Genesis 13 14

Genesis 13:14 kjv

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

Genesis 13:14 nkjv

And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: "Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are? northward, southward, eastward, and westward;

Genesis 13:14 niv

The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west.

Genesis 13:14 esv

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,

Genesis 13:14 nlt

After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction ? north and south, east and west.

Genesis 13 verses

Genesis 13 14 Meaning

Following the separation from his nephew Lot, the LORD God directly communicates with Abram, re-confirming and expanding His covenant promise of land. Abram is commanded to look from his current vantage point in every cardinal direction—north, south, east, and west—as a visual and symbolic act of possessing the vast inheritance that God guarantees him. This divine instruction signifies God's faithfulness to His word and the boundless extent of the Promised Land, independent of human circumstances or perceived loss.

Genesis 13 14 Context

Genesis chapter 13 immediately follows Abram's return from Egypt, where he faced trials but also gained wealth. This prosperity, coupled with Lot's increasing possessions, led to strife between their herdsmen, as the land could not sustain both of them adequately. To avoid further conflict and demonstrate peace, Abram generously offered Lot the first choice of the land. Lot, "lifting up his eyes," chose the well-watered Jordan valley, heading eastward towards Sodom, seemingly the more fertile and prosperous region. Only after this selfless act of Abram and the clear separation of Lot did the LORD intervene. This verse marks God's direct and unsolicited recommitment of the land promise specifically to Abram, emphasizing that His divine plans are not thwarted or diminished by human decisions or apparent setbacks. It is a moment of divine initiative, reaffirming the unique and distinct nature of Abram's calling and inheritance.

Genesis 13 14 Word analysis

• And the Lord: The opening "And" (וְ waw) connects this divine revelation directly to the preceding events, particularly the separation of Lot. "Lord" (יְהוָה YHWH) signifies the personal, covenant God. This is not a generic deity but the specific God who entered into covenant with Abram, indicating the reliability and faithfulness of His promise.

• said: (אָמַר amar) This verb indicates a direct, authoritative, and intentional verbal communication from God. It's an active declaration, not merely a thought or feeling.

• unto Abram: (אֶל-אַבְרָם el-Avram) Abram, meaning "exalted father," is the direct recipient of this reaffirmation, distinguishing him from Lot and establishing him as the primary heir to God's promises.

• after that Lot was separated from him: (אַחֲרֵי הִפָּרֶד לוֹט מֵעִמּוֹ acharey hippared Lot me'immo) This phrase highlights the precise divine timing. God speaks immediately following a moment of personal difficulty and unselfish generosity from Abram. The "separation" (הִפָּרֶד hippared) marks a significant turning point, underscoring that God's plans for Abram would not be compromised by Lot's presence or choice; in fact, the removal of this contention allows for a clearer confirmation of Abram's exclusive inheritance.

• Lift up now thine eyes: (שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ sa na eynekha) "Lift up" (שָׂא sa) is an imperative, a direct command. "Now" (נָא na) adds an urgent or emphatic tone. "Eyes" (עֵינֶיךָ eynekha) signifies physical sight but carries deeper meaning: a conscious act of observation and comprehension, symbolic of grasping the vastness of the promise by faith. It's an active engagement.

• and look: (וּרְאֵה u-r'eh) Another imperative verb, "look, see, perceive." The root (רָאָה ra'ah) implies not just passive observation but also a perceptive gaze, a contemplation, and even an act of claiming or possessing through seeing, as the following verses will clarify (Gen 13:15, "for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it").

• from the place where thou art: (מִן-הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה שָׁם min-hamaqom asher attah sham) This specifies Abram's vantage point, likely a high point near Bethel and Ai (Gen 13:3), which afforded a wide view. It grounds the expansive promise in a concrete, physical location.

• northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: (צָפֹנָה וָנֶגְבָּה וְקֵדְמָה וָיָּמָּה tsafonah va-negĕbah v-qedmah va-yamah) These are adverbs of direction, using the "-ah" ending. "Westward" (yamah) literally means "to the sea," referring to the Mediterranean Sea which was west of Canaan. This specifies the four cardinal directions, signifying the comprehensive and boundless extent of the promised territory, encompassing all corners.

• "And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him": This phrase highlights divine intervention at a precise and crucial moment. It teaches that God’s covenant promises are independent of external circumstances or even the faithful one's choices, particularly when such choices involve selfless sacrifice. Abram's generosity to Lot set the stage for a unique and direct reaffirmation from God.

• "Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward": This full instruction is a command for Abram to actively engage in an act of faith and visual apprehension. It links seeing with receiving, suggesting that the extent of Abram’s vision, guided by God, would define the scope of his inheritance. This broad command covers the entirety of the land, implying an unbroken, comprehensive dominion that belongs solely to Abram and his seed, contrasting sharply with Lot’s singular, self-chosen fertile plain.

Genesis 13 14 Bonus section

• Contrast with Lot: The parallel use of "lifted up his eyes" (Gen 13:10 for Lot and 13:14 for Abram) serves as a stark contrast. Lot surveyed the land for immediate material gain, choosing based on appearance leading him toward Sodom's corrupting influence. Abram, however, looks at God's direct command, surveying a vast and inclusive territory, receiving an eternal, unconditional promise.
• Seeing and Possession: The phrase implicitly links "seeing" to "possession" in biblical thought, a concept echoed later when Moses is allowed to "see" the land but not enter it (Deut 34:1-4) or Joshua's charge to "tread upon" the land to possess it (Josh 1:3). This highlights the element of faith; to believe the promise means to perceive its reality even before physical occupation.
• Divine Initiative: This verse beautifully illustrates that God's covenant promises are based entirely on His initiative and character, not on human merit or action. God re-affirms His covenant after Lot leaves, demonstrating His sovereign control over circumstances to fulfill His plan for Abram. Abram's gracious act paved the way for a deeper revelation of God's blessing.

Genesis 13 14 Commentary

Genesis 13:14 is a profound declaration of God's steadfast faithfulness following a pivotal moment in Abram's journey. God intervenes not in response to Abram's plea, but after Abram has exercised selflessness and wisdom by allowing Lot to choose the seemingly better land. This timing reveals that God's blessings are often independent of perceived human loss or advantage, confirming His promises especially when His servant demonstrates faithfulness or self-sacrifice. The command to "lift up thine eyes, and look" from his specific location transforms a simple physical act into a spiritual appropriation. It invites Abram to embrace the entirety of the future inheritance by faith, emphasizing that the limits of God's provision are as vast as one's vision. Unlike Lot who "lifted up his eyes" with a carnal gaze towards a lush but morally compromised plain (Gen 13:10), Abram's "looking" is at the explicit command of the Lord and with a divine purpose—to claim his comprehensive inheritance in all directions. This act symbolically prepares Abram's heart for the magnitude of what God is giving, making him an active participant in envisioning the promised future.