Genesis 13:5-7
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This verse subtly reveals that Lot's wealth and possessions were also abundant, not just Abram's. It highlights that Lot wasn't merely a follower but a man of significant substance in his own right, foreshadowing the tensions that would arise from their shared prosperity.
And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After returning from Egypt with increased wealth, Abram and his nephew Lot found that their combined possessions of livestock and tents were too great for the land to support them living together. This verse highlights Lot's substantial prosperity, mirroring Abram's, which set the stage for the inevitable conflict between their herders. The growing tension over scarce resources and grazing land quickly escalated, prompting Abram to propose a separation for the sake of peace.
Abram and Lot were both blessed with incredible wealth, but this abundance soon created a crisis.
The verse highlights that Lot, who accompanied Abram, also possessed extensive possessions: "flocks, and herds, and tents." This isn't just a detail; it sets the stage for the conflict that arises. Abram's prosperity had overflowed to Lot, making him a man of significant means as well. This shared abundance, while a sign of God's blessing, also created a practical problem: the land couldn't support both of their large households and livestock.
The prosperity of Abram and Lot was so great it led to an unavoidable tension, revealing deeper issues.
The simple statement that Lot 'also' had flocks and herds and tents serves as an introduction to a brewing conflict. The commentators note that this immense wealth, while seemingly a good thing, was the very cause of strife. It wasn't just about the quantity of possessions, but how they were managed and the pressures they exerted.
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Understand the original words
'erets · Hebrew Noun
The physical territory or ground given by God to His people; it carries deep theological significance as a place of blessing, dwelling, and covenant fulfillment.
riyb · Hebrew Noun
Dispute, contention, or conflict, often arising from human sin, selfishness, or disagreements over resources or status.
miqneh · Hebrew Noun
A collective term for animals raised for agricultural or economic purposes, symbolizing wealth and provision in the ancient Near Eastern context.
Kena'aniy · Hebrew Noun
People groups inhabiting the land of Canaan prior to the Israelite conquest, often representing the pagan environment or opposition surrounding God’s people.
Perizziy · Hebrew Noun
A group listed among the inhabitants of the land of Canaan who, like the Canaanites, represent the indigenous population occupying the territory promised to the patriarchs.
This verse highlights Lot's prosperity, mirroring Abram's, which directly leads to the tension and eventual separation between the two families due to limited resources in the land. It sets the stage for Lot's fateful decision to settle near the wicked cities of the plain.
c. 2090 BC
Abram and Lot leave Ur
Abram, his nephew Lot, and their families leave their ancestral home in Ur, following God's call to journey to an unknown land.
c. 2085 BC
Famine in Canaan
A severe famine strikes the land of Canaan, prompting Abram to sojourn temporarily in Egypt. He and Lot take this opportunity to increase their wealth.
c. 2084 BC— this verse
Abram and Lot return to Canaan
Abram and Lot return from Egypt, now very wealthy with flocks, herds, and tents. They settle in the southern part of Canaan.
c. 2084 BC
Strife between shepherds
The immense wealth of both Abram and Lot leads to conflict between their shepherds over scarce pasture and water resources in the land.
c. 2084 BC
Abram proposes separation
To resolve the growing conflict, Abram generously offers Lot the first choice of land, a testament to his desire for peace over possessions.
c. 2084 BC
Lot chooses the Jordan plain
Lot, seeing the well-watered plain of Jordan (near Sodom and Gomorrah), chooses this region for himself, separating from Abram.
This passage speaks of inheriting the promises of God as spiritual descendants of Abraham, echoing the theme of inheritance and lineage that begins with Abraham and Lot's shared prosperity. It expands the idea of descendants beyond physical lineage to a spiritual one.
1 Timothy 6:10This verse warns against the love of money, a theme that resonates with the growing wealth of both Abram and Lot and the eventual conflict it caused, highlighting the potential dangers of material possessions.
Matthew 6:24This passage about serving two masters directly addresses the conflict between serving God and serving wealth. Lot's choice of the well-watered plain, driven by material gain, illustrates the struggle to prioritize God when worldly opportunities beckon.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse assures that God provides a way of escape from temptation, which is relevant to the situation of Abram and Lot where their prosperity led to strife, reminding us that God offers paths through such challenges.
Proverbs 22:10The proverb about the end of the scoffer and quarreler speaks to the inevitable conflict arising from disputes. The strife between Abram and Lot's herdsmen, fueled by their abundance, illustrates this principle directly.
gillGenesis 13:5: "And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents."
And Lot also, which went with Abram,.... into Egypt, and was now come back with him: had flocks, and herds, and tents; flocks of sheep, and herds of cattle, of oxen, asses and camels, and tents for himself and his servants to dwell in, and put his substance in.
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…
This verse subtly reveals that Lot's wealth and possessions were also abundant, not just Abram's. It highlights that Lot wasn't merely a follower but a man of significant substance in his own right, foreshadowing the tensions that would arise from their shared prosperity.
After returning from Egypt with increased wealth, Abram and his nephew Lot found that their combined possessions of livestock and tents were too great for the land to support them living together. This verse highlights Lot's substantial prosperity, mirroring Abram's, which set the stage for the inevitable conflict between their herders. The growing tension over scarce resources and grazing land quickly escalated, prompting Abram to propose a separation for the sake of peace.
After returning from Egypt with increased wealth, Abram and his nephew Lot found that their combined possessions of livestock and tents were too great for the land to support them living together. This verse highlights Lot's substantial prosperity, mirroring Abram's, which set the stage for the inevitable conflict between their herders. The growing tension over scarce resources and grazing land quickly escalated, prompting Abram to propose a separation for the sake of peace.
"And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the…" — This verse subtly reveals that Lot's wealth and possessions were also abundant, not just Abram's. It highlights that Lot wasn't merely a follower but a man of significant substance in his own right…
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Last reviewed October 2026
