Genesis 13

— as thou comest unto Zoar.] These words are not to be referred to “the land of Egypt,” immediately foregoing, from which Zoar was at a great distance; but to those words in the beginning, “a plain well watered every where,” even to the utmost skirts of it, which was Zoar. Such transpositions are not uncommon in Scripture: see Josh. xiv. 26; Mark xi. 13, 14; xiv. 3, 4; Zoar was so called afterwards, chap. xix. 22. Before that it was called Bela, chap. xiv. 2. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.

Chap. XIV. ver. 1.— Amraphel king of Shinar,] Commonly understood to be king of Babylon. But it is probable, either that he was some small prince in the country of Shinar, that is, Assyria; or that, if he was king of Babylon, that monarchy was not very great in Abram’s days. The other names probably belong to some particular places, like Sodom and Gomorrah, over which Arioch and Chedorlaomer reigned, who were such kings as those in Canaan when Joshua conquered it; or else commanders of colonies, which they had led out of Assyria and Persia; and settling thereabouts, endeavoured to enlarge their plantations: as the manner was in those and in succeeding times, when the captains of a troop, and leaders of small bodies of men, were called princes or kings. Bp. Patrick.

— king of nations;] That is, of a place, the inhabitants of which were of several nations and people met together. Bp. Kidder.

Part of Galilee, being inhabited by mixed people of divers countries, was thence called “Galilee of the nations,” or “Gentiles,” Matt. iv. 15. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 13:2

2. — Abram was very rich &c. ] His riches being increased, since he went into Egypt, by the bounty of Pharaoh. Dr. Wells. Abram lived with all the elegance of a modern Arab emir, or prince; or at least with no other abatement than what arose from his great antiquity. He was very rich in silver and in gold, as well as in cattle; and consequently he was able to procure the ancient elegancies of his way of life, as well as the modern Arab princes are theirs.

Authors have sufficiently explained how these ac- Abram and Lot return out of Egypt, and part asunder. Before CHRIST about 1918.

Genesis 13:3

3.— in the vale of Siddim,] A fruitful valley, changed into the salt sea or lake, since the overthrow of the five cities by fire and brimstone from heaven. Bp. Patrick.

5—7. For the probable situation of these people, the reader is referred to the map, adapted to the history of Abraham, &c.

Genesis 13:6

6. — the land was not able to bear them.] There was not sufficient pasturage for them both in that part of the country. Bp. Patrick.

Genesis 13:7

7. — and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.] This part of the country was inhabited by the people peculiarly called Canaanites, and by the Perizzites, perhaps a branch of the family of the Canaanites, a very rugged and barbarous nation, (chap. xv. 20,) among whom contention would have been dangerous, at least very scandalous. Bp. Patrick.

The same observation concerning the Canaanite occurs in chap. xii. 6. It does not follow, that the Canaanites had been expelled when this clause was written: it may mean no more, than that the Canaanites were even at that time in the land, which God had promised to give to the seed of Abram. This observation in the former place, may have been intended to illustrate the faith of Abram, who did not hesitate to obey the command of God, by sojourning in this strange land, though even then inhabited by a powerful nation, totally unconnected with, if not averse to, him; a circumstance intimated by Abram’s remonstrance to Lot, to avoid any enmity between them, “because they were brethren:” as if he had said, It would be extreme imprudence in us, who are brethren, who have no connexion or friendship but with each other, to allow any dissension to arise between us, surrounded as we are by strangers,

indifferent or even averse to us, who might rejoice at our quarrel, and take advantage of it to our common mischief: “for the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled” even “then in the land.” Another reason may be given why Moses noticed the circumstance of the Canaanite and the Perizzite having been then in the land, which, he immediately after the first notice of it, declares, that God promised to the seed of Abram. The Israelites might thus be most clearly satisfied, that no change had taken place in the purpose of God to give them this land; when they were reminded, that at the very time this purpose was declared, the very same nation possessed the country, who now occupied it. Dr. Graves.

Genesis 13:8

8. And Abram said unto Lot.] The best, the wisest men, and those of greatest experience in the world, are most inclined to peace, and most yielding in order to it. Bp. Patrick.

— we be brethren.] Near kinsmen, whom the Hebrews call brethren. He was uncle to Lot. He was also Lot’s brother, having married Sarai, sister to Lot. Bp. Kidder.

9. Is not the whole land before thee? The settlements of the primitive families at first seem to have been scattered and detached from each other, according to local convenience: and in Abram’s days there were considerable tracts of unappropriated land in Canaan, on which he and Lot freely grazed their cattle, without hindrance or molestation. That country was not fully peopled till the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. Dr. Hales.

Genesis 13:10

10. — beheld all the plain of Jordan.] A fruitful and pleasant country, well watered by the streams of Jordan; which in many windings and turnings ran through it, and at some times overflowed it, and so rendered it very rich. Therefore Moses compares this plain to the garden of Eden, as most understand the words, “the garden of the Lord,” which was well watered by a river running through it; and to the land of Egypt, which is enriched by the overflowing of the Nile, as this was by the overflowing of Jordan. Bp. Patrick. The description that is given us of some well-watered places in the east of late times, may serve to enliven our apprehensions of the fruitfulness and the beauty of the plain, where Sodom and Gomorrah stood, before God destroyed those cities. Harmer.

— Jordan.] This river is of great note in the Sacred Writings. It is said to derive its name from Jor a spring, and Dan a small town near its source; or from the two rivulets, Jor and Dan: perhaps it was so called from Jarad, to descend, by reason of the fall and rapid course of the river.

Lot goeth to Sodom. God’s promise to Abram renewed. Before CHRIST about 1918.

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.

10.— fled to the mountain.] This flying to hills and mountains for safety is frequently alluded to in Scripture. Harmer.

Genesis 13:12

12. — in the land of Canaan.] In the part more strictly so called: if “the land of Canaan” be taken largely, the plain of Jordan was a part of it. Bp. Patrick.

— in the cities] In one of the cities. See chap. viii. 4.

— toward Sodom.] That is, be removed his tent from place to place, till he came to Sodom, where he fixed. See chap. xiv. 12. Bp. Kidder.

Genesis 13:13

13. — the men of Sodom were wicked, &c.] Their sins were grown ripe for punishment; having been brought, as it were, “before the Lord,” and sentenced at His tribunal to the judgment which shortly after befel them. Bp. Patrick. Or, they were very great sinners: see chap. x. 9.

We may here take notice of what is but too common in the world; the folly and danger of consulting our senses only in the choice of a way of life. Lot made choice of the fruitful plain of Jordan; not considering the danger of being in the neighbourhood of a most wicked people. The consequence of this unadvised choice was, he lost all he had; he lost his wife; and he had like to have lost his life, had not Abraham prevailed

with God for his deliverance. This choice was made about twenty years before Sodom was destroyed. Bp. Wilson.

Genesis 13:14

14.— his brother] His brother’s son, or nephew. See chap. xiii. 8.

— three hundred and eighteen,] If we look to the strength of an Arab emir, or prince, or the number of men he commands, we shall find, that were Abram now alive, he would still be considered as a prince among them, he having “three hundred and eighteen servants” trained to bear arms: for this is much like the strength of those Arab emirs of Palestine, whom d’Arvieux visited.

Dr. Shaw says, several Arabian tribes can bring no more than 300 or 400 horses into the field; so that it is no wonder that Abram was considered in ancient days as a considerable prince, at the head of a powerful clan; had his alliance courted, Gen. xxi. 22; and made war in his own name. Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre, his confederates, were probably neighbouring emirs at the head of considerable clans also, with whom Abram was leagued, and who made up together a formidable power for those times. Harmer.

— pursued them unto Dan.] As far as the place where one of the springs of Jordan breaks forth, called

Genesis 13:15

15. — for ever.] It doth not here signify strictly time without end, but till the end of the world. Bp. Patrick. The promise however was made on condition of their obedience. Compare Deut. iv. 25, 26; Judg. ii. 20, 21. Bp. Kidder.

Genesis 13:18

18. Then Abram removed his tent.] See chap. xii. 8; xiii. 3, 12. Abram dwelt in tents through the whole year: Isaac and Jacob followed his example: and the Rechabites lived in the same manner in Jeremiah’s time, and for several ages before. Many inhabitants of that country do the same at this day. Mons. d’Arvieux, who visited the Arabs of Mount Carmel by order of Louis XIV., informs us, that they have no other places to dwell in but tents; which are set up in such a manner, as that the rain slides off without penetrating them. Sandys goes further, and says of these Arabs, that they lived in tents, according to the ancient custom of that nation, even during the winter, although possessed of sundry convenient houses. The true way of accounting for this fact is, that that discipline might appear severe and dangerous to Englishmen, which was safe to the Patriarchs and Rechabites, who were used to this way of life; and which is accordingly practised by many at this day, even in the northern parts of Palestine. Harmer.

— in the plain of Mamre.] Or, by the oak of Mamre. So called from Mamre, the brother of Eshoul and Aner, who were confederate with Abram, chap. xiv. 24. From him Hebron was called Mamre, chap. xxiii. 19. Bps. Patrick and Kidder.

— in Hebron.] Or rather, by or near Hebron: which was one of the most ancient cities in the world. It was situated upon an eminence, about 20 miles south of Jerusalem, and about 20 miles north of Beersheba. Abraham, Sarah, and Isaac were buried near Hebron, in the cave of Machpelah. Calmet.

— and built there an altar unto the Lord.] This is the first thing, which we always find him doing, after he had pitched his tent. Biblioth. Bibl.

A leading reason, we may presume, which influenced Abram to settle at Hebron, was its vicinity to Salem, and to the publick worship of the true God there. For the religion of Abram and Melchizedek was evidently the same, from their joint use of the same epithets or attributes of the Deity, which were introduced or

The battle of four kings against five. Lot is taken prisoner. Before CHRIST about 1917. # CHAP. XIV.