Genesis 13:6
New International Version
But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.

New Living Translation
But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.

English Standard Version
so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,

Berean Standard Bible
But the land was unable to support both of them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to coexist.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.

New American Standard Bible
And the land could not support both of them while living together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.

NASB 1995
And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.

NASB 1977
And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the land could not sustain them while living together, for their possessions were so abundant that they were not able to live together.

Amplified Bible
Now the land was not able to support them [that is, sustain all their grazing and water needs] while they lived near one another, for their possessions were too great for them to stay together.

Christian Standard Bible
But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together,

American Standard Version
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.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There wasn't enough pastureland for both of them. They had so many possessions that they were unable to remain together.

Good News Translation
And so there was not enough pasture land for the two of them to stay together, because they had too many animals.

International Standard Version
But the land could not support them living together, because they had so many livestock that they could not stay together.

Majority Standard Bible
But the land was unable to support both of them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to coexist.

NET Bible
But the land could not support them while they were living side by side. Because their possessions were so great, they were not able to live alongside one another.

New Heart English Bible
The land was not able to support them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to remain together.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their possessions were so great that they couldn’t live together.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the land has not permitted them to dwell together, for their substance has been much, and they have not been able to dwell together;

Young's Literal Translation
and the land hath not suffered them to dwell together, for their substance hath been much, and they have not been able to dwell together;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the land supported them not to dwell together, for their acquisition was a multitude, and they were not able to dwell together.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither was the land able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, and they could not dwell together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Neither was the land able to contain them, so that they might dwell together. Indeed, their substance was so great that they could not live in common.

New American Bible
so that the land could not support them if they stayed together; their possessions were so great that they could not live together.

New Revised Standard Version
so that the land could not support both of them living together; for their possessions were so great that they could not live together,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together; for their herds were so large that they could not dwell together.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And that land was not sustaining them to dwell together because their cattle were very abundant, and they were not able to dwell together.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the land was not large enough for them to live together, because their possessions were great; and the land was not large enough for them to live together.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abram and Lot Part Ways
5Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6But the land was unable to support both of them while they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they were unable to coexist. 7And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land.…

Cross References
Genesis 36:7
For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock.

Genesis 26:14
He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.

Genesis 12:5
And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

Genesis 17:8
And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”

Genesis 15:18
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—

Genesis 24:35
“The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.

Genesis 30:43
Thus Jacob became exceedingly prosperous. He owned large flocks, maidservants and menservants, and camels and donkeys.

Genesis 31:9
Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock and given them to me.

Genesis 32:5
I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.’”

Genesis 47:27
Now the Israelites settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number.

Exodus 12:38
And a mixed multitude also went up with them, along with great droves of livestock, both flocks and herds.

Numbers 13:2
“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”

Deuteronomy 8:18
But remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you the power to gain wealth, in order to confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers even to this day.

Deuteronomy 11:24
Every place where the sole of your foot treads will be yours. Your territory will extend from the wilderness to Lebanon, and from the Euphrates River to the Western Sea.

Joshua 1:4
Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Genesis 36:6,7
And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob…

Ecclesiastes 5:10,11
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity…

Luke 12:17,18
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? …

Jump to Previous
Able Bear Dwell Dwelling Enough Great Live Possessions Property Room Substance Suffered Support Sustain Together Wide
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Able Bear Dwell Dwelling Enough Great Live Possessions Property Room Substance Suffered Support Sustain Together Wide
Genesis 13
1. Abram and Lot return with great riches out of Egypt.
6. Strife arises between Abram's herdsmen and those of Lot.
8. Abram allows Lot to choose his part of the country,
10. and Lot goes toward Sodom.
14. God renews his promise to Abram.
18. He moves to Hebron, and there builds an altar.














But the land was unable to support both of them
This phrase highlights the limitations of the land in sustaining both Abram and Lot's households. The land of Canaan, though fertile in parts, had its limitations in terms of resources. This situation reflects the agrarian society of the time, where land and its capacity to support livestock were crucial for survival. The inability of the land to support both parties foreshadows the need for separation, a common theme in biblical narratives where God’s people are often called to move or separate for His purposes.

while they stayed together
The phrase indicates the close relationship between Abram and Lot, who traveled together from Ur to Haran and then to Canaan. Their journey together signifies unity and family bonds, which were highly valued in ancient Near Eastern cultures. However, this unity is tested by practical needs, suggesting that sometimes physical separation is necessary to maintain peace and prosperity. This can be seen as a precursor to the later separations in biblical history, such as the division of Israel and Judah.

for they had so many possessions
The abundance of possessions signifies God's blessing upon Abram and Lot. Wealth in the form of livestock and servants was a sign of divine favor and prosperity. This abundance, however, also brings challenges, as it requires careful management and can lead to conflict, as seen here. The narrative underscores the biblical theme that material wealth, while a blessing, can also be a source of strife and requires wisdom to handle properly.

that they were unable to coexist
The inability to coexist due to wealth and resources points to the human tendency towards conflict over material possessions. This situation is reminiscent of later biblical stories where wealth and land lead to disputes, such as the conflicts between the tribes of Israel. It also serves as a reminder of the need for wise stewardship and the importance of prioritizing relationships over material wealth. The separation that follows can be seen as a type of Christ, who often called His followers to leave behind earthly ties for the sake of peace and spiritual growth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abram (Abraham)
The patriarch of the Hebrew people, called by God to leave his homeland and journey to Canaan. He is a man of faith and obedience, central to God's covenant.

2. Lot
Abram's nephew, who traveled with him from Haran. Lot's presence and choices often serve as a contrast to Abram's faithfulness.

3. Canaan
The land promised by God to Abram and his descendants. It is a land of both promise and testing for Abram and Lot.

4. Possessions
The wealth and livestock of Abram and Lot, which were so abundant that they could not coexist in the same area without conflict.

5. Separation
The event where Abram and Lot decide to part ways due to the inability of the land to support both their households and flocks.
Teaching Points
The Challenge of Abundance
Material wealth can lead to conflict and division if not managed with wisdom and humility. Believers should seek God's guidance in handling their resources.

The Importance of Peace
Abram's willingness to separate from Lot to maintain peace is a model for resolving conflicts. Christians are called to be peacemakers, valuing relationships over possessions.

Faith in God's Provision
Abram's trust in God's promise allowed him to let Lot choose first, demonstrating faith that God would provide regardless of the circumstances.

The Consequences of Choices
Lot's decision to settle near Sodom had long-term implications. Believers should consider the spiritual and moral environment when making decisions.

God's Sovereignty in Separation
Sometimes God uses separation to fulfill His purposes. Trusting in His sovereignty can bring peace in times of change and transition.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But the land
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

was unable
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

to support
נָשָׂ֥א (nā·śā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

[both of] them
אֹתָ֛ם (’ō·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

while they stayed
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת (lā·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

together,
יַחְדָּ֑ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they had
הָיָ֤ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

so many
רָ֔ב (rāḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

possessions
רְכוּשָׁם֙ (rə·ḵū·šām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7399: Property, goods

that they were unable
יָֽכְל֖וּ (yā·ḵə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

to coexist.
לָשֶׁ֥בֶת (lā·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry


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OT Law: Genesis 13:6 The land was not able to bear (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 13:5
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