. Thus giving Lot the choice of the country. If thou wilt take the left hand (literally, if to the left hand (sc. thou wilt go), the Hebrew term being in the accusative after a verb of motion— then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. HOMILETICS read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 13:9

The magnanimity of Abram. I. WHEN IT WAS EVOKED . 1. On returning to the land of Canaan . Departing into Egypt, the better nature of the patriarch became obscured and enfeebled, and he himself became the subject of timorous emotions, the deviser of guileful machinations, and the perpetrator of unworthy actions; retracing his erring footsteps to the holy soil, he seems as it were immediately to have recovered the nobility and grandeur of soul which he had lost in the land... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 13:1-18

- Abram and Lot Separate7. פרזי perı̂zı̂y, Perizzi, “descendant of Paraz.” פרז pārāz, “leader,” or inhabitant of the plain or open country.10. ככר kı̂kar, “circle, border, vale, cake, talent;” related: “bow, bend, go round, dance.” ירדן yardēn, Jardan, “descending.” Usually with the article in prose. צער tso‛ar, Tso‘ar, “smallness.”18. ממרא mamrē', Mamre, “fat, strong, ruler.” חברון chebrôn, Chebron, “conjunction, confederacy.”Lot has been hitherto kept in association with Abram by the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 13:8-9

Genesis 13:8-9 . Although Abram was the elder, wiser, and every way worthier person than Lot, yet he voluntarily, and without reluctance or hesitation, relinquishes his own right to his inferior for the sake of peace, that no scandal might be brought on the true religion, hereby leaving a noble example for our imitation. Let there be no strife between me and thee So nearly related as kinsmen, and as worshippers and children of the one living and true God. Betwixt us a contention will be... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 13:1-18

Journey to Egypt and return (12:10-13:18)A long drought in Canaan must have caused Abram to wonder just how reliable this promised land was. In the end he journeyed to Egypt in search of better pastures (10).Fearing that the Egyptians would kill him in order to take his beautiful wife, he preserved himself by saying she was his sister. This was half true, because Sarai was a daughter of Terah by another wife (see 20:12); but Abram and Sarai did wrong in telling only half the truth in order to... read more

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