1
וַיַּעַל֩ אַבְרָ֨ם מִמִּצְרַ֜יִם ה֠וּא וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר ל֛וֹ וְל֥וֹט עִמּ֖וֹ הַנֶּֽגְבָּה
So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the Negeb.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּעַל֩went upWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative opening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; idiom of returning from Egypt to Canaan is always 'going up', the land being higher in elevation and status.
אַבְרָ֨םAbramProper noun ms · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of וַיַּעַלאַבְרָם (H87), the patriarch's pre-covenant name, meaning 'exalted father'; personal name of the promise-bearer.
מִמִּצְרַ֜יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Ablative prepositional phrase (source of movement)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the dual form may reflect the two regions (Upper/Lower); the departure reverses the descent of Gen 12.
ה֠וּאheIndep pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject (appositive to Abram)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; resumptive pronoun specifying Abram as the primary subject before the list of accompanying parties.
וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹand his wifeconj וְ + N f sg constr + suf 3ms · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinate subject (accompanying Abram)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; Sarai named implicitly; her presence recalls the endangerment of Gen 12.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject head (governing relative clause)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, totality'; in construct before אֲשֶׁר summarizes the entirety of Abram's possessions.
אֲשֶׁרthat he hadRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing possession clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) general relative particle; here head of a nominal relative clause 'that which belonged to him'.
ל֛וֹto himprep לְ + suf 3ms · לְ (H)Predicate of possession in relative clauseלְ is the preposition of possession; the construction אֲשֶׁר לוֹ = 'that which was his', covering all Abram's property.
וְל֥וֹטand Lotconj וְ + proper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Coordinate subject (second accompanying party)לוֹט (H3876), Abram's nephew, son of Haran; his reappearance here sets up the separation narrative that follows.
עִמּ֖וֹwith himprep עִם + suf 3ms · עִם (H5973)Accompanying prepositional phrase (modifying Lot)עִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; marks Lot's comitatus with Abram — the same phrase whose rupture drives the chapter.
הַנֶּֽגְבָּהto the Negebart + N m sg abs + directional ה · נֶגֶב (H5045)Directional prepositional phrase (terminative goal)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negeb'; the directional suffix ־ָה marks motion toward; the Negeb is the semi-arid south of Canaan where Abram had staged before the Egyptian episode.
2
וְאַבְרָ֖ם כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד בַּמִּקְנֶ֕ה בַּכֶּ֖סֶף וּבַזָּהָֽב
Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְאַבְרָ֖םnow Abramconj וְ + proper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Topic subject (circumstantial/background clause)אַבְרָם (H87); the waw here introduces a circumstantial clause characterizing Abram's condition rather than advancing the narrative.
כָּבֵ֣דvery richAdj m sg abs · כָּבֵד (H3513)Predicate adjective (verbless clause)כָּבֵד (H3513) 'heavy, weighty, rich'; root כבד 'to be heavy'; applied to wealth means 'laden with riches'. The same root produces כָּבוֹד 'glory'.
מְאֹ֑דveryAdverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb intensifying predicate adjectiveמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; indeclinable intensifier; stresses the exceptional degree of Abram's wealth.
בַּמִּקְנֶ֕הin livestockprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Sphere prepositional phrase (specifying domain of wealth)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'cattle, livestock, property'; from קָנָה 'to acquire'; the primary form of wealth in pastoral economy, reappearing in v.7 as the bone of contention.
בַּכֶּ֖סֶףin silverprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Sphere prepositional phrase (second domain of wealth)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the standard medium of commercial exchange in the ancient Near East; with זָהָב forms the classic precious-metal pair.
וּבַזָּהָֽבand in goldconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Sphere prepositional phrase (third, concluding domain of wealth)זָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; the most precious metal; the triad livestock–silver–gold signals comprehensive wealth resembling royal status.
3
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ֙ לְמַסָּעָ֔יו מִנֶּ֖גֶב וְעַד בֵּֽית אֵ֑ל עַד הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁר הָ֨יָה שָׁ֤ם אהלה אָֽהֳלוֹ֙ בַּתְּחִלָּ֔ה בֵּ֥ין בֵּֽית אֵ֖ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעָֽי
And he journeyed by stages from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the first, between Bethel and Ai,
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ֙he journeyedWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk, journey'; the wayyiqtol continues the sequence of Abram's northward retracing begun in v.1.
לְמַסָּעָ֔יוby his stagesprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 3ms · מַסָּע (H4550)Manner/route prepositional phraseמַסָּע (H4550) 'journey-stage, stopping-place'; from נָסַע 'to pull up (tent-pegs) and move'; describes the itinerant mode of patriarchal travel by successive encampments.
מִנֶּ֖גֶבfrom the Negebprep מִן + N m sg abs · נֶגֶב (H5045)Ablative prepositional phrase (starting point)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negeb'; Abram retraces his own southerly path from the Negeb northward, reversing the stages of Gen 12:9.
וְעַדas far asconj וְ + prep עַד · עַד (H5704)Coordinating conjunction + terminus prepositionעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marks the northern terminus of the journey; with מִן forms the idiom 'from X as far as Y'.
בֵּֽיתBethelProper noun · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Terminus of journey (first element of compound name)בֵּית אֵל (H1008) 'house of God'; the town where Abram had previously built an altar (Gen 12:8); the repeated terminus signals liturgical reorientation.
אֵ֑לElProper noun · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Terminus of journey (second element of compound name)See בֵּית אֵל (H1008) above; אֵל 'God' as component of the place name.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition resuming the terminus specificationעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; resumptive repetition narrowing the destination from Bethel region to the specific place of the altar.
הַמָּק֗וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of עַד (the specific location)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place, site'; from קוּם 'to stand'; often used for a sacred site; the definite article marks it as the known altar-place from Gen 12:8.
אֲשֶׁרwhereRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing locative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) here functions as a locative relative 'where / at which'; ties the site to the anterior occupation.
הָ֨יָהhad beenQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (anterior relative clause)→ Perfective: stative past anterior — his tent had been located thereהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; stative use; the perfect here is pluperfect in relation to the narrative; marks the site as the prior station.
שָׁ֤םthereAdverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (specifying location in relative clause)שָׁם (H8033) 'there, in that place'; deictic adverb pointing back to the named site between Bethel and Ai.
אהלהhis tentN m sg constr + suf 3ms · אֹהֶל (H168)Subject of הָיָה (ketiv form)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the portable dwelling of the patriarchal nomad; the ketiv אהלה may be an archaic or orthographic variant; the tent marks Abram's non-permanent sojourn in the land.
אָֽהֳלוֹ֙his tentN m sg constr + suf 3ms · אֹהֶל (H168)Subject of הָיָה (qere form)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; qere reading; the tent of the patriarch embodies the pilgrim existence in the not-yet-possessed land.
בַּתְּחִלָּ֔הat the firstprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · תְּחִלָּה (H8462)Temporal prepositional phrase (anterior time reference)תְּחִלָּה (H8462) 'beginning, first time'; from חָלַל 'to begin'; contrasts with the present return, signaling deliberate liturgical resumption.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Preposition introducing spatial pair (between X and Y)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; typically takes a pair or series; here locates the altar-site precisely in the corridor between Bethel and Ai.
בֵּֽיתBethelProper noun · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)First member of 'between' spatial phraseבֵּית אֵל (H1008); see v.3 i.4; first pole of the between-phrase.
אֵ֖לElProper noun · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)First member continued (second element of Bethel)See בֵּית אֵל (H1008); second element of the compound toponym.
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Conjunction + preposition (second member of spatial pair)בֵּין (H996); paired with the first בֵּין to give the corridor; the waw is required to complete the between…and formula.
הָעָֽיthe Aiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Second member of 'between' spatial phraseעַי (H5857) 'the Ai', meaning 'ruin'; Canaanite city east of Bethel; the same corridor mentioned in Gen 12:8 anchors the return at the exact former station.
4
אֶל מְקוֹם֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר עָ֥שָׂה שָׁ֖ם בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה וַיִּקְרָ֥א שָׁ֛ם אַבְרָ֖ם בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה
to the place of the altar that he had made there at the first; and there Abram called on the name of Yahweh.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (continuing v.3 destination)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional preposition marking the arrival point; continues the journey description from v.3.
מְקוֹם֙place ofN m sg constr · מָקוֹם (H4725)Construct head (genitive chain: place of the altar)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place, site'; in construct with הַמִּזְבֵּחַ; the word signals cultic geography — the very spot where Abram had previously worshipped.
הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַthe altarart + N m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Genitive (specifying place as altar-site)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; from זָבַח 'to slaughter/sacrifice'; the altar built in Gen 12:8 that Abram now returns to, linking the two episodes liturgically.
אֲשֶׁרthatRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing attributive clause on הַמִּזְבֵּחַ)אֲשֶׁר (H834); relative particle introducing the clause identifying this altar as the one previously constructed by Abram.
עָ֥שָׂהhe had madeQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (anterior relative clause)→ Perfective: completed act, pluperfect relative to narrativeעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, build'; the altar 'made' there earlier; עָשָׂה for constructing cultic installations is common in the patriarchal narratives.
שָׁ֖םthereAdverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (anchoring the relative clause to the site)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; deictic reference to the site between Bethel and Ai; echoes v.3 where the same adverb appears.
בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑הat the firstprep בְּ + art + Adj f sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Temporal prepositional phrase (former occasion)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; fem. form used adverbially 'at the first / formerly'; matches בַּתְּחִלָּה in v.3 and confirms the deliberate return to the earlier station.
וַיִּקְרָ֥אcalled outWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (climactic main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the theological climax of the returnקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, proclaim'; with בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה the idiom means to worship/invoke YHWH by name; this act is the purpose of the whole return.
שָׁ֛םthereAdverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (same altar-site as above)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; third occurrence of this adverb in vv.3-4, triple-stressing the site as the locus of resumed worship.
אַבְרָ֖םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of וַיִּקְרָא (explicit for emphasis)אַבְרָם (H87); subject made explicit again, underlining that it is specifically Abram who calls on YHWH's name — not Lot, not the servants.
בְּשֵׁ֥םon the name ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Object phrase of worship idiom (קָרָא בְּשֵׁם)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name, reputation'; קָרָא בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה is the standard phrase for public invocation and worship of YHWH; the name represents the full personal presence and character of the deity.
יְהוָֽהYahwehProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (divine name in worship phrase)יְהוָה (H3068) the personal name of Israel's God, the Tetragrammaton; Abram's invocation here answers the promise of Gen 12:1-3 with explicit covenant worship at the return altar.
5
וְגַם לְל֔וֹט הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ אֶת אַבְרָ֑ם הָיָ֥ה צֹאן וּבָקָ֖ר וְאֹהָלִֽים
And Lot also, who was going with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + additive particle · גַּם (H1571)Coordinating conjunction + additive particle (introducing parallel)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, too'; additive particle introducing Lot's parallel wealth notice alongside Abram's in v.2; the doubling sets up the territorial pressure.
לְל֔וֹטto Lotprep לְ + proper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Dative of possession (Lot as owner)לוֹט (H3876); Abram's nephew; the לְ marks possession — 'Lot had…' — the same construction as לוֹ in v.1.
הַהֹלֵ֖ךְwho was goingart + Qal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle (relative clause modifying לוֹט)→ Participle: durative/continuous action — ongoing accompanying movementהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; the articular participle functions as a relative clause 'the one going with Abram'; the continuous aspect captures the sustained companionship now about to end.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative preposition (Lot accompanying Abram)אֵת (H854) 'with, alongside'; the comitative preposition (distinct from the object-marker H853); marks accompaniment, recalling עִמּוֹ in v.1.
אַבְרָ֑םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Object of comitative אֵת (person accompanied with)אַבְרָם (H87); Abram named as the one with whom Lot travels, establishing the relational basis that makes the coming separation meaningful.
הָיָ֥הhadQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential: possession clause)→ Perfective: stative — describing Lot's prior conditionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist, have'; the existential הָיָה with לְ + dative expresses possession: 'to Lot there was…' = Lot had.
צֹאןflocksN collective sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Subject of הָיָה (first item in Lot's wealth list)צֹאן (H6629) 'small cattle, flock of sheep and goats'; collective noun; the primary pastoral wealth; parallels the מִקְנֶה of v.2.
וּבָקָ֖רand herdsconj וְ + N collective sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Second subject item in Lot's wealth listבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd of oxen'; collective noun; with צֹאן forms the standard flock-and-herd pair representing full pastoral wealth.
וְאֹהָלִֽיםand tentsconj וְ + N m pl abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Third item in Lot's wealth list (household/personnel marker)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; the plural here represents Lot's household including servants and their families — the human capital of his establishment, not merely shelter.
6
וְלֹא נָשָׂ֥א אֹתָ֛ם הָאָ֖רֶץ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת יַחְדָּ֑ו כִּֽי הָיָ֤ה רְכוּשָׁם֙ רָ֔ב וְלֹ֥א יָֽכְל֖וּ לָשֶׁ֥בֶת יַחְדָּֽו
And the land could not support them to dwell together, for their possessions were great, so that they were not able to dwell together.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (main clause)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the primary negative; with the following verb negates the land's capacity to sustain them.
נָשָׂ֥אcould bearQal perf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: stative capacity — the land lacked the abilityנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, bear, carry, support'; here used of the land's capacity to sustain population; the same root used for 'lifting eyes' in vv.10,14. The land literally cannot 'carry' them.
אֹתָ֛םthemobj marker + suf 3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of נָשָׂא (Abram and Lot's combined households)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with suffix 3mp; 'them' = Abram and Lot together with all their dependents and livestock.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of נָשָׂאאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here specifically the promised land; the irony that the land of promise cannot yet support the promise-bearer and his nephew is a key theological note.
לָשֶׁ֣בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitival complement (purpose/result of bearing)→ Infinitive: expressing the purpose that was impossibleיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; the inf. constr. with לְ expresses the goal: to dwell together; the same root repeats in v.6b and appears throughout the chapter.
יַחְדָּ֑וtogetherAdverb · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverb (modifying לָשֶׁבֶת — joint dwelling)יַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together, jointly'; adverb of union; its repeated use (here and v.6b) frames the impossibility of shared settlement as the chapter's central problem.
כִּֽיforConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining why the land could not bear them)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because, that'; here causal, introducing the explanation: their possessions were too great.
הָיָ֤הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (subordinate causal clause)→ Perfective: stative — describing the condition that prevented co-dwellingהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; stative existence; 'their possessions were great' states the factual condition driving separation.
רְכוּשָׁם֙their possessionsN m sg constr + suf 3mp · רְכוּשׁ (H7399)Subject of הָיָה (causal clause)רְכוּשׁ (H7399) 'property, possessions, wealth'; from the root רָכַשׁ 'to acquire'; a comprehensive term for movable property including animals, goods, and people; used in Gen 12:5 for what Abram brought from Haran.
רָ֔בgreatAdj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective (describing רְכוּשׁ)רַב (H7227) 'great, much, many, abundant'; the adjective states plainly that combined wealth exceeded what the land in its current state could accommodate.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (resuming main line)לֹא (H3808) 'not'; the repeated negation with a second finite verb intensifies the impossibility by restating it from the angle of the parties themselves.
יָֽכְל֖וּwere ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (second main clause, negated — inability of the pair)→ Perfective: stative incapacity — they lacked the abilityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able, prevail'; stative; the subject shifts from the land (v.6a) to Abram-and-Lot themselves, giving the impossibility from both directions.
לָשֶׁ֥בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitival complement of יָכְלוּ→ Infinitive: the action they were unable to performיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit, settle'; repetition of the inf. from v.6a deliberately; the ring structure (cannot bear → cannot dwell) closes the impossibility statement.
יַחְדָּֽוtogetherAdverb · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverb (resuming and closing the 'together' motif)יַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together'; second occurrence in the verse, forming an inclusio with v.6a; the word that cannot be realized drives the separation.
7
וַֽיְהִי רִ֗יב בֵּ֚ין רֹעֵ֣י מִקְנֵֽה אַבְרָ֔ם וּבֵ֖ין רֹעֵ֣י מִקְנֵה ל֑וֹט וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י אָ֖ז יֹשֵׁ֥ב בָּאָֽרֶץ
And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were then dwelling in the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַֽיְהִיand there wasWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Existential predicate (wayyiqtol narrative formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the wayyiqtol existential וַיְהִי introduces a new narrative fact; here it inaugurates the conflict that will drive the separation.
רִ֗יבstrifeN m sg abs · רִיב (H7379)Subject of וַיְהִי (the conflict that arose)רִיב (H7379) 'strife, contention, dispute, lawsuit'; from רִיב 'to quarrel'; in pastoral contexts denotes disputes over grazing and water rights; the same root that appears in v.8 as מְרִיבָה.
בֵּ֚יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Preposition introducing the conflicting partiesבֵּין (H996) 'between'; with the paired וּבֵין in v.7 identifies the two sides of the dispute; the preposition echoes the geographical 'between Bethel and Ai' of v.3.
רֹעֵ֣יherdsmen ofQal ptc m pl constr · רָעָה (H7473)Construct-chain head (herdsmen as genitival subject)→ Participle: occupational — those whose ongoing work is herdingרָעָה / רֹעֶה (H7473) 'shepherd, herdsman, one who tends'; Qal ptc m pl constr; occupational participle in construct with מִקְנֵה; these are the actual agents of the dispute, not the patriarchs themselves.
מִקְנֵֽהlivestock ofN m sg constr · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Genitive (livestock owned by Abram, in construct chain)מִקְנֶה (H4735) 'livestock, cattle, property'; in construct between the participle רֹעֵי and the proper name: 'herdsmen of the livestock of Abram'.
אַבְרָ֔םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Genitive (owner of the livestock — end of first construct chain)אַבְרָם (H87); the chain רֹעֵי מִקְנֵה אַבְרָם is 'Abram's livestock herdsmen'; his name closing the chain distinguishes his party from Lot's.
וּבֵ֖יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Conjunction + preposition (second side of the dispute)בֵּין (H996); the paired בֵּין…וּבֵין construction frames the two parties symmetrically, presenting the conflict as relational rupture between equals.
רֹעֵ֣יherdsmen ofQal ptc m pl constr · רָעָה (H7473)Construct-chain head (second party in dispute)→ Participle: occupationalרָעָה (H7473); same occupational participle as i.3; the mirror structure underlines that the conflict is symmetric — it is between parties of equal structural description.
מִקְנֵהlivestock ofN m sg constr · מִקְנֶה (H4735)Genitive (Lot's livestock in construct chain)מִקְנֶה (H4735); same noun as i.4; the parallel structure identifies livestock as the contested resource on both sides.
ל֑וֹטLotProper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Genitive (owner — end of second construct chain)לוֹט (H3876); closing the second construct chain mirrors Abram's position; the dispute is fully between two named households.
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙and the Canaaniteconj וְ + art + gentilic noun m sg · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Circumstantial subject (parenthetical note on land occupants)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; the indigenous inhabitants of the land; their presence intensifies the irony — Abram and Lot must divide a space they do not own and which others still occupy.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj וְ + art + gentilic noun m sg · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Coordinate circumstantial subject (second indigenous group)פְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite'; likely 'villager' or a distinct ethnic group in Canaan; with the Canaanite they represent the existing human competition for territory in the promised land.
אָ֖זthenAdverb · אָז (H227)Temporal adverb (locating the circumstantial clause in past time)אָז (H227) 'then, at that time'; marks the aside as a past-tense footnote, distancing the narrator from the situation; implicitly the Canaanites are no longer there in the narrator's day.
יֹשֵׁ֥בwas dwellingQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle (circumstantial clause — continuous past occupation)→ Participle: durative — ongoing occupation by the indigenous peoplesיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; the participle with אָז gives a durative past: 'was then dwelling'; frames the land's occupation as an ongoing condition during the patriarchal period.
בָּאָֽרֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (site of indigenous occupation)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the definite article marks the promised land specifically; their dwelling there makes the conflict of vv.1-7 a three-way territorial pressure, not merely an internal family dispute.
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וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָ֜ם אֶל ל֗וֹט אַל נָ֨א תְהִ֤י מְרִיבָה֙ בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔יךָ וּבֵ֥ין רֹעַ֖י וּבֵ֣ין רֹעֶ֑יךָ כִּֽי אֲנָשִׁ֥ים אַחִ֖ים אֲנָֽחְנוּ
So Abram said to Lot, 'Please let there be no strife between me and you, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.'
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרsaidWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (introducing direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — initiating Abram's speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; the speech-introduction verb; Abram's direct address to Lot marks a shift from reported strife to diplomatic resolution.
אַבְרָ֜םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראַבְרָם (H87); named as speaker, highlighting that the initiative for peace comes from the promise-bearer rather than from Lot.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (addressee of speech)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the direction of the speech; אֶל + person = addressee.
ל֗וֹטLotProper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Object of אֶל (addressee)לוֹט (H3876); the addressee; Abram speaks directly to his nephew, bypassing the herdsmen and treating the matter at the patriarchal level.
אַלlet notNegative particle (jussive) · אַל (H408)Volitional negation (prohibiting the action)אַל (H408) 'not' (with jussive/cohortative); the negative particle of prohibition or wish; contrasts with לֹא (factual negation) — אַל negates a volitional action.
נָ֨אpleaseParticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (softening the request)נָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; a particle of polite entreaty or urgency; Abram uses it to frame the request as a plea rather than a command, befitting his deferential stance toward Lot.
תְהִ֤יlet there beQal jussive 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Jussive predicate (main verb of the prohibition)→ Volitional: jussive expressing Abram's wish that strife not existהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; jussive 3fs (agreeing with מְרִיבָה f.); the jussive with אַל is a negative wish: 'let there not be'; Abram refuses rivalry through wish not command.
מְרִיבָה֙strifeN f sg abs · מְרִיבָה (H4808)Subject of תְהִימְרִיבָה (H4808) 'strife, contention'; from רִיב (cf. v.7 רִיב); the noun-form here differs slightly from the noun in v.7, but both are from the same root; feminine form matching the jussive.
בֵּינִ֣יbetween meprep בֵּין + suf 1cs · בֵּין (H996)First party of the 'between' constructionבֵּין (H996) 'between'; with first-person suffix Abram includes himself in the appeal; the first-person form of בֵּין expresses relational reciprocity.
וּבֵינֶ֔יךָand between youconj וְ + prep בֵּין + suf 2ms · בֵּין (H996)Second party of the 'between' construction (Lot)בֵּין (H996) + suf 2ms; completing the pair 'between me and you'; the between-formula at the personal level precedes the same formula at the herdsmen level, moving from principle to particulars.
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Extension of the 'between' construction (herdsmen pair)בֵּין (H996); third occurrence of this preposition in the chapter; now applied to the actual combatants, expanding the peace appeal from the patriarchs to their retinues.
רֹעַ֖יmy herdsmenQal ptc m pl constr + suf 1cs · רָעָה (H7473)First party in herdsmen 'between' constructionרָעָה (H7473) ptc m pl constr + 1cs suffix; 'my herdsmen'; the same participle as v.7 but now with possessive suffix, marking Abram's ownership and moral responsibility.
וּבֵ֣יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Conjunction + preposition (completing the herdsmen pair)בֵּין (H996); fourth time in this chapter; the dense repetition of the preposition 'between' is a deliberate rhetorical device underlining the division that must not become permanent enmity.
רֹעֶ֑יךָyour herdsmenQal ptc m pl constr + suf 2ms · רָעָה (H7473)Second party in herdsmen 'between' construction (Lot's side)רָעָה (H7473) + 2ms suffix 'your herdsmen'; parallel with רֹעַי; the possessive suffixes mark each patriarch's accountability for his own retinue.
כִּֽיforConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounding Abram's peace appeal)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the theological and relational ground for the appeal: they are kinsmen and strife between them is therefore especially inappropriate.
אֲנָשִׁ֥יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate noun (verbless clause: we are kinsmen)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; plural אֲנָשִׁים; used here in the sense of 'people' as a semantic base for the following אַחִים — 'we are brother-men'.
אַחִ֖יםbrothersN m pl abs · אָח (H251)Predicate noun (kinship term in verbless clause)אָח (H251) 'brother'; pl. אַחִים; broadly 'kinsmen, relatives'; Abram and Lot are uncle and nephew (Gen 11:27), but אַחִים covers the wider kin relationship and is the emotional/relational ground of the appeal.
אֲנָֽחְנוּwe areIndep pronoun 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject pronoun (verbless clause copula)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587) 'we'; the first-person plural pronoun as the copula/predicate in the verbless clause; it closes Abram's kinship argument with emphatic 'we' — the unity they share.
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הֲלֹ֤א כָל הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הִפָּ֥רֶד נָ֖א מֵעָלָ֑י אִם הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל וְאֵימִ֔נָה וְאִם הַיָּמִ֖ין וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה
Is not the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If to the left, then I will go to the right; and if to the right, then I will go to the left.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
הֲלֹ֤אis notinterrogative הֲ + negative · לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical question opener (expecting 'yes' answer)הֲלֹא introduces a rhetorical question with a negative expecting affirmative agreement: 'Is not the whole land before you?' = 'Surely the whole land is before you.' Abram appeals to Lot's own advantage.
כָלall theN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of noun phrase (subject of rhetorical question)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; construct before הָאָרֶץ; the totality stresses that the land is vast enough for choice — Abram's generosity is real because the option is genuine.
הָאָ֨רֶץ֙the landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of כָּל (subject of the rhetorical question)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the definite land as the resource to be divided; the whole land before Lot is Abram's gift of first choice.
לְפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep לְ + N m pl constr + suf 2ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Predicate prepositional phrase (availability/disposal)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, presence, front'; לִפְנֵי + person = 'before you, at your disposal'; the idiom of choice and opportunity; Abram places the entire land at Lot's disposal.
הִפָּ֥רֶדseparate yourselfNiphal impv 2ms · פָּרַד (H6504)Imperative (main verb of Abram's proposal)→ Volitional: imperative — Abram's invitation/command for Lot to departפָּרַד (H6504) 'to separate, divide, part'; Niphal 'to separate oneself'; the imperative of this verb drives the resolution; the Niphal makes the separation Lot's own reflexive action, not something done to him.
נָ֖אpleaseParticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (softening the imperative)נָא (H4994) 'please, I pray'; second occurrence (cf. v.8); attached to the imperative to soften it into a polite request, consistent with Abram's deference throughout this speech.
מֵעָלָ֑יfrom meprep מִן + prep עַל + suf 1cs · עַל (H5921)Ablative prepositional phrase (Abram as the point of separation)מֵעַל (מִן + עַל) 'from upon, away from'; the compound preposition with 1cs suffix: 'from upon me / from being over me'; idiomatic for separating from someone's company.
אִםifConditional conjunction · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (first arm of alternative)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the first conditional alternative (left); paired with וְאִם for the second (right); the double condition offers Lot complete directional freedom.
הַשְּׂמֹ֣אלthe leftart + N m sg abs · שְׂמֹאל (H8040)Protasis noun (directional choice — north/left)שְׂמֹאל (H8040) 'left (hand), north'; in Hebrew orientation (facing east), left = north; with the article 'the left' identifies a specific direction.
וְאֵימִ֔נָהI will go rightconj וְ + Hiphil cohortative 1cs · יָמַן (H3231)Apodosis verb (Abram's directional response)→ Volitional cohortative: Abram's self-commitment to go the other wayיָמַן (H3231) 'to go right, take the right hand'; Hiphil 'to go/turn to the right'; cohortative expresses Abram's volitional resolve to defer; the generosity is active, not passive.
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional · אִם (H518)Coordinating conjunction + conditional (second alternative)אִם (H518); second arm of the conditional pair; introduces the mirror choice (right/south).
הַיָּמִ֖יןthe rightart + N f sg abs · יָמִין (H3225)Protasis noun (directional choice — south/right)יָמִין (H3225) 'right (hand), south'; with orientation facing east, right = south; the article marks it as the counterpart directional alternative to הַשְּׂמֹאל.
וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָהI will go leftconj וְ + Hiphil cohortative 1cs · שָׂמַאל (H8041)Apodosis verb (Abram's mirrored response)→ Volitional cohortative: Abram's self-commitment to yield the right side alsoשָׂמַאל (H8041) 'to go left, take the left hand'; Hiphil cohortative; exact mirror of v.9i.9; Abram offers to cede either direction, making his relinquishment of first choice total and unconditional.
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וַיִּשָּׂא ל֣וֹט אֶת עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת כָּל כִּכַּ֣ר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן כִּ֥י כֻלָּ֖הּ מַשְׁקֶ֑ה לִפְנֵ֣י שַׁחֵ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה אֶת סְדֹם֙ וְאֶת עֲמֹרָ֔ה כְּגַן יְהוָה֙ כְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בֹּאֲכָ֖ה צֹֽעַר
And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that all of it was well watered, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיִּשָּׂאlifted upWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו is the idiom 'to lift up the eyes' = to look intently; the same root used in v.6 of the land 'bearing' them — now the eye-lifting is Lot's decisive act.
ל֣וֹטLotProper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Subject of וַיִּשָּׂאלוֹט (H3876); Lot's eye-lifting initiates his choice; the act is framed by the narrator as a self-determining sight that leads him away from the promise-bearer.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עֵינָיו as definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the definite object עֵינָיו; untranslated in English.
עֵינָ֗יוhis eyesN f dual constr + suf 3ms · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of וַיִּשָּׂא (eyes as the organ of sight/choice)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual with 3ms suffix; the eyes are the instrument of evaluation and desire; Lot's sight-driven choice contrasts with Abram's faith-driven relinquishment.
וַיַּרְא֙and he sawWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Second predicate verb (result of lifting eyes)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — sight following the deliberate lookרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive, observe'; the sight-verb follows the lifting immediately; Lot's seeing is evaluative and decisive, not casual.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks כָּל כִּכַּר הַיַּרְדֵּן as the definite object of seeing.
כָּלall theN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of noun phrase (object of sight)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; the totality is what Lot sees; the expansive scope of the vision drives the expansiveness of his choice.
כִּכַּ֣רplain ofN f sg constr · כִּכָּר (H3603)Construct noun (geographic term in chain)כִּכָּר (H3603) 'round thing, disk, talent; plain, circuit'; as a geographic term 'the plain/circuit of the Jordan' describes the disc-shaped valley of the lower Jordan; always used with 'Jordan' in this sense.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive (river identifying the plain)יַרְדֵּן (H3383) 'the Jordan'; the major river of Canaan running south into the Dead Sea; the plain in question is the Jordan valley, lush with irrigation from the river.
כִּ֥יforConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explaining Lot's evaluation)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground for Lot's favorable assessment — the entire plain was well-watered.
כֻלָּ֖הּall of itN m sg constr + suf 3fs · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of nominal clause (totality of the plain)כֹּל (H3605) + 3fs suffix (agreeing with כִּכָּר); emphatic totality: 'all of it'; repeats the כָּל motif — everything Lot sees is entirely watered.
מַשְׁקֶ֑הwell wateredN m sg abs · מַשְׁקֶה (H4945)Predicate noun (verbless clause: all of it was well-watered)מַשְׁקֶה (H4945) 'watered place, drinking'; from שָׁקָה 'to water, give drink'; the Hiphil participle used as a noun; abundance of water in a semi-arid context is the supreme mark of fertility and desirability.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N m pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Temporal prepositional phrase (narrator's retrospective bracket)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, front'; לִפְנֵי + inf. constr. = 'before [the time that]…'; the narrator inserts a retrospective time-reference framing the lush plain as a pre-destruction state.
שַׁחֵ֣תdestroyedPiel inf constr · שָׁחַת (H7843)Infinitival clause (object of temporal לִפְנֵי)→ Infinitive: temporal reference — the destruction had not yet occurredשָׁחַת (H7843) 'to destroy, corrupt, ruin'; Piel intensive 'to utterly destroy'; the same verb used for the flood corruption (Gen 6:12); here anticipates the annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah.
יְהוָ֗הYahwehProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the temporal infinitival clause (the destroyer)יְהוָה (H3068); the Tetragrammaton; the narrator names YHWH as the agent of destruction, placing divine judgment over the lush scene Lot found so attractive.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking Sodom and Gomorrah as objects)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks the cities as definite direct objects of שַׁחֵת יְהוָה.
סְדֹם֙SodomProper noun · סְדֹם (H5467)First direct object (city destroyed)סְדֹם (H5467) 'Sodom'; one of the five cities of the plain; its wickedness noted in v.13; what Lot chose for its fertility is marked by the narrator for divine destruction.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second city)אֵת (H853); introducing the second city destroyed; the pair Sodom-Gomorrah is the standard shorthand for the judgment cities throughout the HB and NT.
עֲמֹרָ֔הGomorrahProper noun · עֲמֹרָה (H6017)Second direct object (city destroyed)עֲמֹרָה (H6017) 'Gomorrah'; the city paired with Sodom as the paradigmatic destroyed city; its name may relate to עָמַר 'to bind/deal tyrannically'.
כְּגַןlike the garden ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · גַּן (H1588)Comparative prepositional phrase (first of two landscape similes)גַּן (H1588) 'garden, enclosed park'; in construct with יְהוָה gives 'garden of YHWH' = the primordial paradise (Eden, Gen 2); the comparison elevates the Jordan plain to Edenic status — and ominously parallels it with the place of the first expulsion.
יְהוָה֙YahwehProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (owner/creator of the garden in the comparison)יְהוָה (H3068); 'garden of YHWH' is the Edenic paradise; invoking YHWH's garden while noting its impending destruction by YHWH is ironic — Lot chooses an Eden that will be judged.
כְּאֶ֣רֶץlike the land ofprep כְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Second comparative prepositional phrase (Egypt simile)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with מִצְרַיִם; the Egypt comparison is narratively charged after Gen 12 — the place Abram fled and found morally compromised; Lot's choice recalls Egypt, the non-promised alternative.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (land compared to the Jordan plain)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the second simile links the Jordan plain to Egypt, the place Abram left under shame; the double comparison (Eden + Egypt) presents Lot's choice as both attractive and shadowed.
בֹּאֲכָ֖הas you go towardQal inf constr + suf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Directional infinitival clause (geographic specification)בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; inf. constr. with 2ms suffix 'as one comes to / in the direction of'; a geographic idiom limiting the comparison to the part of Egypt heading toward Zoar.
צֹֽעַרZoarProper noun · צֹעַר (H6820)Terminus of geographic specificationצֹעַר (H6820) 'Zoar' (lit. 'smallness'); one of the five cities of the plain, the smallest; it will be Lot's refuge in the destruction narrative (Gen 19:22); its mention here foreshadows that later scene.
11
וַיִּבְחַר ל֣וֹ ל֗וֹט אֵ֚ת כָּל כִּכַּ֣ר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן וַיִּסַּ֥ע ל֖וֹט מִקֶּ֑דֶם וַיִּפָּ֣רְד֔וּ אִ֖ישׁ מֵעַ֥ל אָחִֽיו
So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated, each from his brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּבְחַרchoseWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (Lot's decisive action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive choiceבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select, elect'; in Qal with לְ + personal pronoun 'chose for himself'; the verb used elsewhere of God's elective choice, here used of Lot's self-interested selection.
ל֣וֹfor himselfprep לְ + suf 3ms · לְReflexive dative (Lot choosing for his own benefit)לְ + 3ms suffix 'for himself'; the dative of advantage/interest; the reflexive marking underlines that Lot's choice is entirely self-directed, in contrast to Abram's altruistic offer.
ל֗וֹטLotProper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Subject of וַיִּבְחַר (explicit for clarity)לוֹט (H3876); named explicitly to ensure the subject is clear after the intervening sight-scene of v.10; his naming makes the choice morally traceable to him.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks כָּל כִּכַּר הַיַּרְדֵּן as the definite object chosen.
כָּלall theN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of object noun phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; Lot takes the entire Jordan plain for himself — the full scope of what he had seen.
כִּכַּ֣רplain ofN f sg constr · כִּכָּר (H3603)Construct noun (geographic descriptor)כִּכָּר (H3603) 'plain, circuit'; see v.10 i.7; repeated to confirm that Lot chose exactly what he had surveyed.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive (the river giving the plain its name)יַרְדֵּן (H3383); see v.10 i.8; the Jordan plain completes the object of choice.
וַיִּסַּ֥עjourneyedWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · נָסַע (H5265)Second predicate verb (Lot's departure action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — departure following choiceנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull out, set out, journey'; the verb of tent-breaking and departure; the same root as מַסָּעִים (stages) in v.3; Lot now begins his own itinerary away from Abram.
ל֖וֹטLotProper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Subject of וַיִּסַּע (named again to track the subject clearly)לוֹט (H3876); his name is used three times in vv.10-11 to keep the subject clear and to underline his personal agency in each step of the separation.
מִקֶּ֑דֶםeastwardprep מִן + N m sg abs · קֶדֶם (H6924)Directional prepositional phrase (Lot moves east)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, ancient, front'; מִקֶּדֶם 'from the east' or 'eastward'; the eastward movement carries typological resonance — Cain went east (Gen 4:16), Babel was east (Gen 11:2); east is the direction away from YHWH's purposes.
וַיִּפָּ֣רְד֔וּthey separatedWayyiqtol Niphal 3mp · פָּרַד (H6504)Third predicate verb (the actual separation — narrative climax of this unit)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the enacted separationפָּרַד (H6504) 'to separate, divide'; Niphal reflexive/passive 'they separated themselves'; this is the verbal enactment of what Abram had proposed with הִפָּרֶד in v.9; now completed.
אִ֖ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject distributive (each from his brother)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, each one'; distributive use: 'each one from his brother'; the word softens the separation into a mutual distancing rather than a hostile rupture.
מֵעַ֥לfromprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Ablative preposition compound (point of departure)מֵעַל (מִן + עַל) 'from upon, away from'; compound preposition marking the source/departure; idiomatic for personal separation: 'each from alongside his brother'.
אָחִֽיוhis brotherN m sg constr + suf 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of מֵעַל (the kinsman separated from)אָח (H251) 'brother, kinsman'; 3ms suffix; echoes Abram's appeal in v.8 where he called them אַחִים; the separation is now enacted between 'brothers', giving it emotional weight despite the diplomatic resolution.
12
אַבְרָ֖ם יָשַׁ֣ב בְּאֶֽרֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן וְל֗וֹט יָשַׁב֙ בְּעָרֵ֣י הַכִּכָּ֔ר וַיֶּאֱהַ֖ל עַד סְדֹֽם
Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, but Lot dwelt among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents as far as Sodom.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
אַבְרָ֖םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Topic subject (fronted — contrastive settlement clause)אַבְרָם (H87); fronted before his verb for contrast with Lot; the name-first order signals the contrastive settlement notices that distinguish the two men's chosen locations.
יָשַׁ֣בdweltQal perf 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (Abram's settlement)→ Perfective: completed, resultative — Abram settledיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; Abram's settlement in Canaan proper contrasts with Lot's drift toward Sodom; the verb used for both figures highlights the divergence of their destinations.
בְּאֶֽרֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (Abram's territory)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in construct with כְּנַעַן; Abram remains in the promised land itself while Lot settles in its periphery.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive (the promised land Abram inhabits)כְּנַעַן (H3667) 'Canaan'; the promised land territory; Abram's staying in Canaan as opposed to Lot's move toward Sodom signals his covenant fidelity to the land of promise.
וְל֗וֹטbut Lotconj וְ + proper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Contrasting topic subject (waw-contrastive)לוֹט (H3876); the waw introduces the contrasting clause; Lot's settlement notice follows Abram's, placed in deliberate parallel-contrast.
יָשַׁב֙dweltQal perf 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (Lot's settlement — contrasting Abram's)→ Perfective: completed, resultative — Lot settledיָשַׁב (H3427); the same verb as v.12i.1 applied to Lot; the lexical identity exposes the divergent locations: Abram in Canaan, Lot among the cities of the plain.
בְּעָרֵ֣יamong the cities ofprep בְּ + N f pl constr · עִיר (H5892)Locative prepositional phrase (Lot's urban settlement)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; Lot's settlement בְּעָרֵי הַכִּכָּר contrasts with Abram's tent-dwelling; cities are associated with human organization apart from the pastoral pilgrim existence of promise.
הַכִּכָּ֔רthe plainart + N f sg abs · כִּכָּר (H3603)Genitive (the Jordan plain where Lot settles)כִּכָּר (H3603) 'plain, circuit'; third occurrence in vv.10-12; Lot chose it (v.10), chose all of it (v.11), and now dwells among its cities — the accumulation marks his progressive entanglement with the doomed region.
וַיֶּאֱהַ֖לand pitched his tentWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָהַל (H167)Third predicate verb (Lot's progressive movement toward Sodom)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the dangerous proximityאָהַל (H167) 'to pitch a tent, move one's tent'; denominative from אֹהֶל 'tent'; the same verb appears in v.18 for Abram; Lot pitches toward Sodom while Abram pitches toward Mamre — the contrast is final.
עַדas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Limit preposition (extent of proximity to Sodom)עַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; marks the dangerous proximity Lot has reached; he has not yet entered Sodom (he will in Gen 19:1) but his tent-pitching 'as far as Sodom' signals the trajectory.
סְדֹֽםSodomProper noun · סְדֹם (H5467)Terminus of Lot's proximity (the morally compromised city)סְדֹם (H5467) 'Sodom'; the city whose wickedness is noted in v.13; Lot's tenting toward Sodom immediately precedes the narrator's moral comment on the city's character — the juxtaposition is deliberate.
13
וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י סְדֹ֔ם רָעִ֖ים וְחַטָּאִ֑ים לַיהוָ֖ה מְאֹֽד
Now the men of Sodom were wicked and great sinners against Yahweh.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְאַנְשֵׁ֣יand the men ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Topic subject (narrator's editorial comment — fronted)אִישׁ (H376) pl. אֲנָשִׁים; constr. before סְדֹם; the men of Sodom are the inhabitants collectively; the waw introduces a parenthetical moral note on Lot's chosen neighborhood.
סְדֹ֔םSodomProper noun · סְדֹם (H5467)Genitive (city whose men are characterized)סְדֹם (H5467); the city Lot has pitched toward; the genitive identifies whose men are being morally profiled, immediately after Lot's dangerous proximity is noted in v.12.
רָעִ֖יםwickedAdj m pl abs · רַע (H7451)Predicate adjective (first moral characterization, verbless clause)רַע (H7451) 'bad, evil, wicked'; the primary moral negative in Hebrew; applied to persons it denotes ethical wickedness; functions here as the first of two stacked predicates.
וְחַטָּאִ֑יםand sinnersconj וְ + Adj m pl abs · חַטָּא (H2400)Second predicate adjective (intensifying the moral verdict)חַטָּא (H2400) 'sinner, one who habitually misses the mark'; from חָטָא 'to sin, miss'; the plural adjective/noun as predicate; with רָעִים the pairing escalates: not merely bad but habitual, flagrant sinners.
לַיהוָ֖הagainst Yahwehprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Directional prepositional phrase (specifying the object of sin)יְהוָה (H3068); the preposition לְ here indicates direction of the sinning — against YHWH specifically; their wickedness is not merely social but theological, a rebellion against the divine sovereign.
מְאֹֽדexceedinglyAdverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb (intensifying the double moral verdict)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; echoes v.2 where it intensified Abram's wealth; now it intensifies Sodom's wickedness — the same adverb that marked the positive extreme of Abram's prosperity marks the negative extreme of Sodom's sin.
14
וַֽיהוָ֞ה אָמַ֣ר אֶל אַבְרָ֗ם אַחֲרֵי֙ הִפָּֽרֶד ל֣וֹט מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ שָׂ֣א נָ֤א עֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ וּרְאֵ֔ה מִן הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֣ה שָׁ֑ם צָפֹ֥נָה וָנֶ֖גְבָּה וָקֵ֥דְמָה וָיָֽמָּה
And Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes, please, and look from the place where you are: northward and southward and eastward and westward,'
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַֽיהוָ֞הand Yahwehconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Topic subject (fronted — YHWH initiates the speech)יְהוָה (H3068); frontloading YHWH as subject signals a new scene — divine speech following Lot's departure; YHWH's word to Abram comes precisely 'after Lot separated from him'.
אָמַ֣רsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (introducing divine speech)→ Perfective: completed speech act — YHWH spokeאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; the standard verb of divine speech introduction; the perfect contrasts with the wayyiqtol narrative sequence, marking this as a theological disclosure embedded in the narrative.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (addressee of divine speech)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Abram as the recipient of the divine word; YHWH speaks 'to Abram' = addresses him directly.
אַבְרָ֗םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Object of אֶל (addressee of YHWH's speech)אַבְרָם (H87); the speech is addressed to Abram personally; his relinquishment is now answered by divine address.
אַחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחֲרֵי (H310)Temporal preposition (introducing time-frame of the divine speech)אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; with the inf. constr. הִפָּרֶד gives 'after the separating of Lot from him'; the timing is theologically significant — YHWH speaks to Abram precisely because of and after his relinquishment.
הִפָּֽרֶדseparatedNiphal inf constr · פָּרַד (H6504)Infinitival clause (temporal subordinate — the trigger for YHWH's speech)→ Infinitive: completed action serving as temporal reference pointפָּרַד (H6504) 'to separate'; Niphal inf. constr. after אַחֲרֵי = 'after separating'; the same verb root as v.9 (impv) and v.11 (wayyiqtol); its inf. form here brackets the whole separation narrative.
ל֣וֹטLotProper noun · לוֹט (H3876)Subject of infinitival clauseלוֹט (H3876); the subject of the inf. (Lot being the one who separated); the divine speech is the direct theological response to Lot's departure.
מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹfrom himprep מִן + prep עִם + suf 3ms · עִם (H5973)Ablative compound prepositional phrase (Abram as the departure point)עִם (H5973) 'with'; מֵעִמּוֹ 'from with him' = from Abram's company; the compound preposition marks intimate accompaniment that has now ended; the same root as עִמּוֹ in v.1.
שָׂ֣אlift upQal impv 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Imperative (YHWH's first command to Abram)→ Volitional: imperative — divine commandנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, raise'; the same root as וַיִּשָּׂא in v.10 where Lot lifted his eyes; YHWH now commands Abram to perform the identical act but under divine direction — a corrective parallel.
נָ֤אpleaseParticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (divine invitation rather than compulsion)נָא (H4994) 'please'; the particle softens even the divine imperative into an invitation, consistent with the covenant relationship between YHWH and Abram.
עֵינֶ֨יךָ֙your eyesN f dual constr + suf 2ms · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of שָׂא (eyes as organ of divine-directed seeing)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual + 2ms suffix; the eyes Abram is commanded to lift are the same organ Lot used for self-directed sight in v.10; the contrast between seeing in faith vs. seeing by desire is the chapter's visual theology.
וּרְאֵ֔הand seeconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Second imperative (compound command: lift and see)→ Volitional: imperative — YHWH commands divinely directed sightרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, observe'; paired with שָׂא — 'lift up and see'; where Lot's seeing was self-initiated, Abram's is divinely commanded; the same verb (v.10) now redeemed by divine ordering.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Ablative preposition (vantage point of the commanded sight)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the location from which Abram is to survey the land; his standing place is the vantage of promise, not of desire.
הַמָּק֖וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of מִן (the specific location of Abram)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the same word used for the altar-site in v.3-4; Abram surveys from the place of worship, connecting the sight with the worshipful context.
אֲשֶׁרwhereRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing location clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) locative relative 'where'; identifies Abram's current standing place as the vantage point.
אַתָּ֣הyou areIndep pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of verbless locative clauseאַתָּה (H859) 'you'; 2ms independent pronoun; the emphatic pronoun + שָׁם gives 'where you yourself are standing' — Abram's present position is made the absolute point of survey.
שָׁ֑םthereAdverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (completing the locative clause)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; cf. vv.3-4 where the same adverb marked the altar-site; Abram surveys the land from where he already stands — no repositioning required, only divinely ordered attention.
צָפֹ֥נָהnorthwardN f sg abs + directional ה · צָפוֹן (H6828)Directional accusative (first of four compass directions)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; with directional suffix ־ָה = 'toward the north'; first of the four-direction command that together give Abram full possession of the land in every direction.
וָנֶ֖גְבָּהand southwardconj וְ + N m sg abs + directional ה · נֶגֶב (H5045)Directional accusative (second compass direction)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negeb'; with directional suffix; Abram is to look south — the direction from which he came (v.1) and which is now promised to him.
וָקֵ֥דְמָהand eastwardconj וְ + N m sg abs + directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Directional accusative (third compass direction)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front'; the direction Lot went (v.11); YHWH includes the east in Abram's promised view, implicitly encompassing what Lot chose.
וָיָֽמָּהand westwardconj וְ + N m sg abs + directional ה · יָם (H3220)Directional accusative (fourth compass direction — completing the horizon survey)יָם (H3220) 'sea, west' (the Mediterranean was to the west); with directional ה 'westward'; the four-direction survey gives Abram a 360-degree promised inheritance — the totality of the land.
15
כִּ֧י אֶת כָּל הָאָ֛רֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֥ה רֹאֶ֖ה לְךָ֣ אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּה וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֖ עַד עוֹלָֽם
for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֧יforConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounding the commanded sight in promise)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground for YHWH's command to look — the land Abram sees is to be given to him; the sight is promised before it is possessed.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted — topicalizing the object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi; the fronted object-marker topicalizes כָּל הָאָרֶץ before the verb, emphasizing what is given.
כָּלall theN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (totality of the land promised)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; every direction seen is included in the gift; the totality echoes Lot's choice of 'all the plain' (v.11) but in the opposite direction — faith-driven receipt vs. sight-driven seizure.
הָאָ֛רֶץthe landart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of כָּל (the promised land as object of divine gift)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land; the definite article marks it as the specific territory of covenant promise, not merely any land.
אֲשֶׁרthatRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (defining which land — what Abram sees)אֲשֶׁר (H834); the relative clause limits the referent to the specific land Abram has been commanded to survey; sight and promise are directly linked.
אַתָּ֥הyouIndep pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of relative clauseאַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatic — Abram himself, personally, is the one whose sight defines the land; the promise is as wide as Abram's YHWH-directed vision.
רֹאֶ֖הare seeingQal ptc m sg abs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate participle (present/ongoing sight in relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the act of seeing that encompasses the promised landרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Qal active participle 'the one seeing / as you see it'; the participle captures the ongoing visual sweep commanded in v.14; what you are seeing right now is what is given.
לְךָ֣to youprep לְ + suf 2ms · לְDative of advantage (Abram as recipient of the gift)לְ + 2ms suffix 'to you, for you'; dative of advantage; YHWH gives the land to Abram personally and to his descendants — directly contrasting Lot's choice 'for himself' (לוֹ, v.11).
אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs + suf 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Main predicate verb (YHWH's promise declaration)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/promissory — ongoing commitment to giveנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant, bestow'; impf. 1cs + 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ; YHWH's self-involving first-person declaration — 'I myself will give it'; the promissory imperfect expresses ongoing divine commitment.
וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֖and to your offspringconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 2ms · זֶרַע (H2233)Second dative of advantage (Abram's descendants as co-recipients)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring, descendants'; the promise is not exhausted in Abram's lifetime but extends to his future progeny; this is the seed-dimension of the Abrahamic covenant.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal preposition (introducing the duration of the promise)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; with עוֹלָם expresses eternal duration; the promise is not time-limited.
עוֹלָֽםforeverN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Temporal noun (the duration of the land-grant)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'eternity, forever, perpetuity'; עַד עוֹלָם 'forever, in perpetuity'; the most expansive temporal formula in Hebrew; the land promise to Abram and his seed has no expiration.
16
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י אֶֽת זַרְעֲךָ֖ כַּעֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִם יוּכַ֣ל אִ֗ישׁ לִמְנוֹת֙ אֶת עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ גַּֽם זַרְעֲךָ֖ יִמָּנֶֽה
And I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring too could be counted.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְשַׂמְתִּ֥יI will makeWeqatal Qal 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (continuing divine promise, weqatal sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential promise — expanding the foregoing land-grantשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, make, appoint'; weqatal 1cs continues YHWH's speech with a new promise: I will make your offspring like dust; the verb frames the comparison as YHWH's own creative act.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks זַרְעֲךָ as the definite direct object of שַׂמְתִּי.
זַרְעֲךָ֖your offspringN m sg constr + suf 2ms · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of שַׂמְתִּי (the offspring to be multiplied)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the object of the comparison; its multiplication to dust-of-the-earth proportions is the content of the new promise-word.
כַּעֲפַ֣רlike the dust ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · עָפָר (H6083)Comparative prepositional phrase (the dust simile)עָפָר (H6083) 'dust, dry earth, powder'; in construct with הָאָרֶץ; the dust-of-the-earth comparison for numerical vastness is a hyperbole of uncountability; cf. Gen 28:14 (stars); the earthly rather than celestial comparison is fitting for the land-promise context.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive (the earth whose dust is the comparandum)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; the dust of the earth is proverbially uncountable; the comparison promises descendants beyond any human enumeration.
אֲשֶׁ֣רso that ifRelative pronoun (condition) · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Conditional relative clause (condition of the comparison)אֲשֶׁר (H834) here introduces a conditional purpose clause: 'so that if a man can count the dust…'; the impossibility of counting dust = the impossibility of counting Abram's offspring.
אִםifConditional conjunction · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction within the relative clauseאִם (H518) 'if'; the hypothetical condition of counting dust is introduced by אִם, making the whole clause a reductio ad impossibile: if you could count dust, only then could you count the offspring.
יוּכַ֣לcanQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (protasis of the condition)→ Yiqtol: modal — hypothetical capacity (can/could)יָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; modal imperfect expressing hypothetical capability; cf. v.6 where the same root expressed the pair's inability to dwell together.
אִ֗ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יוּכַל (any person as hypothetical counter)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, person, one'; indefinite subject 'anyone, a person'; makes the condition universally applicable: no one anywhere can count the dust.
לִמְנוֹת֙to countprep לְ + Qal inf constr · מָנָה (H4487)Infinitival complement of יוּכַל (the counting action)→ Infinitive: the hypothetically possible actionמָנָה (H4487) 'to count, number'; the inf. specifies what the hypothetical person cannot do; the impossibility of counting dust equals the impossibility of limiting the offspring count.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi; marks עֲפַר הָאָרֶץ as the object of לִמְנוֹת.
עֲפַ֣רthe dust ofN m sg constr · עָפָר (H6083)Construct head of object phraseעָפָר (H6083) 'dust'; repeated from v.16i.3; the repetition within the same verse emphasizes that the comparison is to a known, countable-seeming but actually innumerable referent.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive (completing the dust-of-the-earth phrase)אֶרֶץ (H776); paired again with עָפָר to give the full idiom; the doubled construction (vv.16i.3-4 and 16i.11-12) is emphatic.
גַּֽםalsoAdditive particle · גַּם (H1571)Additive particle (introducing the apodosis)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; marks the apodosis as corresponding in kind to the protasis: even so, your offspring too will be countable (i.e., only then, which is never).
זַרְעֲךָ֖your offspringN m sg constr + suf 2ms · זֶרַע (H2233)Subject of the apodosisזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; repeated for the second time in the verse; the offspring are both the object of YHWH's making-like-dust (v.16i.2) and the hypothetically countable referent of the apodosis.
יִמָּנֶֽהcan be countedNiphal impf 3ms · מָנָה (H4487)Predicate verb (apodosis — the equally impossible counting of offspring)→ Yiqtol: modal-conditional — could be counted (only if the impossible first condition held)מָנָה (H4487) 'to count'; Niphal passive/reflexive 'can be counted'; pairs with the Qal לִמְנוֹת of the protasis; the Niphal passive makes the offspring the object of counting rather than the counter, closing the comparison elegantly.
17
ק֚וּם הִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְ בָּאָ֔רֶץ לְאָרְכָּ֖הּ וּלְרָחְבָּ֑הּ כִּ֥י לְךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה
Rise, walk through the land, through its length and through its breadth, for I will give it to you.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ק֚וּםriseQal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Imperative (first command — mobilizing Abram)→ Volitional: imperative — divine summons to embodied actionקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up, arise'; the summons verb often introduces a new commission; here it mobilizes Abram for the symbolic walk through the land — possession enacted in movement before legal transfer.
הִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְwalk throughHitpael impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Second imperative (the commanded act of traversal)→ Volitional: imperative — embodied claiming of the landהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; Hitpael 'to walk about, traverse'; the reflexive-intensive stem implies thoroughgoing, self-involving movement through the land; the same verbal root as הַהֹלֵךְ in v.5 but now in the divine-commission register.
בָּאָ֔רֶץthrough the landprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (the land to be traversed)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land Abram is to walk through is the same land just promised in v.15; the act of walking embodies the promise — in ancient Near Eastern law, walking a territory could constitute a symbolic conveyance.
לְאָרְכָּ֖הּits lengthprep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 3fs · אֹרֶךְ (H753)Manner/extent prepositional phrase (first dimension of traversal)אֹרֶךְ (H753) 'length'; with 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ 'its length'; the north-south axis of the land; Abram is to traverse every dimension, claiming the full extent.
וּלְרָחְבָּ֑הּand its breadthconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + suf 3fs · רֹחַב (H7341)Second manner/extent prepositional phrase (second dimension)רֹחַב (H7341) 'breadth, width'; with 3fs suffix; the east-west axis; length + breadth together = complete coverage of the land in all its extent; the command makes Abram's feet the instrument of promise.
כִּ֥יforConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounding the commission in promise)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground: 'for I will give it to you'; the commission to walk is grounded in the prior promise of giving — Abram walks because it is already his in promise.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + suf 2ms · לְDative of advantage (Abram as recipient)לְ + 2ms suffix 'to you'; dative of advantage; the same construction as v.15 לְךָ; the repetition of the personal address ensures Abram hears the gift as his own.
אֶתְּנֶֽנָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs + suf 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Main predicate verb (YHWH's repeated promise declaration)→ Yiqtol: promissory — YHWH's self-binding future commitmentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; impf. 1cs + 3fs suffix (הָאָרֶץ); exact repetition of v.15 אֶתְּנֶנָּה; the promise is restated to close the divine speech, creating an inclusio: give (v.15) → walk (v.17) → give again (v.17).
18
וַיֶּאֱהַ֣ל אַבְרָ֗ם וַיָּבֹ֛א וַיֵּ֛שֶׁב בְּאֵלֹנֵ֥י מַמְרֵ֖א אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּחֶבְר֑וֹן וַיִּֽבֶן שָׁ֥ם מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לַֽיהוָֽה
So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to Yahweh.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיֶּאֱהַ֣לmoved his tentWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָהַל (H167)Predicate verb (Abram's obedient response — narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Abram's obedient movementאָהַל (H167) 'to pitch a tent, move tent'; denominative from אֹהֶל; the same verb used in v.12 of Lot moving toward Sodom, but now Abram moves to Mamre/Hebron; the contrast is the chapter's final spatial judgment.
אַבְרָ֗םAbramProper noun · אַבְרָם (H87)Subject of the three wayyiqtol verbs in v.18אַבְרָם (H87); the chapter closes with Abram as the subject of three actions: move-tent, come, settle — simple obedient movement in response to the divine command.
וַיָּבֹ֛אand cameWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Second predicate verb (arrival at Mamre)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter, arrive'; Abram's movement culminates in arrival; the three-verb sequence (moved-came-settled) traces the full journey of obedient relocation.
וַיֵּ֛שֶׁבand settledWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Third predicate verb (settlement at Mamre/Hebron)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — permanent settlementיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, settle, sit'; the same verb used for both Abram and Lot in v.12, but now Abram settles at Mamre-Hebron, deep in the promised land; his settlement answers the divine commission to walk the land.
בְּאֵלֹנֵ֥יby the oaks ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · אֵלוֹן (H436)Locative prepositional phrase (Abram's new location)אֵלוֹן (H436) 'oak, terebinth'; pl. constr. 'oaks of'; the אֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא are the sacred trees associated with Mamre; tree-shrines were common patriarchal worship sites; the location becomes a recurrent setting in Abram's story (Gen 18:1).
מַמְרֵ֖אMamreProper noun · מַמְרֵא (H4471)Genitive (the landmark identifying the oaks)מַמְרֵא (H4471) 'Mamre'; a place name near Hebron; also the name of an Amorite ally of Abram (Gen 14:13); the location will become a center of covenant activity including the visit of the three men in Gen 18.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhich isRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing the geographic gloss)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the explanatory geographic identification of Mamre as being at Hebron; narrator's gloss for the reader.
בְּחֶבְר֑וֹןat Hebronprep בְּ + proper noun · חֶבְרוֹן (H2275)Predicate of locative relative clause (Mamre = Hebron area)חֶבְרוֹן (H2275) 'Hebron'; meaning 'confederation, alliance'; one of the most ancient cities of Canaan (Num 13:22), located in the hill country of Judah; it will become the burial site of the patriarchs (Gen 23).
וַיִּֽבֶןand he builtWayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Fourth predicate verb (the climactic altar-building)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the act of worship concluding the chapterבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build, construct'; the altar-building verb; Abram responds to land-promise not by taking possession but by building an altar — worship precedes ownership; the same pattern as Gen 12:7-8.
שָׁ֥םthereAdverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverb (at the Mamre/Hebron site)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; final occurrence of this adverb in the chapter (cf. vv.3,4,4); the altar built 'there' at Mamre echoes the altar visited 'there' at Bethel in v.4, creating a liturgical frame for the whole chapter.
מִזְבֵּ֖חַan altarN m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object of וַיִּבֶן (the structure built)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; the third altar in the Genesis narrative of Abram (12:7, 12:8, 13:18); each altar marks a new divine encounter or land-acknowledgment; the altar at Hebron answers the renewed land-promise of vv.14-17 with worship.
לַֽיהוָֽהto Yahwehprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative prepositional phrase (dedication of the altar)יְהוָה (H3068); the altar is dedicated to YHWH; the chapter that began with Abram calling on YHWH's name at Bethel (v.4) ends with him building an altar to YHWH at Hebron — worship encloses the entire narrative of separation and promise.