King James Version

What Does Genesis 13:8 Mean?

Genesis 13:8 in the King James Version says “And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdme...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 13:8 · KJV

Prayer

Context

6

And 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.

7

And 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.

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.

Read Genesis 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my he... 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 does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 18

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְרָ֜ם2 of 18

“And Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ל֗וֹט4 of 18

“unto Lot”

H3876

lot, abraham's nephew

אַל5 of 18

“no”

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָ֨א6 of 18
H4994

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

תְהִ֤י7 of 18

“Let there be”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מְרִיבָה֙8 of 18

“strife”

H4808

quarrel

בֵּינִ֣י9 of 18
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵינֶ֔ךָ10 of 18
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵ֥ין11 of 18
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

רֹעֶ֑יךָ12 of 18

“I pray thee between me and thee and between my herdmen”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

וּבֵ֣ין13 of 18
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

רֹעֶ֑יךָ14 of 18

“I pray thee between me and thee and between my herdmen”

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

כִּֽי15 of 18
H3588

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

אֲנָשִׁ֥ים16 of 18
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אַחִ֖ים17 of 18

“be brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃18 of 18
H587

we

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 13:8 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 13:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 6:6-7Acts 7:26Psalms 133:11 John 4:20-211 John 2:9-11Genesis 11:27-31

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