King James Version

What Does Genesis 13:14 Mean?

Genesis 13:14 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place whe...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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:”

Genesis 13:14 · KJV

Context

12

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

13

But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

14

And 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:

15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

16

And 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.

Read Genesis 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and loo... 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 does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How should this truth about Divine Blessing shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַֽיהוָ֞ה1 of 21

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

אָמַ֣ר2 of 21

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְרָ֗ם4 of 21

“unto Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

אַֽחֲרֵי֙5 of 21

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הִפָּֽרֶד6 of 21

“was separated”

H6504

to break through, i.e., spread or separate (oneself)

ל֣וֹט7 of 21

“that Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ8 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

שָׂ֣א9 of 21

“from him Lift up”

H5375

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

נָ֤א10 of 21
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙11 of 21

“now thine eyes”

H5869

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

וּרְאֵ֔ה12 of 21

“and look”

H7200

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

מִן13 of 21
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמָּק֖וֹם14 of 21

“from the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁר15 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתָּ֣ה16 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

שָׁ֑ם17 of 21
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

צָפֹ֥נָה18 of 21

“where thou art northward”

H6828

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וָנֶ֖גְבָּה19 of 21

“and southward”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וָקֵ֥דְמָה20 of 21

“and eastward”

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

וָיָֽמָּה׃21 of 21

“and westward”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

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 13:14 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 13:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 49:18Deuteronomy 3:27Isaiah 60:4Genesis 13:10Genesis 28:14

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