King James Version

What Does Genesis 13:10 Mean?

Genesis 13:10 in the King James Version says “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD de...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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.”

Genesis 13:10 · KJV

Context

8

And 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

9

Is 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.

10

And 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.

11

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

12

Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Read Genesis 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Lot's Separation emerge from this passage?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיִּשָּׂא1 of 25

“lifted up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

ל֣וֹט2 of 25

“And Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

אֶת3 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֵינָ֗יו4 of 25

“his eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וַיַּרְא֙5 of 25

“and beheld”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת6 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל7 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כִּכַּ֣ר8 of 25

“all the plain”

H3603

a circle, i.e., (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the ghor or valley of the jordan; also a (round) loaf; also a talent (or l

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן9 of 25

“of Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

כִּ֥י10 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֻלָּ֖הּ11 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַשְׁקֶ֑ה12 of 25

“that it was well watered”

H4945

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region

לִפְנֵ֣י׀13 of 25

“every where before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

שַׁחֵ֣ת14 of 25

“destroyed”

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָה֙15 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת16 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

סְדֹם֙17 of 25

“Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וְאֶת18 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עֲמֹרָ֔ה19 of 25

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

כְּגַן20 of 25

“even as the garden”

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

יְהוָה֙21 of 25

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כְּאֶ֣רֶץ22 of 25

“like the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרַ֔יִם23 of 25

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

בֹּֽאֲכָ֖ה24 of 25

“as thou comest”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

צֹֽעַר׃25 of 25

“unto Zoar”

H6820

tsoar, a place east of the jordan

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 13:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 13:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 34:3Isaiah 51:3Genesis 14:8Genesis 2:8-10Joel 2:3Genesis 14:2

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
Jordan ValleyValley · Modern: Jordan Valley · 32.32°N, 35.57°E8 verses across 2 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
ZoarSettlement · Modern: Al Safi · 31.04°N, 35.49°E9 verses across 4 books
View all places in Genesis 13 →

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