Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Genesis 13
Up = Palestine an ascent from Egypt.
south = Hebrew. the Negeb, S. of Judea, N. from Egypt. Compare Genesis 11:9.
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.
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".
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).
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