Abraham and Lot Separate
When their flocks grow too large, Abraham generously lets Lot choose the best land, and God reaffirms His promise.
Genesis 13:1-18
Take the Genesis 13 Quiz
Test your knowledge of this chapter
Explore Genesis Chapters
Study all chapters of Genesis
The Story
Abraham had become very wealthy—rich in livestock, silver, and gold. His nephew Lot, who traveled with him, also had flocks, herds, and tents. The land could not support both of them together; their possessions were so great that they could not stay in the same place.
Quarreling broke out between Abraham's herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land, watching.
Abraham, though older and having the right to choose first, took a different approach. 'Let's not have any quarreling between us, or between our herdsmen,' he said to Lot. 'We are family. The whole land is before you. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.'
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. He chose the whole plain for himself and set out toward the east, pitching his tents near Sodom—whose people were wicked and sinning greatly against the Lord.
After Lot had parted from him, the Lord spoke to Abraham: 'Look around from where you are—north, south, east, and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.'
Abraham moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built another altar to the Lord. His generosity cost him nothing in the end—God ensured that.
Abraham Shares
Kids Version
Abraham's nephew Lot lived with him. They both had lots and lots of animals—sheep, goats, cows, and camels. So many animals!
But there was a problem. There wasn't enough grass and water for ALL the animals. The men who took care of Abraham's animals started fighting with the men who took care of Lot's animals.
'We need more space!' everyone said.
Abraham didn't want fighting in his family. So he had an idea. 'Lot, let's split up. You pick which direction you want to go. I'll take what's left.'
Lot looked around. One way, he saw beautiful green land near a river. It looked perfect! He pointed that direction. 'I want THAT land!'
'Okay,' said Abraham kindly.
Lot took his animals and moved to the nice green land near a city called Sodom. But the people in Sodom were very bad. That wasn't a good choice.
After Lot left, God spoke to Abraham. 'Look all around you! I'm giving ALL this land to you and your family forever. Your family will be as many as the specks of dust on the ground!'
Abraham was kind and let Lot choose first. And God took care of Abraham anyway! When we're generous and kind, God sees it and blesses us.
Ready to test your knowledge?
See how well you know this story from Genesis.
Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Genesis 13:1-18 (KJV)
1And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
3And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
4Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
5And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6And 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.
7And 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.
8And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. brethren: Heb. men brethren
9Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
14And 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:
15For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. plain: Heb. plains
Memory Verse
“And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.”
— Genesis 13:1 (KJV)
Test Your Knowledge
How well do you know the story of “Abraham and Lot Separate”? Take the quiz to find out.
More from The Patriarchs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Abraham and Lot Separate” in the Bible?
When their flocks grow too large, Abraham generously lets Lot choose the best land, and God reaffirms His promise. This story is found in Genesis 13:1-18.
Where is “Abraham and Lot Separate” found in the Bible?
“Abraham and Lot Separate” is found in Genesis 13:1-18, in the book of Genesis.
What can children learn from “Abraham and Lot Separate”?
This story teaches children about Generosity, Peace, Trust in God's provision. Abraham and his nephew Lot had so many animals they needed more space. Abraham let Lot pick first. Lot chose the best-looking land, but Abraham trusted God to take care of him.