Bible Commentaries

Up = Palestine an ascent from Egypt.

south = Hebrew. the Negeb, S. of Judea, N. from Egypt. Compare Genesis 11:9.

silver, and in gold: scarce in Palestine, but plentiful in Egypt.

tent: shows him a stranger.

at the beginning: very significant. No altar for Abram in Egypt.

between Beth-el and Hai. Probably Ebal or Gerizim. See note on Genesis 12:8.

altar: shows him to be a worshipper.

at the first. No worship in Egypt. See note Genesis 13:3.

tents. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject): "tents" put for the dwellers therein.

them. Those two. For signification of the No. 2, see App-10.

strife. The first step in Lot's downward course. Note Lot's six downward steps: Genesis 13:7, "strife"; Genesis 13:10, "beheld"; Genesis 13:11, "chose": Genesis 13:12, "pitched toward"; Genesis 14:12, "dwelt in": Genesis 19:1, "sat in its gate", as a ruler and citizen. See App-10.

Canaanite and Perizzite. See on Genesis 12:6. These were the Nephilim. See App-23.

dwelled. Hebrew were dwelling.

then = already. See note on Genesis 12:6.

in the land. Occupying it in advance, and spreading later to "the giant cities of Bashan".

brethren. Put by Synecdoche (of Species), for relatives. App-6.

Is not the whole land, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis.

thou wilt take. Figure of speech Complex Ellipsis. See App-6.

well watered. Great contrast with Palestine after the famine; and likeness to the fertility of Egypt.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Sodom = flaming, burning.

Gomorrah = people of fear: already mixed up in the sins of the Nephilim. 2 Peter 2:4. Jude 1:6.

chose. Lot lifted up his own eyes (Genesis 13:10), and made his own choice. Compare Abram, Genesis 13:14.

cities = one of the cities. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole). See App-6. Greek "among the cities". Compare Genesis 13:18.

toward Sodom. See note on Genesis 13:7.

A parenthetical statement to show the nature of Lot's choice. Figure of speech. Parenthesis. App-6.

wicked and sinners = very wicked sinners. Figure of speech. Hendiadys.

look. Note Abraham's four "looks": Genesis 13:14 (earth); Genesis 15:5 (heaven); Genesis 18:2 (Jehovah); Genesis 22:13 (a substitute).

to thee. Repeated to Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and to Jacob (Genesis 28:13; Genesis 35:12). See note on Genesis 50:24.

for ever. Hence Israel is "the everlasting nation", Isaiah 44:7. "To thee" ensures resurrection. Compare Matthew 22:23-33.

dust. Figure of speech Paroemia. In Genesis 15:5, as the "stars", marking the two parties in Israel: the earthly and heavenly (Hebrews 11:9-16); partakers of "the heavenly calling" (Hebrews 3:1).

plain = among the oaks belonging to Mamre, brother of Eshcol and Aner (Genesis 14:13).