New King James Version
Genesis 13:9
9Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”
Genesis 13:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left."
- New Living Translation (NLT)The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
Context of Genesis 13:9
7And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 8So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.
Read all of Genesis 13Genesis 13:9 word by word
הֲלֹ֤א כָל־הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הִפָּ֥רֶד נָ֖א מֵעָלָ֑י אִם־הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל וְאֵימִ֔נָה וְאִם־הַיָּמִ֖ין וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- not the whole landאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
- before theeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
- separate thyselfפָּרַדpârad · to separateH6504
- the left handשְׂמֹאלώemô'l ώem'ôl · leftH8040
- then I will go to the rightיָמַןyâman · to go rightH3231
- to the right handיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
- then I will go to the leftשִׂמְאֵלώâma'l · to go leftH8041
Cross-references for Genesis 13:9
- Genesis 20:15And Abimelech said, “See, my land is before you; dwell where it pleases you.”
- Genesis 34:10So you shall dwell with us, and the land shall be before you. Dwell and trade in it, and acquire possessions for yourselves in it.”
- Psalms 120:7I am for peace; But when I speak, they are for war.
- Romans 12:18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
- 1 Corinthians 6:7Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?
- Hebrews 12:14Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
- James 3:13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
- 1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
Commentaries on Genesis 13:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9Is not the whole land before thee - As the patriarch or head of the family, Abram, by prescriptive right, might have chosen his own portion first, and appointed Lot his; but intent upon peace, and feeling pure and parental affection for his nephew, he permitted him to make his choice first.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-18Verses 1-18 - Abram and Lot Separate 7. פרזי perı̂zı̂y Perizzi, “descendant of Paraz.” פרז pārāz “leader,” or inhabitant of the plain or open country. 10. ככר kı̂kar “circle, border, vale, cake, talent;” related: “bow, bend, go round, dance.” ירדן yardēn Jardan, “descending.” Usually with the article in prose. צער tso‛ar Tsoar, “smallness.” 18. ממרא mamrē' Mamre, “fat, strong, ruler.” חברון chebrôn Chebron, “conjunction, confederacy.” Lot has been…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-9Verses 5-9 Riches not only afford matter for strife, and are the things most commonly striven about; but they also stir up a spirit of contention, by making people proud and covetous. Mine and thine are the great make-bates of the world. Poverty and labour, wants and wanderings, could not separate Abram and Lot; but riches did so. Bad servants often make a great deal of mischief in families and among neighbours, by their pride and passion, lying…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-13God promised the land to Abram. Abram might have told Lot to find his own place. Abram’s generosity showed his faith. He believed that even if he gave all the land away, God would still provide it to him and his descendants. Abram did not need to hold to things, while Lot's choices were selfish.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-181. went up ... south--Palestine being a highland country, the entrance from Egypt by its southern boundary is a continual ascent.Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 13:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries