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)
The text notes the strife between herdsmen occurring precisely when the land is already inhabited by Canaanites and Perizzites. This subtle detail highlights that the conflict wasn't just about internal disagreements, but was amplified by existing scarcity and the presence of hostile neighbors, making their disunity incredibly perilous.
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)
Abram and Lot's growing wealth has led to conflict between their herdsmen over precious resources like pasture and water. This strife occurs while the land is already occupied by the Canaanites and Perizzites, creating a tense and potentially dangerous situation. The presence of these native peoples underscores the scarcity of available land and the need for Abram and Lot to resolve their dispute quickly.
Abram and Lot had grown incredibly wealthy, but this abundance led to a serious problem: their herdsmen started fighting. What happens when prosperity strains relationships?
The abundance Abram and Lot had accumulated led to a direct conflict. It wasn't the masters, Abram and Lot themselves, who were quarreling, but their herdsmen.
The Root of the Conflict
In the midst of this conflict, Abram, the elder and patriarch, models a remarkable approach. How did he de-escalate the situation and prioritize peace?
Abram’s response to the strife is a powerful example of godly leadership and peacemaking.
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Abram's Peacemaking Strategy
The text notes that the Canaanites and Perizzites were dwelling in the land at this time. Why is this detail significant to the story of Abram and Lot's separation?
The presence of the Canaanites and Perizzites is not incidental; it provides crucial context for the conflict and the subsequent decision.
The Occupied Land
Understand the original words
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.
The conflict between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen highlights how prosperity can strain relationships and how the presence of existing inhabitants (Canaanites and Perizzites) adds pressure to resource scarcity, necessitating a peaceful resolution.
c. 2000 BC
Abram enters Canaan
Abram and his family, including his nephew Lot, settle in the land of Canaan under divine instruction.
c. 2000 BC
Prosperity and population growth
Abram and Lot become increasingly prosperous, leading to a large number of livestock and herdsmen.
c. 2000 BC— this verse
Conflict over resources
Strife arises between the herdsmen due to scarcity of pasture and water, exacerbated by the presence of native Canaanites and Perizzites.
c. 2000 BC
Abram proposes separation
Abram, seeking peace and to honor God, offers Lot the first choice of land to prevent further conflict.
c. 2000 BC
Lot chooses the Jordan plain
Lot selects the well-watered plain of the Jordan, moving his tents toward the wicked city of Sodom.
c. 2000 BC
God reaffirms promise to Abram
After Lot's departure, God reassures Abram of His promises regarding the land and his descendants.
This verse echoes the spirit of Abram's generous action by urging believers to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,' directly paralleling Abram's selflessness towards Lot.
1 Corinthians 6:7The strife between the herdsmen highlights the folly of legal disputes, as this verse states, 'To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather let yourselves be defrauded?'
Romans 12:18Abram's proactive approach to resolving conflict, even at his own expense, exemplifies the principle found here: 'If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.'
Proverbs 17:14This proverb, 'The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit the quarrel before it spreads,' resonates with Abram's urgent need to address the conflict before it escalated, especially given the presence of the Canaanites and Perizzites.
Galatians 5:19-21The 'strife' mentioned in Genesis is a clear manifestation of the 'works of the flesh' listed here, such as 'enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of rage...' This passage serves as a stark warning against the destructive nature of such conflicts.
gillGenesis 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."
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle,.... Not between the two masters, but between their servants, their upper servants, that had the care of their herds to feed them, and water them; and it is very probable their strife was about pasturage and watering places, the one e…
clarkeGenesis 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."
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. See the note on Genesis 12:6 .
The text notes the strife between herdsmen occurring precisely when the land is already inhabited by Canaanites and Perizzites. This subtle detail highlights that the conflict wasn't just about internal disagreements, but was amplified by existing scarcity and the presence of hostile neighbors, making their disunity incredibly perilous.
Abram and Lot's growing wealth has led to conflict between their herdsmen over precious resources like pasture and water. This strife occurs while the land is already occupied by the Canaanites and Perizzites, creating a tense and potentially dangerous situation. The presence of these native peoples underscores the scarcity of available land and the need for Abram and Lot to resolve their dispute quickly.
Abram and Lot's growing wealth has led to conflict between their herdsmen over precious resources like pasture and water. This strife occurs while the land is already occupied by the Canaanites and Perizzites, creating a tense and potentially dangerous situation. The presence of these native peoples underscores the scarcity of available land and the need for Abram and Lot to resolve their dispute quickly.
"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." — The text notes the strife between herdsmen occurring precisely when the land is already inhabited by Canaanites and Perizzites. This subtle detail highlights that the conflict wasn't just about inter…
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Last reviewed October 2026