And Abram had become extremely wealthy in livestock and silver and gold. And AbramThe name "Abram" means "exalted father" in Hebrew. At this point in the narrative, Abram is still known by this name, which signifies his role as a patriarch and a man of great promise. Abram's journey is one of faith and obedience, as he follows God's call to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him. This highlights the beginning of a covenant relationship with God, which is foundational to the narrative of the Israelites and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. had become extremely wealthy
The phrase "had become extremely wealthy" indicates a significant increase in Abram's material possessions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wealth was often measured by one's livestock, silver, and gold. This wealth is seen as a blessing from God, a fulfillment of His promise to Abram to make him a great nation (Genesis 12:2). It also sets the stage for future events, such as Abram's interactions with Lot and the surrounding nations. The wealth serves as a testament to God's faithfulness and provision. in livestock
Livestock, including sheep, goats, cattle, and camels, were a primary measure of wealth in the ancient world. They provided not only food and clothing but also served as a means of trade and barter. Abram's wealth in livestock signifies his status and influence in the region. It also reflects the pastoral lifestyle of the patriarchs, who were often nomadic herders. This aspect of Abram's wealth underscores the importance of stewardship and the responsible management of God's blessings. and silver
Silver, along with gold, was a standard of wealth and currency in the ancient world. It was used in trade and as a measure of economic power. Abram's possession of silver indicates his ability to engage in commerce and interact with other cultures and peoples. This wealth would later play a role in his interactions with kings and other leaders, demonstrating the influence and respect he commanded. Silver, as a precious metal, also symbolizes purity and value, reflecting the blessings of God upon Abram's life. and gold
Gold, like silver, was a symbol of wealth, power, and prestige. It was often used in the making of jewelry, religious artifacts, and as a form of currency. Abram's wealth in gold further emphasizes the extent of God's blessing upon him. In a spiritual sense, gold can represent the divine nature and the glory of God. Abram's possession of gold not only highlights his material prosperity but also serves as a reminder of the divine favor and covenant promises that God had bestowed upon him. This wealth would later enable Abram to fulfill his role as a patriarch and a man of influence in the unfolding biblical narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbramLater known as Abraham, he is a central figure in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. In Genesis 13:2, Abram is described as extremely wealthy, which sets the stage for the subsequent events in his life, including his separation from Lot. 2. Livestock, Silver, and GoldThese are the measures of wealth in Abram's time. Livestock was essential for sustenance and trade, while silver and gold were valuable for commerce and status. 3. CanaanThe land where Abram was dwelling at the time. It is significant as the land promised to Abram and his descendants by God. Teaching Points God's Blessing and ProvisionAbram's wealth is a testament to God's blessing and provision. It reminds us that God is the source of all blessings and that He provides for His people according to His purposes. Stewardship of WealthAbram's wealth challenges us to consider how we steward the resources God has given us. Wealth should be used to honor God and serve others, not just for personal gain. Faith and ObedienceDespite his wealth, Abram's life was marked by faith and obedience to God. This teaches us that our relationship with God should take precedence over material possessions. Contentment and TrustAbram's account encourages us to find contentment in God's provision and to trust Him for our needs, rather than relying solely on material wealth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Abram's wealth in Genesis 13:2 reflect God's promises to him in Genesis 12:2-3? 2. In what ways can we see Abram's wealth as a test of his faith and character? How does this apply to our own lives? 3. How can we apply the principles of stewardship and generosity in our management of resources today? 4. What lessons can we learn from Abram's life about balancing material wealth and spiritual priorities? 5. How do other scriptures, such as 1 Timothy 6:17-19, inform our understanding of wealth and its role in a believer's life? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:2-3God's promise to Abram to make him a great nation and bless him. Abram's wealth can be seen as a partial fulfillment of this promise. Proverbs 10:22This verse speaks about the blessing of the Lord bringing wealth without painful toil, which can be related to Abram's wealth as a blessing from God. 1 Timothy 6:17-19These verses provide guidance on how to view and use wealth, emphasizing trust in God rather than riches, which can be applied to understanding Abram's wealth. People Abram, Canaanites, Lot, Mamre, Perizzites, ZoarPlaces Ai, Bethel, Betonim, Canaan, Egypt, Gomorrah, Hebron, Jordan River, Negeb, Sodom, ZoarTopics Abram, Cattle, Exceedingly, Gold, Livestock, Rich, Silver, Wealth, WealthyDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 13:2 4333 gold
4363 silver
5077 Abraham, character
5414 money, stewardship
5476 property
5503 rich, the
8701 affluence
8780 materialism, and sin Genesis 13:1-2 8811 riches, attitudes to Genesis 13:1-12 5076 Abraham, life of Library July 21. "Look from the Place Where Thou Art" (Gen. xiii. 14).
"Look from the place where thou art" (Gen. xiii. 14). Let us now see the blessedness of faith. Our own littleness and nothingness sometimes becomes bondage. We are so small in our own eyes we dare not claim God's mighty promises. We say: "If I could be sure I was in God's way I could trust." This is all wrong. Self-consciousness is a great barrier to faith. Get your eyes on Him and Him alone; not on your faith, but on the Author of your faith; not a half look, but a steadfast, prolonged look, with …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth August 11. "All the Land which Thou Seest" (Gen. xiii. 15).
"All the land which thou seest" (Gen. xiii. 15). The actual provisions of His grace come from the inner vision. He who puts the instinct in the bosom of yonder bird to cross the continent in search of summer sunshine in yonder Southern clime is too good to deceive it, and just as surely as He has put the instinct in its breast, so has He also put the balmy breezes and the vernal sunshine yonder to meet it when it arrives. He who gave to Abraham the vision of the Land of Promise, also said in infinite …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Importance of a Choice
'And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hal; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Land of Promise
"All the Land which thou seest, to thee will I give it."--Gen. xiii. 15. Gertrude of Hellfde, 1330. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 It was as if upon His breast He laid His piercèd hand, And said "To thee, beloved and blest, I give this goodly land." O Land of fountains and of deeps, Of God's exhaustless store-- O blessed Land, where he who reaps Shall never hunger more-- O summer Land, for ever fair With God's unfading flowers; O Land, where spices fill the air, And songs the golden towers-- …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) The Wilderness: Temptation. Matthew 4:1-11. Mark 1:12, 13. Luke 4:1-13.
The University of Arabia: Jesus' naturalness--the Spirit's presence--intensity, Luke 2:45-51.--a true perspective--- the temptation's path--sin's path--John's grouping, 1 John 2:16.--the Spirit's plan--why--the devil's weakness--the Spirit's leading--a wilderness for every God-used man, Moses, Elijah, Paul. Earth's Ugliest, Deepest Scar: Jesus the only one led up to be tempted--the wilderness--its history, Genesis 13:10-13. 18:16-19:38.--Jesus really tempted--no wrong here in inner response--every …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 13:2 NIVGenesis 13:2 NLTGenesis 13:2 ESVGenesis 13:2 NASBGenesis 13:2 KJV
Genesis 13:2 Commentaries
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