Genesis Chapter 13 - — Abram and Lot Separate | In His Image - Genesis Bible Study
Genesis 13 continues Abram’s journey after his return from Egypt. Abram traveled back into the land of Canaan with Sarai, Lot, and the possessions he had acquired. Scripture emphasizes that Abram had become “very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold” (Genesis 13:2).
Abram returned to the place between Bethel and Hai (Ai) where he had previously built an altar, and there he called upon the name of the LORD.
Lot, who traveled with Abram, had also accumulated flocks, herds, and tents. Their possessions became so great that the land could not adequately support both households together. As a result, strife arose between Abram’s herdmen and Lot’s herdmen.
Rather than allowing the conflict to grow, Abram sought peace. Although Abram was the elder and the one to whom God had given the promise, he allowed Lot to choose where he would live.
Lot looked toward the well-watered plain of Jordan and chose it for himself. He journeyed east and eventually pitched his tent toward Sodom. Scripture immediately warns the reader:
“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” — Genesis 13:13 KJV
After Lot separated from Abram, God again spoke to Abram. He told him to look northward, southward, eastward, and westward, promising that the land he could see would be given to him and his seed. God also promised that Abram’s descendants would become as numerous as the dust of the earth.
Abram then moved his tent to the plain of Mamre in Hebron, where he built another altar unto the LORD.
Genesis 13:2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Genesis 13:3 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;
Genesis 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 13:5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
Genesis 13:6 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.
Genesis 13:7 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.
Genesis 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. {brethren: Heb. men brethren}
Genesis 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Genesis 13:10 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.
Genesis 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
Genesis 13:14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
Genesis 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Genesis 13:16 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.
Genesis 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
Genesis 13:18 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.
(KJV)
Observation Questions
According to Genesis 13:1–2, who returned from Egypt with Abram, and what does Scripture say about Abram’s possessions?
Where did Abram go after leaving Egypt, and what did he do when he returned to the place of the altar?
Why was the land unable to support Abram and Lot dwelling together?
What solution did Abram propose when strife arose between their herdmen?
What did Lot see when he lifted up his eyes, and what region did he choose for himself?
After Lot separated from Abram, what promises did the LORD make concerning the land and Abram’s seed?
Reflection Questions
Abram returned to the altar and called upon the name of the LORD. What does this teach you about returning to worship and seeking God after a difficult season?
Abram had the stronger claim to the land, yet he allowed Lot to choose first. What does this reveal about Abram’s growing trust in God’s promise?
How does Abram’s response to the conflict between the herdmen teach you to handle disagreements before they become destructive?
Lot chose according to what appeared desirable to his eyes. What does his decision teach you about making choices based primarily upon outward appearance or material advantage?
Lot gradually moved toward Sodom. Are there choices that may appear harmless initially but can slowly move a person closer to spiritually dangerous environments?
God spoke to Abram after Lot departed. What does this teach you about trusting God when separation, transition, or loss occurs in your life?
Practical Application
Genesis 13 presents a powerful contrast between walking by faith and choosing by sight.
When Abram and Lot faced conflict, Abram did not fight to secure what God had already promised him. He could afford to give Lot the first choice because his confidence was increasingly resting in God rather than geography.
Lot, however:
“lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where.” — Genesis 13:10
What Lot saw was attractive. The land appeared prosperous and productive. But physical appearance did not reveal its spiritual condition.
Immediately afterward Scripture tells us:
“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” — Genesis 13:13
This teaches an important principle: everything that looks beneficial is not necessarily spiritually beneficial.
A decision can make sense economically, socially, or naturally and still move us toward an environment that negatively influences our household and spiritual life.
There is also a progression worth observing:
Lot looked toward the plain → chose the plain → journeyed east → dwelt in the cities of the plain → pitched his tent toward Sodom.
By Genesis 14:12, Lot is no longer merely facing Sodom—he is dwelling in Sodom.
Compromise often develops gradually rather than suddenly.
Abram’s story moves in another direction. After Lot leaves, God tells Abram:
“Lift up now thine eyes...” — Genesis 13:14
Both men lifted their eyes, but there is a significant difference.
Lot lifted his eyes and chose for himself.
God told Abram when to lift his eyes and showed him what He had promised.
That contrast provides a valuable lesson for our decisions: rather than simply asking, “What looks best to me?”, we should also ask, “What is God showing me, and what agrees with His Word and His purpose?”
Finally, Abram moves to Mamre and builds another altar.
His journey in Genesis 13 begins at an altar and ends at an altar.
That is a beautiful picture of a life learning to walk with God through prosperity, conflict, separation, and promise.
Key Truth
Genesis 13 teaches us not to judge our choices merely by what appears prosperous before our eyes. Lot chose according to what he saw, while Abram increasingly learned to rest in what God had promised. Faith does not have to grasp for what God has already determined to give.
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