Genesis 13:9

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Original Language Analysis

הֲלֹ֤א H3808

הֲלֹ֤א

Strong's: H3808

Word #: 1 of 13

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כָל H3605

כָל

Strong's: H3605

Word #: 2 of 13

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ Is not the whole land H776

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ Is not the whole land

Strong's: H776

Word #: 3 of 13

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ before thee H6440

לְפָנֶ֔יךָ before thee

Strong's: H6440

Word #: 4 of 13

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הִפָּ֥רֶד separate thyself H6504

הִפָּ֥רֶד separate thyself

Strong's: H6504

Word #: 5 of 13

to break through, i.e., spread or separate (oneself)

נָ֖א H4994

נָ֖א

Strong's: H4994

Word #: 6 of 13

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

מֵֽעָלָ֑י H5921

מֵֽעָלָ֑י

Strong's: H5921

Word #: 7 of 13

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אִם H518

אִם

Strong's: H518

Word #: 8 of 13

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל I pray thee from me if thou wilt take the left hand H8040

הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל I pray thee from me if thou wilt take the left hand

Strong's: H8040

Word #: 9 of 13

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

וְאֵימִ֔נָה then I will go to the right H3231

וְאֵימִ֔נָה then I will go to the right

Strong's: H3231

Word #: 10 of 13

to be right-handed or take the right-hand side

וְאִם H518

וְאִם

Strong's: H518

Word #: 11 of 13

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

הַיָּמִ֖ין or if thou depart to the right hand H3225

הַיָּמִ֖ין or if thou depart to the right hand

Strong's: H3225

Word #: 12 of 13

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה׃ then I will go to the left H8041

וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה׃ then I will go to the left

Strong's: H8041

Word #: 13 of 13

to use the left hand or pass in that direction

Cross References

Hebrews 12:14 Genesis 34:10 Genesis 20:15

Analysis & Commentary

Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the lef... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish:

salvation by grace through faith rather than works
covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people
the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible
the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort
the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith.

The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

What does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

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