Genesis 13:3

ESV And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,

NIV From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier

NASB And he went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,

CSB He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been,

NLT From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before.

KJV And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;

NKJV And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,

What does Genesis 13:3 mean?

After being forced out of Egypt by an angry Pharaoh, wealthy Abram and his company traveled north through the Negeb, then farther north up into the heart of Canaan. In truth, they were journeying back up the way they had come down, arriving back in the area of Bethel. This is the same spot, between Bethel and Ai, where they had lived for a time after arriving in Canaan.

As we'll be reminded in the following verse, this is the spot where Abram had previously built an altar and called on the name of the Lord. It's possible Abram came here specifically because he was hoping to hear from God once more.

Expand

Context Summary
Genesis 13:1–13 describes Abram's generosity to his nephew Lot, offering Lot the choice of where to settle his large herds. Lot chooses the fertile lands along the well-watered Jordan, near the city of Sodom. Abram settles near Hebron after hearing from the Lord once more that he and his uncountable descendants will one day possess all the land he can see.

Expand

Chapter Context
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.

Expand

What is the Gospel?

Download the app: