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Genesis 13:12

Genesis 13:12 in Multiple Translations

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

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

Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom.

Abram went on living in the land of Canaan, and Lot went to the lowland towns, moving his tent as far as Sodom.

Abram went to live in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled down among the towns in the valley, setting up his tents near Sodom.

Abram dwelled in the lande of Canaan, and Lot abode in the cities of the plaine, and pitched his tent euen to Sodom.

Abram hath dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot hath dwelt in the cities of the circuit, and tenteth unto Sodom;

Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom.

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

Abram dwelt in the land of Chanaan; and Lot abode in the towns that were about the Jordan, and dwelt in Sodom.

Abram stayed in the Canaan area, and Lot started to live near the cities in the plain of the Jordan River, and he set up his tents near Sodom city.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 13:12

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 13:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אַבְרָ֖ם יָשַׁ֣ב בְּ/אֶֽרֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְ/ל֗וֹט יָשַׁב֙ בְּ/עָרֵ֣י הַ/כִּכָּ֔ר וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֖ל עַד סְדֹֽם
אַבְרָ֖ם ʼAbrâm H87 Abram N-proper
יָשַׁ֣ב yâshab H3427 to dwell V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בְּ/אֶֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 land Prep | N-cs
כְּנָ֑עַן Kᵉnaʻan H3667 Canaan N-proper
וְ/ל֗וֹט Lôwṭ H3876 Lot Conj | N-proper
יָשַׁב֙ yâshab H3427 to dwell V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בְּ/עָרֵ֣י ʻîyr H5892 excitement Prep | N-fp
הַ/כִּכָּ֔ר kikkâr H3603 talent Art | N-cs
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֖ל ʼâhal H167 to pitch Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep
סְדֹֽם Çᵉdôm H5467 Sodom N-proper
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 13:12

אַבְרָ֖ם ʼAbrâm H87 "Abram" N-proper
Abram was the original name of Abraham, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Terah, brother of Nahor and Haran, and husband of Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah, as told in Genesis 11:26--17:5.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989); father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x Another name of av.ra.ham (אַבְרָהָם "Abraham" H0085) § Abram = "exalted father" original name of Abraham
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: Abram. See also: Genesis 11:26; Genesis 14:13; Nehemiah 9:7.
יָשַׁ֣ב yâshab H3427 "to dwell" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/אֶֽרֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
כְּנָ֑עַן Kᵉnaʻan H3667 "Canaan" N-proper
Canaan was a son of Ham and the name of the country where he lived, which is now modern-day Israel. The Canaanites were known for being merchants and traders, as seen in Genesis and other books.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.9.18; son of: Ham (H2526); brother of: Cush (H3568), Egypt (H4714) and Put (H6316); father of: Sidon (H6721), Heth (H2845), Jebusite (H2983), Amorite (H0567), Girgashite (H1622), Hivite (H2340), Arkite (H6208), Sinite (H5513), Arvadite (H0721), Zemarite (H6786) and Hamathite (H2577) § merchant, trader
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: Canaan, merchant, traffick. See also: Genesis 9:18; Exodus 6:4; Psalms 105:11.
וְ/ל֗וֹט Lôwṭ H3876 "Lot" Conj | N-proper
Lot was Abraham's nephew, who settled in Sodom and was later rescued by God. His name means covering and he is an important figure in the book of Genesis, particularly in chapters 11-14.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.27; son of: Haran (H2039); brother of: Milcah (H4435) and Iscah (H3252); father of: daughter1_of_Lot (H3876H), daughter2_of_Lot (H3876I), Moab (H4124H), Ben-ammi (H1151) Also named: Lōt (Λώτ "Lot" G3091) § Lot = "covering" son of Haran and Abraham's nephew who settled in Sodom and was delivered from its destruction by God
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: Lot. See also: Genesis 11:27; Genesis 19:5; Psalms 83:9.
יָשַׁב֙ yâshab H3427 "to dwell" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/עָרֵ֣י ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Prep | N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
הַ/כִּכָּ֔ר kikkâr H3603 "talent" Art | N-cs
In the Bible, a talent was a unit of weight or currency, like in Matthew 25:15-28, where a master gives his servants talents to invest. It could also refer to a round loaf of bread or a region, such as the Jordan valley.
Definition: 1) round 1a) a round district (environs of the Jordan valley) 1b) a round loaf (of bread) 1c) a round weight, talent (of gold, silver, bronze, iron) Aramaic equivalent: kik.ker (כִּכֵּר "talent" H3604)
Usage: Occurs in 55 OT verses. KJV: loaf, morsel, piece, plain, talent. See also: Genesis 13:10; 2 Kings 5:5; Proverbs 6:26.
וַ/יֶּאֱהַ֖ל ʼâhal H167 "to pitch" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To pitch a tent means to set it up or take it down. In the Bible, it is used to describe the movement of people, like the Israelites, as they traveled.
Definition: 1) to pitch a tent, to move a tent 1a) (Qal) pitch or remove a tent 1a) (Piel) to pitch one's tent
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: pitch (remove) a tent. See also: Genesis 13:12; Genesis 13:18; Isaiah 13:20.
עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
סְדֹֽם Çᵉdôm H5467 "Sodom" N-proper
Sodom was a city near the Dead Sea, known for its wickedness and corruption. According to the book of Genesis, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah as a judgment for their sins. The city has become a symbol of evil and immorality.
Definition: Sodom = "burning" a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment Also named: Sodoma (Σόδομα "Sodom" G4670)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: Sodom. See also: Genesis 10:19; Genesis 19:28; Isaiah 1:9.

Study Notes — Genesis 13:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Genesis 19:29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe that destroyed the cities where he had lived.
2 Genesis 14:12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since Lot was living in Sodom.
3 Genesis 19:1 Now the two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them, bowed facedown,
4 2 Peter 2:7–8 and if He rescued Lot, a righteous man distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—
5 Psalms 26:5 I hate the mob of evildoers, and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
7 Genesis 19:25 Thus He destroyed these cities and the entire plain, including all the inhabitants of the cities and everything that grew on the ground.

Genesis 13:12 Summary

[This verse describes how Abram and Lot, who were relatives, went their separate ways, with Abram staying in the land of Canaan and Lot settling near the city of Sodom. This decision had significant consequences for both men, as Lot became increasingly influenced by the sinful culture of Sodom, while Abram continued to trust in God's promises, as stated in Genesis 12:7. We can learn from Abram's example by prioritizing our relationship with God and being mindful of the influences that we allow into our lives, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. By doing so, we can maintain our focus on God and avoid the temptations of the world, just like Abram did.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Lot choose to settle in the cities of the plain, near Sodom?

Lot was drawn to the area because it was well watered and resembled the garden of the LORD, as described in Genesis 13:10, but this choice ultimately led him away from the presence of God and towards a life of sin, as seen in Genesis 19:1-38.

What can we learn from Abram's decision to stay in the land of Canaan?

Abram's choice to remain in the land of Canaan demonstrates his trust in God's promise, as stated in Genesis 12:7, and his commitment to following God's leading, even when it means separating from family members who do not share his faith, as seen in Genesis 13:11.

How does this verse relate to the concept of separation from the world?

This verse illustrates the importance of separating oneself from worldly influences, as Lot's decision to settle near Sodom ultimately led to his involvement in the sins of the city, whereas Abram's choice to stay in Canaan allowed him to maintain his focus on God, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

What role did God play in the separation of Abram and Lot?

While the Bible does not explicitly state that God intervened in the separation, it is clear that God was guiding Abram's decisions, as seen in Genesis 13:14, and that the separation was necessary for the fulfillment of God's promises to Abram, as stated in Genesis 12:1-3.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I may be compromising my faith by associating with worldly influences, and how can I separate myself from them?
  2. How can I, like Abram, trust in God's promises and guidance, even when it means making difficult decisions or facing uncertainty?
  3. In what ways can I, like Lot, be tempted by the allure of worldly comforts and pleasures, and how can I resist these temptations by focusing on my relationship with God?
  4. What are some ways that I can, like Abram, prioritize my relationship with God and maintain my focus on Him, even in the midst of challenging circumstances?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 13:12

Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan,.... In that part of the land strictly so called, where the family of the Canaanites had their abode; for otherwise taking Canaan in a more general sense, the plain

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 13:12

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

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 13:12

Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched [his] tent toward Sodom.Ver. 12. And Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain.] Not in the land of Canaan with Abram, and his seed: God had a holy hand in that. Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom.] A good place to pass through, but an ill place to take up in: as one once said of Athens.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 13:12

(12, 13) Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain.—Heb., of the Ciccar. Not as yet within their walls, but in their neighbourhood, and evidently with a longing “toward Sodom,” where, in Genesis 19, we find him sitting in the gate as a citizen, and with his tent changed to a house. While, then, Abram continued to lead a hardy life as a stranger upon the bracing hills, Lot sighed for the less self-denying habits of the city; and probably, when he had descended into the Ghor, the enervating climate, which so developed the sensual vices of the people as to make them “sinners before Jehovah” (see on Genesis 10:9), disposed Lot also to quit his tent, and yield himself to a luxurious and easy manner of living.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 13:12

12. Lot dwelt in the cities… and pitched his tent — He seems to have divided his interests between city and country.

Sermons on Genesis 13:12

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 13:5-13 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher talks about the importance of love and unity among believers. He shares a personal story about his uncle who never came to the Lord because of the figh
John Gill 2 Peter 2:8 by John Gill John Gill emphasizes the plight of the righteous man, Lot, who lived among the wicked in Sodom, illustrating the sorrow and grief that can accompany such a situation. He highlights
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 18:17-21 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Abraham and how God revealed his plans to him regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The preacher emphasizes that God
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 18:22-23 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, Abraham is having a conversation with God about the destruction of the city of Sodom. Abraham starts by asking if God would spare the city if there were fifty right
From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons Abraham & Lot - Leonard Ravenhill by From the Pulpit & Classic Sermons In this sermon, the preacher shares a personal anecdote about a fellow preacher in Dallas who had a unique introduction to his sermon. He then offers advice to a young man who beli
E.A. Johnston Revival Stories: Charles Finney by E.A. Johnston In this sermon, the preacher describes a powerful and transformative experience he had while preaching to a congregation. Suddenly, a solemn atmosphere descended upon the people, a
W.F. Anderson The Life of Abraham - Part 7 by W.F. Anderson In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of approaching the Bible not just as a source of facts or ammunition, but as a way to understand the heart and mind of God. He

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