Overview of Genesis 13

Genesis 13 follows the sojourn in Egypt in 12:10–20 and closes before 14:1; those verses are context only, and Genesis 12 is pointed to, not taken up again. The chapter has three sections: 13:1–4, the return from Egypt to the altar; 13:5–13, the separation of Abram and Lot; and 13:14–18, the land promise, the walk, and Mamre. Abram goes up from Egypt with his wife, all that was his, and Lot, very heavy in livestock, silver, and gold, returns by stages to the altar between Bethel and Ai, and calls on the name of the Lord. The land cannot bear them together; strife between the herdsmen leads to a separation. After Lot departs, the Lord tells Abram to look and to walk the land, and promises it to him and to his seed forever; Abram settles at Mamre and builds an altar. The land-and-seed promise is God’s initiative. The persons are real; identifications and dates are not settled here. Lot’s choice, miqqedem, forever, zera', elone mamre, and Abram’s offer remain open and are set out below; no verdict is given. See the language and historical notes of this chapter, and the Genesis 12 notes on the altars and the Egypt sojourn.