What does Genesis 13:14 mean?
In the prior passage, Abram and Lot have separated in order to avoid conflict between their growing families (Genesis 13:1–9). Lot chose to live in the rich, but spiritually depraved region near Sodom, while Abram settled further out into the land of Canaan (Genesis 13:10–13). Lot's decision will not only involve him in a war (Genesis 14:1–16), it will eventually lead to his complete ruin (Genesis 19).The wording of this passage is interesting for its parallel to Lot's decision. There, Lot is said to have lifted his eyes, by his own will (Genesis 13:10), here, however, Abram only "lifts his eyes" to view land at the command of God.
After Lot moved himself and all his possessions away from Abram, the LORD—Yahweh—visits Abram once more. This echoes verse 10, where Lot lifted his eyes to survey and then claim the land along the Jordan river. Lot did so at Abram's invitation. Now God instructs Abram to lift his own eyes and look in every direction, north, south, east, and west. In the following verse, God will again promise to give to Abram and his descendants all the land Abram can see.
Genesis 13:14–18 shows Abram settling in Hebron, after offering his nephew Lot the first choice of which area to establish his family. Lot chose to live in the lush—but depraved—region of Sodom. Abram chooses to live on the general region of Canaan. Abram once again hears a promise from God: that he and his uncountable descendants will one day possess all the land he can see.
Both Abram and his nephew Lot have grown so wealthy in animals that they cannot occupy the same area together. They split up. At Abram's gracious offer to choose which land to take for himself, Lot elects to live on the well-watered plains of Jordan near Sodom. After the Lord speaks to Abram, reaffirming and expanding on His promises, Abram settles near Hebron, near the great trees of an Amorite man called Mamre. Abram builds an altar to the Lord there and continues to worship Yahweh.
