Lot’s choice is presented as a purely practical, even greedy, decision based on outward appearance. The text emphasizes that his gaze was fixed on the land's lushness—described as being like Eden and Egypt—ignoring the looming spiritual danger connected to the cities within that very region.
And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
English Standard Version (ESV)
Abram and Lot's growing flocks have created tension, leading Abram to generously offer Lot the first choice of land. Lot, seeing the lush, well-watered Jordan Valley – which was fertile and prosperous before its destruction – immediately chooses this desirable region for himself, setting the stage for their separation.
Lot looks out and sees a land of incredible beauty and fertility, even compared to Eden and Egypt. What makes this place so captivating?
When Lot 'lifted up his eyes,' he saw the 'plain of Jordan' described as 'well watered everywhere.' This wasn't just good farmland; it was a vision of abundance, a place that reminded him of the most perfect, life-giving environments imaginable: 'the garden of the LORD' and 'the land of Egypt.'
A Land of Divine Provision
Lot's gaze was drawn to the sheer physical beauty and the promise of material prosperity. This choice wasn't just about finding a place for his sheep; it was about being captivated by a vision of earthly perfection.
The verse includes a stark reminder: 'before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.' How does this knowledge cast a shadow over Lot's beautiful discovery?
The magnificent plain Lot surveyed was not merely a picture of Edenic beauty; it was also a place under divine judgment. The phrase 'before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah' is a critical piece of context, a foreboding whisper that changes everything.
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A Tale of Two Destinies
Lot's choice, driven by the allure of superficial beauty and abundance, led him directly into the path of God's wrath. This highlights the danger of prioritizing earthly comfort and beauty over godly character and community.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the one true God of Israel, indicating His self-existence, eternal nature, and personal faithfulness to His people.
gan · Hebrew Noun
The primary habitation of God and humanity in perfection, representing a place of abundance, divine presence, and ideal communion before the entrance of sin.
shachath · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the moral corruption and rebellion of humanity against God, resulting in divine judgment, destruction, or separation from His presence.
Lot's choice highlights how outward appearances of prosperity can be deceptive, leading one towards places of hidden danger and divine judgment, contrasting sharply with Abram's patient trust in God's spoken promise.
c. 2000 BC
Abram and Lot travel from Egypt to Canaan
Abram and his nephew Lot, having acquired wealth in Egypt, journey back towards the land of Canaan. This return sets the stage for their eventual separation.
c. 2000 BC
Abram and Lot's possessions cause conflict
The growing herds and possessions of Abram and Lot lead to strife between their herdsmen, forcing a difficult decision to prevent further discord.
c. 2000 BC
Abram offers Lot the first choice of land
In an act of generous peacemaking, Abram allows his nephew Lot to choose which territory he will settle, demonstrating Abram's humility and wisdom.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Lot chooses the well-watered Jordan Valley
Lot, looking towards the lush Jordan Valley, chooses it for himself, seeing its great fertility and mistaking its outward appearance for true blessing.
c. 2000 BC
Lot settles near Sodom
Lot pitches his tent near the infamous city of Sodom, unaware of the deep wickedness that characterizes its inhabitants.
c. 2000 BC
God promises the land to Abram
Following Lot's departure, God reaffirms His covenant promises to Abram, assuring him that the land will be his and his descendants' inheritance.
c. 2000 BC
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
Due to the extreme wickedness of their inhabitants, Sodom and Gomorrah are divinely destroyed by fire and brimstone, fulfilling the warning implicit in Lot's choice.
This passage describes Sodom's sin as pride, excess, and neglecting the poor, directly contrasting with the outward beauty Lot saw and highlighting the hidden spiritual decay beneath the surface.
Matthew 6:24This verse directly addresses the danger of serving two masters, wealth and God, which is a core theme in Lot's choice of the well-watered plain over his uncle Abram's spiritual path.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, which is a cautionary tale for Lot, whose desire for material prosperity led him to make a fateful choice.
Proverbs 14:12This proverb states that there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death, echoing the deceptive allure of the Jordan plain for Lot, which ultimately led to destruction.
Genesis 19:16This verse shows Lot being 'lingering' when urged to flee Sodom, illustrating how deeply he had become attached to the very place his initial choice had led him, despite its wickedness.
gillGenesis 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."
And Lot lifted up his eyes,.... He immediately fell in with Abram's proposal, but had not the ingenuity to return back the choice to Abram which he gave him, but took the advantage of it; nor did he show any uneasiness or unwillingness to part from Abr…
calvinGenesis 13:1-20: "And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south."
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.
Numquid non omnis terra est coram to? separa to nunc ame: si ieris ad sinistram, dextram tenebo: et si ad dextram ieris, sinistram tenebo.
And Lot lifted up his…
Lot’s choice is presented as a purely practical, even greedy, decision based on outward appearance. The text emphasizes that his gaze was fixed on the land's lushness—described as being like Eden and Egypt—ignoring the looming spiritual danger connected to the cities within that very region.
Abram and Lot's growing flocks have created tension, leading Abram to generously offer Lot the first choice of land. Lot, seeing the lush, well-watered Jordan Valley – which was fertile and prosperous before its destruction – immediately chooses this desirable region for himself, setting the stage for their separation.
Abram and Lot's growing flocks have created tension, leading Abram to generously offer Lot the first choice of land. Lot, seeing the lush, well-watered Jordan Valley – which was fertile and prosperous before its destruction – immediately chooses this desirable region for himself, setting the stage for their separation.
"And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)" — Lot’s choice is presented as a purely practical, even greedy, decision based on outward appearance. The text emphasizes that his gaze was fixed on the land's lushness—described as being like Eden and…
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Last reviewed October 2026
