Genesis 13:7 kjv

And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

Genesis 13:7 nkjv

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.

Genesis 13:7 niv

And quarreling arose between Abram's herders and Lot's. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

Genesis 13:7 esv

and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

Genesis 13:7 nlt

So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)

Genesis 13 verses

Genesis 13 7 Meaning

Genesis 13:7 describes the escalating tension between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot due to their large and increasing flocks and herds. The land, specifically around Bethel and Ai, was insufficient to sustain both their possessions and families comfortably. The verse highlights that the local inhabitants, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, were already dwelling in the land, implying resource scarcity and the limited space available for Abram's and Lot's expanding enterprises. This ongoing "strife" among their workers brought to light an unsustainable situation requiring resolution, setting the stage for their eventual separation.

Genesis 13 7 Context

Genesis chapter 13 immediately follows Abram's return from Egypt, where he had journeyed due to a severe famine. During his stay in Egypt, both Abram and his nephew Lot prospered greatly in livestock, silver, and gold. Upon their return to the land of Canaan, specifically to the area between Bethel and Ai where Abram had previously built an altar (Gen 12:8), their combined wealth in flocks and herds had grown so immense that the land they occupied could not adequately sustain them both. The pasture and water sources became insufficient, leading to contention among their respective herdsmen. This specific verse (13:7) identifies this "strife" as the direct problem necessitating a resolution, while also subtly noting the presence of the indigenous Canaanite and Perizzite peoples who were already established in the territory. This means Abram and Lot were sojourners, dependent on God's provision and navigating a land already occupied by others, which intensified the need for internal harmony and strategic action.

Genesis 13 7 Word analysis

• And there was a strife:

  • And there was: Implies an existing and ongoing situation, not a sudden event. It denotes the development of tension.
  • strife (מָדוֹן, madon): From the root דוּן (dun), meaning "to contend," "judge." Madon signifies contention, discord, a quarrel, or an altercation. It is frequently used in the book of Proverbs (e.g., Prov 15:18, 17:1, 20:3, 26:17) to describe verbal quarrels, legal disputes, or any form of severe contention. Its use here indicates more than simple disagreement; it implies a divisive and perhaps even aggressive rivalry. This strife endangered the harmony of Abram's extended family unit and could have implications for their witness to the local inhabitants.

• between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock:

  • herdsmen (רֹעֵי, ro'ei): Literally "shepherds," those responsible for tending flocks and herds. The conflict wasn't directly between Abram and Lot but between their employees, suggesting the logistical and practical pressures of managing vast wealth in limited space. The behavior of servants often reflects, or directly impacts, the honor and reputation of their masters.

• And the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land:

  • Canaanite (הַכְּנַעֲנִי, hak-kəna‘ănî) and the Perizzite (הַפְּרִזִּי, hap-pəriz-zî): These were established inhabitants of the land that God had promised to Abram's descendants (Gen 12:7, 15:18-21).
    • Canaanite: The general term for the peoples of Canaan. Their presence underscored the fact that Abram was a sojourner, not a landholder, reliant on existing local permissions for grazing.
    • Perizzite: A specific ethnic group, possibly dwelling in unwalled towns or open country (the name might mean "villagers").
  • dwelled then in the land: This crucial parenthetical statement emphasizes a key underlying factor for the strife:
    • Limited resources: The land was not empty; it was already occupied, making pasture and water scarcity more acute. This pressure necessitates Abram and Lot's separation for economic and spatial reasons.
    • Witness/Reputation: Their quarreling in the presence of these indigenous peoples could negatively reflect on their God or their way of life, something Abram, as a bearer of God's blessing and promise, would want to avoid. The integrity of the household was paramount for their testimony in a pagan environment.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock": This phrase highlights that the material prosperity (increased livestock) became a source of interpersonal conflict (strife among servants). It's a natural consequence of growth without adequate planning or resource management. The "herdsmen" are proxies for their masters' competing interests and strain on shared resources.
  • "And the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land": This powerful concluding clause serves multiple functions:
    • Contextual pressure: It frames the internal conflict within an external reality. The land, though promised, was not freely available.
    • Motivation for swift resolution: The presence of non-believers, watching their conduct, would have added urgency to resolve the conflict honourably and avoid bringing reproach upon the God of Abram. It emphasizes the need for a good testimony among those who did not know God.
    • Theological implication: It highlights Abram's position as a temporary resident, dependent on God's future fulfillment of the land promise. This ongoing conflict tests his trust in God's provision even when immediate circumstances are challenging and limited by human occupation.

Genesis 13 7 Bonus section

The specific Hebrew word for "strife," madon, carries connotations that extend beyond a simple argument. It often refers to deep-seated contention, conflict that can be destructive, and is frequently found in wisdom literature like Proverbs warning against its perils (e.g., Prov 17:1, 26:17, 28:25). Its presence here highlights that the issue was not minor, but genuinely threatening the unity of Abram's kin and potentially his mission.

The mention of the "Canaanite and the Perizzite" also subtly foreshadows the future conquest of the land. At this point, Abram and Lot are merely sojourners. They do not own the land but are reliant on a form of co-existence, likely having verbal agreements for grazing. This precarious position makes internal harmony even more vital. Their conflict, witnessed by the indigenous population, would have diminished their credibility and demonstrated a lack of unity, which was dangerous in an alien territory. Abram's quick action to resolve the dispute, therefore, not only preserved family peace but also upheld his household's standing and witness before the people of Canaan, fulfilling an unspoken ethical demand inherent in his calling to be a blessing to all nations. This demonstrates a tension between the immediate, practical reality of coexisting with non-believers and the future, divine promise of full land inheritance.

Genesis 13 7 Commentary

Genesis 13:7 is more than a simple descriptive verse about a family disagreement; it underscores the practical challenges arising from God's blessings and the call to peaceful co-existence, even amidst limited resources and external observation. The immense prosperity bestowed upon Abram and Lot, initially a blessing (Gen 13:2-6), ironically becomes the source of "strife" among their herdsmen. This teaches that even good things, like wealth and growth, require wise stewardship and conflict resolution to prevent them from becoming curses.

Abram and Lot shared the same nomadic existence, yet their wealth put pressure on shared pastures and water. The underlying issue was resource scarcity exacerbated by their combined immense possessions and the existing occupants of the land, the Canaanites and Perizzites. This detail about the indigenous people is significant: it places Abram and Lot in a public arena. Their quarreling was not private; it was witnessed by those who did not follow their God. For a chosen people, bearing the name of the true God, public strife could tarnish their testimony and the reputation of the LORD they served.

This verse therefore sets the critical backdrop for Abram's subsequent exemplary leadership. Recognizing the gravity of the "strife" and its implications, especially in the sight of unbelievers, Abram chooses peace and humility over personal advantage or prolonged dispute. It forces a pivotal decision that impacts both men's immediate futures and their respective legacies, serving as a reminder that the pursuit of peace often requires sacrifice and the willingness to let go.

Examples of practical usage:

• When a shared resource in a community or church becomes strained due to growth (e.g., parking, facilities), the leadership must address potential conflict proactively, just as Abram responded to the herdsmen's strife.
• In business partnerships or family enterprises where joint prosperity leads to operational friction, seeking equitable and humble solutions prevents relationships from fracturing.
• The call to "live peaceably with all" (Rom 12:18) takes on extra significance when our actions are observed by those outside the faith, urging us to resolve conflicts in a way that honors God.