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? …

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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 could not support them
The Hebrew word for "land" here is "אֶרֶץ" (erets), which often refers to the physical ground or territory. In the context of Genesis, it signifies the Promised Land, a place of divine provision and blessing. The inability of the land to support both Abram and Lot highlights the abundance of God's blessings upon them. This abundance, however, also brings challenges, reminding us that even blessings require wise stewardship and sometimes difficult decisions.

while they stayed together
The phrase underscores the unity and familial bond between Abram and Lot. The Hebrew root "יָשַׁב" (yashab) means to dwell or sit, indicating a settled life. Their togetherness is a testament to their shared journey and faith. However, it also foreshadows the necessity of separation for growth and fulfillment of God's promises. This reflects the Christian understanding that sometimes God calls us to step out in faith, even away from familiar relationships, to fulfill His greater purpose.

for their possessions were so great
The Hebrew word for "possessions" is "רְכוּשׁ" (rekush), which encompasses livestock, wealth, and goods. This abundance is a direct result of God's covenantal blessings upon Abram. The phrase serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the material blessings that often accompany spiritual obedience. However, it also warns of the potential for material wealth to create conflict and division, urging believers to prioritize spiritual unity over material gain.

that they were unable to stay together
The inability to stay together due to their wealth is a poignant reminder of the complexities of prosperity. The Hebrew root "נָשָׂא" (nasa) means to lift or carry, suggesting that their combined wealth was too burdensome for the land. This situation illustrates the biblical principle that sometimes separation is necessary for peace and growth. It encourages believers to seek God's wisdom in managing resources and relationships, ensuring that material blessings do not hinder spiritual harmony.

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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