Friendship: Abraham and Lot
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The relationship between Abraham and Lot is a significant example of friendship and familial bonds in the Bible. Abraham, originally named Abram, was the uncle of Lot, the son of Abraham's brother Haran. Their account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, where their interactions reveal themes of loyalty, generosity, and divine guidance.

Background and Journey Together

Abraham and Lot's journey begins in Ur of the Chaldeans, where God calls Abraham to leave his country and family to go to a land that He would show him (Genesis 12:1). Lot accompanies Abraham on this journey, demonstrating a close familial bond and trust in Abraham's leadership. As they travel to Canaan, their relationship is marked by mutual support and shared experiences.

Prosperity and Separation

As both Abraham and Lot prospered, their herds and flocks increased significantly, leading to strife between their herdsmen. To maintain peace, Abraham proposed a solution to Lot: "Please let there be no strife between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left" (Genesis 13:8-9). This act of generosity and humility on Abraham's part highlights his desire to preserve their relationship and ensure peace.

Lot chose the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley, settling near the city of Sodom, while Abraham remained in the land of Canaan. Despite the separation, the bond between them remained strong, as evidenced by Abraham's later actions.

Abraham's Rescue of Lot

When Lot was taken captive during a regional conflict involving the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham demonstrated his loyalty and courage by organizing a rescue mission. "When Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan" (Genesis 14:14). Abraham's successful rescue of Lot and his household underscores the depth of his commitment to his nephew and the enduring nature of their friendship.

Intercession for Sodom

The friendship between Abraham and Lot is further illustrated when God reveals to Abraham His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah due to their wickedness. Abraham intercedes on behalf of the cities, knowing that Lot resides there. He pleads with God to spare the cities if righteous people can be found within them, demonstrating his concern for Lot's well-being (Genesis 18:22-33).

Lot's Deliverance

Ultimately, Lot is delivered from the destruction of Sodom through divine intervention, as angels lead him and his family out of the city. This deliverance can be seen as a testament to the protective influence of Abraham's relationship with God and his intercessory prayer.

The friendship between Abraham and Lot, though tested by circumstances and choices, remains a powerful example of familial loyalty, selflessness, and the impact of righteous living. Their account serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strong bonds and acting with integrity and compassion in relationships.
Nave's Topical Index
Genesis 14:14-16
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them to Dan.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

'Because of his Importunity'
... to apprehend God's purposes in it is to keep in close friendship with Him. ... did not
here pray for Lot, but yet 'God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/because of his importunity.htm

The Intercourse of God and his Friend
... True friendship is frank, and cannot bear to hide its purposes. ... nowadays, which need
sorely the lesson that God 'remembered Abraham' and delivered Lot. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the intercourse of god and.htm

November the Twentieth the Real Aristocracy
... of a noble man; but to have the friendship of God ... and such glory may be the wonderful
lot of thee ... "Abraham, my friend." The Lord of hosts found delight in human ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/november the twentieth the real.htm

Perfect Righteousness was Conferred Neither by Circumcision nor by ...
... the friend of God." [3991] Then, again, Lot, without circumcision ... righteous men who
lived before Abraham, and of ... who prepares man for His friendship through the ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi perfect righteousness was conferred.htm

To Defend the Weak, or to Help Strangers, or to Perform Similar ...
... Then it also brings in good results, by an increase of friendship, from which ... [535]
Thou seest that Abraham, in looking ... [536] Thou seest that Lot received the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxi to defend the.htm

Jesus and Peter.
... Even so for every soul, Whatsoe'er its lot may be ... Abram's name was changed to
Abraham""Father of a multitude ... he came to Jesus, and began his friendship with him ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter vii jesus and peter.htm

He Retires to the Villa of his Friend Verecundus, who was not yet ...
... Thou hast already given him "the lot of the ... the flesh; and now he lives in Abraham's
bosom ... we comforting the sorrowing Verecundus (our friendship being untouched ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii he retires to the.htm

The City of God. Index of Subjects.
... appeared to Abraham, [96]327; Lot delivered by ... Friendship, the, of good men, anxieties
connected with ... fire passing between the pieces of Abraham's sacrifice, the ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /the city of god index.htm

Concerning Faith of Things Not Seen
... application of which, it is not the friendship of some ... of God which was foretold
and fulfilled unto Abraham, "In thy ... upon My vesture they cast the lot;" but ye ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /

Familiarity with Good Men is Very Advantageous to All...
... This friendship with the wise is a great help in teaching us, and also as giving
a sure proof of ... I pass by Lot, who when young clung to Abraham, as he ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xx familiarity with good.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about finding peace of mind? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian have gay friends? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about worldliness? | GotQuestions.org

Friendship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Friendship

Friendship With the World

Friendship: Abraham and Lot

Friendship: Daniel and his Three Companions

Friendship: David and Abiathar

Friendship: David and Hiram

Friendship: David and Hushai

Friendship: David and Ittai

Friendship: David and Jonathan

Friendship: David and Nahash

Friendship: General Scriptures Concerning

Friendship: Job and his Three "Friends"

Friendship: Joram and Ahaziah

Friendship: Luke and Theophilus

Friendship: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, With Jesus

Friendship: Paul and his Nephew

Friendship: Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila

Friendship: Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus

Friendship: Ruth and Naomi

Friendship: Samuel and Saul

Friendship: The Marys, and Joseph of Arimathaea, for Jesus

Related Terms

Enmity (23 Occurrences)

Friend (139 Occurrences)

Blood (435 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Visit (97 Occurrences)

Intimate (12 Occurrences)

Friendly (17 Occurrences)

Token (24 Occurrences)

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Reconcilation

Proffer (1 Occurrence)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Antiochus

Kiss (39 Occurrences)

Martha (12 Occurrences)

Love (703 Occurrences)

Jonathan (109 Occurrences)

Monthly (11 Occurrences)

Job (60 Occurrences)

Elamites (2 Occurrences)

Elam (24 Occurrences)

Quarter (33 Occurrences)

Visitor (2 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kindness (295 Occurrences)

Nabathaeans

Numenius

Nabataeans

Under (4325 Occurrences)

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Onias

Jethro (10 Occurrences)

Judas (42 Occurrences)

Lovely (19 Occurrences)

Grace (277 Occurrences)

Galeed (2 Occurrences)

Greet (46 Occurrences)

Gesture

Wishes (37 Occurrences)

Wrathful (11 Occurrences)

With (66342 Occurrences)

Win (27 Occurrences)

Furious (28 Occurrences)

Friend's (3 Occurrences)

Fright (3 Occurrences)

God (45911 Occurrences)

Tie (18 Occurrences)

Trust (201 Occurrences)

Treat (53 Occurrences)

Tender (66 Occurrences)

Reconcile (10 Occurrences)

Restoration (4 Occurrences)

Ripeness (2 Occurrences)

Rekem (6 Occurrences)

Reconciliation (11 Occurrences)

Eliphaz (14 Occurrences)

Esteem (25 Occurrences)

Dissension (18 Occurrences)

Divide (71 Occurrences)

Meshelemiah (4 Occurrences)

Modin

Passionate (6 Occurrences)

Pretend (9 Occurrences)

Prime (3 Occurrences)

Profession (9 Occurrences)

Profess (9 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Broken (559 Occurrences)

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)

Constituted (6 Occurrences)

Chooses (36 Occurrences)

Claudius (3 Occurrences)

Cush (31 Occurrences)

Conciliate (1 Occurrence)

Creatures (83 Occurrences)

Cautious (2 Occurrences)

Cement (1 Occurrence)

Commerce (3 Occurrences)

Friendship with the World as Enmity with God
Top of Page
Top of Page