Genesis 13:6 kjv

And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

Genesis 13:6 nkjv

Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.

Genesis 13:6 niv

But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.

Genesis 13:6 esv

so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,

Genesis 13:6 nlt

But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.

Genesis 13 verses

Genesis 13 6 Meaning

Genesis 13:6 states that the region where Abram and Lot's households were dwelling could not sustain their combined large possessions of livestock, due to the immense wealth they both possessed. This made it impractical, and indeed impossible, for them to continue living together in close proximity, thus necessitating their separation. The verse establishes the practical cause for the impending division between Abram and Lot, arising from their God-given prosperity.

Genesis 13 6 Context

Genesis chapter 13 immediately follows Abram's return from Egypt, where he had briefly sojourned due to a famine (Gen 12:10-20). Despite the morally compromised sojourn in Egypt, Abram emerges greatly enriched, along with Lot who accompanied him. They travel back to the area between Bethel and Ai, where Abram had previously built an altar to the Lord (Gen 12:8). At this point, both Abram and Lot possessed an extraordinary amount of livestock—flocks, herds, and tents—as well as silver and gold, indicating substantial wealth accumulated through God's blessing and possibly from Pharaoh. The land they inhabited, particularly a semi-arid region suitable for pastoralism, had limited water sources and grazing areas. The large number of animals belonging to both Abram and Lot, combined with the presence of Canaanites and Perizzites (Gen 13:7), meant that the existing pasture and water resources were insufficient to accommodate both families and their extensive possessions without leading to disputes among their respective herdsmen. This resource scarcity, therefore, served as the immediate practical catalyst for the separation described in the subsequent verses.

Genesis 13 6 Word analysis

• And the land (וְהָאָרֶץ - vehā’āretz):
  • And: Connects this explanation directly to the previous verses establishing their great possessions.
  • the land: Eretz (אֶרֶץ) generally means "earth" or "country," but here refers specifically to the local territory or region suitable for pasturing animals, likely around Bethel and Ai. It highlights the environmental constraints.
• was not able (לֹא יָכְלָה - lo yāḵlâ):
  • was not: Lo (לֹא) is a strong negative particle, emphasizing absolute incapability.
  • able: Yakhol (יָכֹל) means "to be able," "to prevail," "to sustain." This indicates the land's inherent limitation or insufficiency to support such an immense animal population.
• to bear them (שְׂאֵתָם - śe'ēṯām):
  • to bear: NASA' (נָשָׂא) can mean "to carry," "to lift," "to sustain," or "to endure." Here, it signifies the land's incapacity to sustain or support the herds and families of both Abram and Lot. It implies providing adequate grazing and water.
  • them: Refers collectively to Abram, Lot, and their massive households and livestock.
• that they might dwell together (לָשֶׁבֶת יַחְדָּו - lāšéḇeṯ yaḥdāw):
  • that they might dwell: YASHAB (יָשַׁב) means "to sit," "to reside," "to settle," "to inhabit." This describes the act of co-existing in one geographic area.
  • together: Yakhdaw (יַחְדָּו) means "unitedly," "as one," "at the same time." It stresses the idea of concurrent, shared living. This phrase articulates the desired outcome (dwelling together) that the land's inadequacy prevents.
• for their substance (כִּי־הָיָה רְכוּשָׁם - kî-hāyāh rěḵûšām):
  • for: Ki (כִּי) functions as a conjunction meaning "because" or "for," introducing the reason for the land's inability.
  • their substance: Rəḵûš (רְכוּשׁ) specifically denotes acquired movable "possessions," "wealth," especially cattle and material goods like silver and gold (Gen 13:2). It underscores that their wealth, not merely their presence, was the issue.
• was great (רָב - râḇ):
  • was great: Rav (רָב) means "much," "many," "numerous," "abundant." This adjective quantifies the "substance," emphasizing its overwhelming size and extent, thus directly linking their prosperity to the problem of space.
• so that they could not dwell together (וְלֹא יָכְלוּ לָשֶׁבֶת יַחְדָּו - wə-lō' yāḵlû lāšéḇeṯ yaḥdāw):
  • This is a near-repetition of the initial phrase "that they might dwell together," but here as a consequence clause. The repetition emphasizes the inevitability and finality of the separation due to the physical constraint. It clarifies that their inability to coexist was a direct result of their massive combined wealth in a confined area.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the land was not able to bear them": This highlights the practical, physical limitation of the geographical region. It is an objective statement of fact about the carrying capacity of the land.
• "that they might dwell together: for their substance was great": This phrase functions as a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The desired dwelling "together" was impossible because of their abundant "substance" or wealth. It shifts from a problem statement to an explanatory cause.
• "so that they could not dwell together": This restates the inability to coexist as an unavoidable outcome, solidifying the logistical imperative for their separation. The repetition of "dwell together" creates a strong emphasis on the impasse, reinforcing the primary problem. This structure shows the problem, explains its cause, and reiterates its unavoidable consequence.

Genesis 13 6 Bonus Section

The mention of the "Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelling in the land" in the immediate context (Gen 13:7) further underscores the challenge. It meant that not only were Abram and Lot vying for resources, but they were also doing so on land already inhabited by other peoples, making resources even scarcer and increasing the potential for wider conflict beyond their own households. The "land" (Hebrew: eretz) itself in this verse has deeper significance; while practically referring to the pastureland, it is also the eretz of the Promised Land. The fact that this eretz could not "bear" or sustain them points to the interim, unsettled nature of their dwelling before Abram fully inherited the land promised solely to him and his descendants. God often uses practical circumstances to providentially direct His people. What appeared as a challenge (overabundance leading to conflict) became a means for Abram to demonstrate faith and for God to clarify the extent of His covenant.

Genesis 13 6 Commentary

Genesis 13:6 provides the practical and objective rationale for the separation of Abram and Lot. Their extraordinary wealth, a sign of God's blessing (Gen 12:2; 13:2), ironically created a logistical impasse. The land, limited in its grazing pastures and water sources, could not sustain both households with their immense flocks and herds without immediate and ongoing conflict (Gen 13:7). This was not a result of personal animosity, but rather an issue of resource scarcity directly proportional to their immense prosperity.

This verse serves as a crucial turning point. While a conflict over resources might seem mundane, in God's sovereign plan, it set the stage for two significant developments. First, it prompted Abram to display remarkable humility, wisdom, and spiritual priority by offering Lot the choice of the best land (Gen 13:9). Abram's magnanimous act ensured peace and reflected his trust in God's providence beyond earthly possessions. Second, it isolated Abram, making him distinct from any human ties or alliances through Lot, thereby preparing him for a direct, uninterrupted reaffirmation of the land promise from God (Gen 13:14-17). Once Lot was separated, God spoke exclusively to Abram, re-stating His covenant and emphasizing the breadth of the promised land for Abram's sole inheritance. Thus, a seemingly natural consequence of prosperity ultimately served a divine purpose, guiding Abram deeper into his unique covenant relationship with God.