Genesis 13:1 kjv

And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

Genesis 13:1 nkjv

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South.

Genesis 13:1 niv

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him.

Genesis 13:1 esv

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

Genesis 13:1 nlt

So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned.

Genesis 13 verses

Genesis 13 1 Meaning

Genesis 13:1 records Abram's departure from Egypt and his return journey towards the Negeb region of Canaan. This verse signifies a pivotal transition for Abram, marking his move from a place of physical refuge but moral compromise back to the land promised by God, reaffirming his pilgrimage and continued reliance on divine guidance despite previous failings. It details his companions—his wife Sarai and Lot—and his considerable possessions, setting the stage for subsequent events concerning land and relationships.

Genesis 13 1 Context

Genesis chapter 13 verse 1 immediately follows Abram’s ill-advised sojourn in Egypt (Gen 12:10-20), where a famine had driven him from the Promised Land. During his stay in Egypt, Abram exhibited a lapse in faith by deceiving Pharaoh about Sarai's identity, leading to divine intervention and his eventual expulsion from Egypt. This verse therefore marks his return to Canaan, signaling a resumption of his pilgrimage and renewed commitment to God's calling after a period of moral failure and material accumulation. Historically, ancient Near Eastern travel was often northward to exit Egypt and then eastward or northward into Canaan. The Negeb was a semi-arid region in the southern part of Canaan, often serving as a first entry point from Egypt. The passage sets the scene for Abram's reconciliation with his true mission, laying groundwork for the eventual conflict and separation with Lot.

Genesis 13 1 Word analysis

• So: Implies continuity from the previous chapter, connecting Abram's departure from Egypt to his experiences there. It highlights a consequence or completion of a prior event.
• Abram: (Hebrew: אַבְרָם, ’Avram) His name means "exalted father." He is not yet "Abraham" ("father of many nations"), which change occurs in Genesis 17:5, signifying a deeper stage in his covenant with God. This verse reminds us of his initial identity.
• went up: (Hebrew: וַיַּעַל, vayyaʿal) From the root עָלָה (’alah), meaning "to go up, ascend." This term often denotes a physical ascent from lower elevations (like Egypt) to higher ones (like Canaan's plateau), but it can also subtly suggest a spiritual elevation or a return to a place of greater favor or divine presence after a downturn.
• from Egypt: (Hebrew: מִמִּצְרַיִם, mimMiṣrayim) Egypt frequently symbolizes the world, bondage, or a place of testing in the biblical narrative. For Abram, it was a place of temporary refuge but also spiritual compromise, where he faced consequences of fear. His departure from Egypt symbolizes moving away from the "world's" solutions and back towards God's path.
• he and his wife: This emphasizes Sarai’s steadfast presence alongside Abram through trials and triumphs, highlighting the couple’s unity, though tested, and their foundational role in God’s covenantal plan.
• and all that he had: This phrase emphasizes the extensive material possessions Abram accumulated, whether through God’s direct blessing (despite his failure in Egypt) or through the restitution from Pharaoh. It signifies not merely wealth, but God's continued providence over His chosen servant.
• and Lot with him: Underscores Lot’s continued dependence and close relationship with Abram. His inclusion is crucial, setting the stage for the narrative's focus on land, resources, and future separation, a testament to familial ties that were central in that culture.
• to the Negev: (Hebrew: אֶל־הַנֶּגֶב, ’el-ha-Negev) The "South" land of Canaan, a semi-arid region. It's geographically higher than the Nile Valley. This specific destination indicates the direction of his return and his reentry into the land of promise, a transitional area before reaching more central locations.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• So Abram went up from Egypt: This phrase captures the crucial movement—Abram’s exit from the place of compromise. "Went up" signifies a physical ascent and symbolically a return to higher ground spiritually and geographically, leaving behind the immediate dangers and spiritual challenges of Egypt.
• he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him: This segment lists Abram’s complete company and extensive possessions. It highlights the restored family unit and the significant material wealth accumulated, implicitly by divine provision or in restitution for the Pharaoh incident, setting the stage for the impending issues related to resource management and Lot's relationship with Abram.
• to the Negev: Pinpoints the destination. Entering the Negev means re-entering Canaan, the Promised Land, marking a fresh start in his journey with God after his diversion. It’s a literal and spiritual return.

Genesis 13 1 Bonus section

The phrase "went up from Egypt" (וַיַּעַל מִמִּצְרַיִם) often carries a deep theological weight in the Hebrew Bible, reminiscent of the great Exodus. While Abram's departure is individual, it subtly prefigures the national exodus of Israel, who would also "go up from Egypt" with great wealth, under God's hand (Exod 12:41; Psa 105:37). This echoes a divine pattern of calling His chosen ones out of bondage or worldly entanglements and bringing them into His promised sphere of blessing and covenant relationship. Abram’s immediate return to the Negev, the entry point into the land of promise, rather than lingering on its borders or returning to Haran, underlines his renewed commitment to God’s original call from Gen 12:1-3, reinforcing his identity as a pilgrim under divine guidance.

Genesis 13 1 Commentary

Genesis 13:1 is a critical transitional verse, showcasing Abram's immediate post-Egyptian trajectory. Having navigated a famine and a faith-testing crisis in Egypt—where he displayed human weakness but God's protection prevailed—Abram returns to the Promised Land. His "going up" from Egypt is both a literal geographical ascent from the Nile Valley to the elevated plateau of the Negeb and a symbolic spiritual movement away from the "world" and its compromises, back towards the land of promise and God’s specific calling. Despite his misstep with Pharaoh, God’s covenantal promises and favor endure, evidenced by Abram’s vast material wealth. This abundance, coupled with the continued presence of Lot, foreshadows the tensions and blessings that will unfold in the subsequent narrative regarding land allocation and future descendants. The verse emphasizes divine guidance, even after human error, ensuring the covenantal line remains on its ordained path.

Examples of practical usage:

• Believers can learn that turning away from spiritual compromise, though challenging, brings them back onto God's path.
• Even after personal failings, God’s providence and blessings can remain, providing opportunities for renewed faith and obedience.
• The journey "up from Egypt" signifies a deliberate departure from worldly influences to embrace a God-centered life.