CHAPTER XIII _Abram and his family return out of Egypt to Canaan_, 1, 2. _He revisits Beth-el, and there invokes the Lord_, 3, 4. _In consequence of the great increase in the flocks of Abram_ _and Lot, their herdmen disagree; which obliges the patriarch_ _and his nephew to separate_, 5-9. _Lot... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:2. _ABRAM WAS VERY RICH_] The property of these patriarchal times did not consist in _flocks_ only, but also in _silver_ and _gold;_ and in all these respects Abram was דבד מאד _cabed meod_, exceeding rich. Josephus says that a part of this property was acquired by teaching the Egyp... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:3. _BETH-EL_] See chap. Genesis 8.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:6. _THEIR SUBSTANCE WAS GREAT_] As their families increased, it was necessary their flocks should increase also, as from those flocks they derived their clothing, food, and drink. Many also were offered in sacrifice to God. _THEY COULD NOT DWELL TOGETHER_] 1. Because their flocks... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:7. _THE CANAANITE AND THE PERIZZITE DWELLED THEN IN THE_ _LAND._] That is, they were _there_ at the time Abram and Lot came to fix their tents in the land. Genesis 12:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:8. _FOR WE BE BRETHREN._] We are of the same family, worship the same God in the same way, have the same promises, and look for the same end. Why then should there be strife? If it appear to be unavoidable from our present situation, let that situation be instantly changed, for no s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:10. _LIKE THE LAND OF EGYPT, AS THOU COMEST UNTO ZOAR._] There is an obscurity in this verse which _Houbigant_ has removed by the following translation: _Ea autem, priusquam Sodomam_ _Gornorrhamque Do minus delerit, erat, qua itur Segor, tota_ _irrigua, quasi hortus Domini, et quasi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:11. _THEN LOT CHOSE HIM ALL THE PLAIN_] A little civility or good breeding is of great importance in the concerns of life. Lot either had none, or did not profit by it. He certainly should have left the choice to the patriarch, and should have been guided by his counsel; but he took... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:13. _THE MEN OF SODOM WERE WICKED_] רעים _raim_, from רע, _ra, to break in pieces, destroy_, and _afflict_; meaning persons who broke the established order of things, destroyed and confounded the distinctions between right and wrong, and who afflicted and tormented both themselves... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:14. _THE LORD SAID UNTO ABRAM_] It is very likely that the angel of the covenant appeared to Abram in _open day_, when he could take a distinct view of the length and the breadth of this good land. The revelation made Genesis 15:5, was evidently made in the _night_; for then he was... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:15. _TO THEE WILL I GIVE IT, AND TO THY SEED FOR EVER._] This land was given to Abram, that it might lineally and legally descend to his posterity; and though Abram himself cannot be said to have possessed it, Acts 7:5, yet it was the gift of God to him in behalf of his seed; and t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Genesis 13:18. _ABRAM REMOVED HIS TENT_] Continued to travel and pitch in different places, till at last he fixed his tent in the _plain_, or _by the oak, of Mamre_, see Genesis 12:6, _which is in Hebron_; i.e., the district in which Mamre was situated _was called Hebron_. Mamre was an Amorit... [ Continue Reading ]