Abram and Lot Separate: This account unfolds in the four scenes of Abram’s return to Canaan (vv. 1–4), the separation of Abram and Lot (vv. 5–13), God’s renewal of the promise of land and offspring to Abram (vv. 14–17), and Abram’s settling near Mamre (v. 18).

13:1–4 Abram went up from Egypt with Sarai and Lot to the area south of Canaan called the Negev. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. Leaving the Negev, Abram traveled north through the hill country, eventually arriving at the place between Bethel and Ai where he had earlier pitched his tent and built an altar. This time Abram called on Yahweh’s name. There is no report that Abram performed an act of worship outside the promised land. In Egypt and Mesopotamia the established cults probably would have prev…