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Genesis 13 · a question people ask

God had promised the land to Abram's offspring (12:7). Why did Abram let Lot choose?

In the text

The text gives Abram's reason for wanting no strife: "let there be no strife between you and me… for we are relatives" (13:8). Rather than quarrel over the land, he offers Lot first choice (13:9). And it's after Lot has chosen that God tells Abram to look in every direction: "all the land which you see" will be given "to you and to your offspring forever" (13:14-15).

The verses

“The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.”
Genesis 12:7 · World English Bible
“Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives. Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.””
Genesis 13:8-9 · World English Bible
“The LORD said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever.”
Genesis 13:14-15 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 13

Genesis 13: Lift up your eyes

Abram, whose offspring were promised the land, lets Lot choose first. Lot lifts up his eyes and moves toward Sodom; then God tells Abram to lift up his eyes, promises all he can see to him and his offspring forever, and promises offspring as countless as the dust.

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions