Genesis 13:8

Authorized King James Version

And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר

H559

said

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְרָ֜ם

H87

And Abram

abram, the original name of abraham

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

ל֗וֹט

H3876

unto Lot

lot, abraham's nephew

אַל

H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

נָ֨א

H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

תְהִ֤י

H1961

Let there be

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מְרִיבָה֙

H4808

strife

quarrel

בֵּינִ֣י

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

#10

וּבֵינֶ֔ךָ

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

#11

וּבֵ֥ין

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

#12

רֹעֶ֑יךָ

H7462

I pray thee between me and thee and between my herdmen

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

#13

וּבֵ֣ין

H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

#14

רֹעֶ֑יךָ

H7462

I pray thee between me and thee and between my herdmen

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

#15

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#16

אֲנָשִׁ֥ים

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#17

אַחִ֖ים

H251

be brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#18

אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃

H587

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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