The Meaning of Genesis 13:6 Explained

Genesis 13:6

KJV: 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.

YLT: 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;

Darby: And the land could not support them, that they might dwell together, for their property was great; and they could not dwell together.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Genesis 13:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 13:1-13 - Abram And Lot Part
The patriarch, like a restored backslider, made his way back to the old spot, on the highlands of Bethel, where his first tent and altar had stood. Through his wanderings hitherto there had been a depressing element of worldliness in his camp, through the presence of Lot, who, like many more, was swept along by his uncle's religion, but had little of his own. Feeling that separation was inevitable, and that God would surely care for him, Abram offered Lot his choice. See Psalms 16:5. The younger man chose according to the sight of his eyes. In his judgment he gained the world-but see 2 Peter 2:7-8. The world is full of Lots-shallow, impulsive, doomed to be revealed by their choice and end. "Let there be no strife!" Blessed are the peacemakers! Wherever the interests of peace can be conserved through the sacrifice of your own interests, be prepared to forfeit the advantage, but stand like a rock when God's truth is in balance. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 13:6 mean?

And not was able to support them the land that they might dwell together for were their possessions so great that not they could dwell together
וְלֹא־ נָשָׂ֥א אֹתָ֛ם הָאָ֖רֶץ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת יַחְדָּ֑ו כִּֽי־ הָיָ֤ה רְכוּשָׁם֙ רָ֔ב וְלֹ֥א יָֽכְל֖וּ לָשֶׁ֥בֶת יַחְדָּֽו

וְלֹא־  And  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
נָשָׂ֥א  was  able  to  support 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
הָאָ֖רֶץ  the  land 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
לָשֶׁ֣בֶת  that  they  might  dwell 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
יַחְדָּ֑ו  together 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַחַד 
Sense: union, unitedness adv.
רְכוּשָׁם֙  their  possessions 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: רְכוּשׁ  
Sense: property, goods, possessions.
רָ֔ב  so  great 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
וְלֹ֥א  that  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָֽכְל֖וּ  they  could 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: יָכֹל  
Sense: to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able.
לָשֶׁ֥בֶת  dwell 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
יַחְדָּֽו  together 
Parse: Adverb
Root: יַחַד 
Sense: union, unitedness adv.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 13:6?

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