Genesis 13

Genesis 13:1

J-NTO the south. 1 1ritothesouthernpartof Canaan, where lie had been before, (xii. 9.)

Genesis 13:2

Very rich, Sec. His riches were increased since he went into Egypt, by the bounty of Pharaoh, (xii.lG.) and (if we could believe Josephus, lib. i. Antiq. cap. 8.) by the rewards he had for teaching them several pieces of learning, which he brought out of Chaldea. The author of Schalsch. Hakkab. quotes Eusebius’s Proepar. Evang. lib. ix; cap. 4. to prove this. And, indeed, I find Eusebius quoting Josephus in the sixteenth chapter of that book; who says he taught arithmetic and astrology, of which the Egyptians were ignorant before: and in the seventeenth chapter Eupolemus, who says that Abram was familiarly conversant with the Egyptian priests at Hcliopolis (when he went thither by reason of the famine in Canaan), and taught them many things; particularly the celestial sciences, which he calls astrology; i. e. the knowledge of the stars.

Genesis 13:3

Unto Bethel, &c. Which was the second place whereinhe dwelt, after his first entrance into Canaan,(xii.8.)

Genesis 13:4

Unto the place of the altar, &c. This seems to intimate that the altar itself was either fallen or thrown down. Some think demolished by Abram himself, when he left the place; others by the Canaanites when he was gone. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.] Commended himself, and all he had, to God’s protection; who had promised to bestow this country upon him. Perhaps he built the altar again, and offered sacrifice thereon.

Genesis 13:5

And Lot also, &c. God had blessed him likewise, as a faithful companion of Abram in his tracers’; and partaker also of his faith.

Genesis 13:6

The land was not able to bear them, &c. Tftere was not sufficient pasturage for them both, in that part of the country.

Genesis 13:7

And there ivas a strife, &c. Wealth commonly breeds contentions. Yet here was no difference between the masters, but between their servants: each endeavouring to get the best pastures, and the best watering places fdr their flocks* And the Canaanite and the Perizzite, &c] This part of the country was inhabited by the people peculiarly called Canaanites, and by the Pcrizzitcs, (a very rugged and barbarous nation, sec xv. 20.) among whom contention would have been dangerous, at least very scandalous. Ver. S. Abram said to Lot. J The best, the wisest, and men of greatest experience in the world, arc most inclined’ to peace, and most yielding in order to it Lettherebeno strife between me and thee, &c] There had been none yet; but their servants’ quarrel might have proved theirs at last. And between my herdsmen, &c] And here signifies or: as xix. 12. Exod. xii. 5. For we are brethren.] Near kiiiSrricn, whom the Hebrews call brethren.

Genesis 13:9

Isnot the landbefore thee. There is room chough, though not here, yet in other parts of the country: now, since we cannot remain together, take thy choice which way thou wilt go, &c. A wonderful condescension in Abram, to let the younger, and least in estate, please himself. And he did not desire Lotto leave the country, but only to settle himself in what part of it he liked best; that he itiight be near to help him, as lie did afterwards.

Genesis 13:10

Behold all the plain.of Jordan, &c. A fruitful and pleasant country, well watered by the streams of Jordan: which in many windings and turnings run through it, and at some times overflowed it; which made the grourid very rich. And therefore Moses compares this plain (6 the garden of Eden, (as most understand those words, “the garden of the Lord”) which was well watered by a river running through it; and to the land of Egypt, which is fattened by the overflowing of Nile, as this was by the overflowing of Jordan. As thou contest to Zour.] These words arc nbt to be referred to “the ItiM of Egypt,” immediately foregoing (from which Zoar was St & great distance), but to those words in the beginning; u a plain well watered every wtfere;" even* to’ the utmost skirts of it, tvhich was Zoar.

Genesis 13:11

And Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan. He was invited by the richness of the soil, without Tegard to the manners of the people; which proved afterwards a great affliction to him. And Lot journeyed east.] For the " plain of Jordan" layeast, from Bethel, where they now were. Ver.- 12. And Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, &c] In that part of the country where the people peculiarly called Canaanites (vet. 7. and xii. 6.) were seated: otherwise, if " the land of Cari&an" be taken largely, the " plain of Jordan" was also a part of it.

Genesis 13:13

Therhen of Sodom were wicked, &c. Their sins were grown ripe for punishment; having been brought (as it ^Verc) “before the Lord;” and sentenced at his tribunal to the judgment which shortly after befel them. Ven 14.’ And tlie Lord said unto Abram, &C.] If is likely the Lord appeared again to him, (as he had done formerly, xii. 7.) dftcr Lbt was separated from’ him: both to comfort liim iii his absence, by renewing his prdrhise in larger words, and to assure him that his posterity/ not Lot’s, should inherit this country. Lift up thine eyes, 8cc:] He dwelt now, it ii lik"eiy,dp6n the mountain, which was on the cast of Bethel, (^here he pitched his tent befdre he went into Egypt, xii; 8.) and returned to it when he came from thence (ver; 8, 4. of thi# chapter), which gave him the advantage of a fair and long prospect of the country every way.

Genesis 13:15

Fdr all the land thou seest, &c. Thritwhole country, sortie parts of which he saw a great way, in every quarter of it; and all the rest contiguous to them, were hereby assured to him* Fdr ever.] It doth not signify strictly time without, end:; butaveTylong period:’ The Jews, ifideed, say that tiife" world olatn, when it is Written full, as they speak, that is, with van, denotes eternity; though, without van, they 1 confess it signifies only a long tinie: but this small observation is quite overthrown by many examples to the con^ trary. For (Exod. xv. 18.) where the Lord is said to reign for ever, this word olam is without a van, and yet denotes eternity. And (Dcut. xv. 17.) where it is said, " he shall be thy servant for ever," it is written with a vau, and yet denotes only a term of fifty years at the most. Ver. 1G. I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, &c] More than could be contained in that land.