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Genesis 13

The patriarchs Joseph in Egypt Israel in Egypt Sojourn: oppression in Egypt 2100 BC 2000 BC 1900 BC 1800 BC 1700 BC The patriarchs Joseph in Egypt Israel in Egypt Sojourn: oppression in Egypt 2000 BC 1900 BC 1800 BC 1700 BC 1600 BC

The patriarchs: 2167–1805 BC 1990–1609 BC

On the Timeline
On the Biblical World
Dates follow one of two datings of the Exodus:
What the marks mean
  • 3 A verse number with a dotted line opens the verses that echo it.
  • A gold ring follows the Thread: the promise that runs from here to Jesus.
  • a A small letter opens the translators’ footnote.

Abram and Lot Part Ways

So Abram went up out of Egypt into the Negev—he and his wife and all his possessions—and Lot was with him. And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold.

From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched, to the site where he had built the altar. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.

Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land was unable to support both of them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to coexist. And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land.

So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself 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.”

Lot Proceeds toward Sodom

And Lot looked out and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan, all the way to Zoar, was well watered like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan for himself and set out toward the east. And Abram and Lot parted company.

Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD.

God Renews the Promise to Abram

After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.a

I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. Get up and walk around the land, through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you.”

So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaksb of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.

Genesis 13:1

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Genesis 13:3

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Genesis 13:5

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Genesis 13:6

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Genesis 13:11

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Genesis 13:12

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Genesis 13:14

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Genesis 13:17

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Where this fits in Genesis

Genesis falls into four parts, and chapter 13 belongs to Abraham. Each part’s name takes you to where it begins.

  1. Beginnings

    Creation to Babel. Genesis 1:1–11:26.

  2. Abraham (this chapter is here)

    Abraham's call, to his death. Genesis 11:27–25:18.

  3. Isaac and Jacob

    Isaac's sons, and Jacob's family. Genesis 25:19–37:1.

  4. Joseph

    Joseph, and Israel's move to Egypt. Genesis 37:2–50:26.

The sections of chapter 13

As the Berean Standard Bible heads them. Each takes you to its first verse.