And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
7. And there was a strife ] The account according to J of the reason for the separation. Disputes were constantly arising between the herdsmen of the two caravans. For other examples of such causes of friction among shepherds and herdsmen, see Gen 21:24-32, Gen 26:15-33.
and the Canaanite and the Perizzite ] Cf. Gen 12:6. The introduction of this clause is probably intended to emphasize the danger of dissensions between the Hebrew camps at a time when the native inhabitants, jealous of the wealth of the strangers, might be glad of a pretext for attacking them singly. “The Canaanite” is the indigenous inhabitant (Gen 10:15; Gen 10:19, Gen 12:6) in J.
The Perizzite is mentioned with the Canaanite in Gen 34:30, Jdg 1:4-5, and in the lists of the nations, e.g. Gen 15:20-21. In Jos 17:15 the Perizzites are named with the Rephaim; and in Jos 24:11 with the Amorites. There is no means of determining where they dwelt. Some have supposed that the Perizzites meant the peasantry, or dwellers in villages and unwalled towns, as distinct from the Canaanites who dwelt in walled cities: and that the name is connected with the word perazi, used in Deu 3:5 and 1Sa 6:18.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 7. The Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.] That is, they were there at the time Abram and Lot came to fix their tents in the land. See Clarke on Ge 12:6.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The Canaanite, i.e. the Canaanites, as Gen 12:6, the singular number for the plural, as Psa 78:45; 105:33,40.
Dwelled then in the land, i.e. were the lords and owners of it; and therefore Abram and Lot could not take what pastures they pleased, but such as the others left them, which was not sufficient for their conveniency. It may also be added as a reason of Abram’s following motion, because that idolatrous people were present, and diligently observed all their contentions and other miscarriages; and would, doubtless, take occasion thence to disparage the true religion. And it must be remembered, that these are the words not of Abram, but of Moses; who, knowing that the Canaanites were then speedily to be turned out of the land, intimates that the case was otherwise in Abram’s days, when the Canaanites were possessed, and were likely to continue the possessors and lords of the land.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7. And there was a strifeAbraham’scharacter appears here in a most amiable light. Having a strong senseof religion, he was afraid of doing anything that might tend toinjure its character or bring discredit on its name, and he rightlyjudged that such unhappy effects would be produced if two personswhom nature and grace had so closely connected should come to arupture [Ge 13:8]. Waiving hisright to dictate, he gave the freedom of choice to Lot. The conductof Abraham was not only disinterested and peaceable, but generous andcondescending in an extraordinary degree, exemplifying the Scriptureprecepts (Mat 6:32; Rom 12:10;Rom 12:11; Phi 2:4).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle,…. Not between the two masters, but between their servants, their upper servants, that had the care of their herds to feed them, and water them; and it is very probable their strife was about pasturage and watering places, the one endeavouring to get them from the other, or to get the best; which is much more likely than what Jarchi suggests, that the herdmen of Lot were wicked men, and fed their cattle in the fields of others, and the herdmen of Abram reproved them for their robbery; but they said, the land is given of Abram, and he hath no heir, but Lot is his heir, and what robbery is this? and to this sense are the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem:
and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land; which observation is made by Moses to point to a reason why they could not both of them have a sufficiency for their large flocks and herds, because the country was in the possession of others; and though there was to spare, yet not enough for them both. The Canaanite, though it was a general name for the people of the whole land, yet was given to a particular family in it, and was derived from their first founder Canaan, the son of Ham; the Perizzite was another family or tribe of the same nation, who had their name from , “a village”; these being Pagans or villagers, living in huts, or houses, or tents scattered up and down in the fields, and were a rough, inhuman, and unsociable sort of people, and therefore it could not be expected that they would oblige them with much pasturage and water for their flocks: and besides, this may be remarked, partly to show the danger that Abram and Lot were in through the dissension of their herdmen, since those people that were so nigh might take the advantage of their quarrels among themselves, and fall upon them both, and destroy them, and therefore a reconciliation was necessary; and partly to observe the reproach that was like to come upon them, and upon the true religion, for their sakes, should they differ among themselves, which such sort of men would gladly catch at, and improve against them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7. And there was a strife. What I hinted respecting riches, is also true respecting a large retinue of attendants. We see with what ambition many desire a great crowd of servants, almost amounting to a whole people. But since the family of Abram cost him so dear; let us be well content to have few servants, or even to be entirely without them, if it seem right to the Lord that it should be so. It was scarcely possible to avoid great confusion, in a house where there was a considerable number of men. And experience confirms the truth of the proverbs that a crowd is commonly turbulent. Now, if repose and tranquility be an inestimable good; let us know, that we best consult for our real welfare, when we have a small house, and privately pass our time, without tumult, in our families. We are also warned, by the example before us, to beware lest Satan, by indirect methods, should lead us into contention. For when he cannot light up mutual enmities between us, he would involve us in other men’s quarrels. Lot and Abram were at concord with each other; but a contention raised between their shepherds, carried them reluctantly away; so that they were compelled to separate from each other. There is no doubt that Abram faithfully instructed his own people to cultivate peace; yet he did not so far succeed in his desire and effort, as to prevent his witnessing the most destructive fire of discord kindled in his house. Wherefore, it is nothing wonderful, if we see tumults often arising in churches, where there is a still greater number of men. Abram had about three hundred servants; it is probable that the family of Lot was nearly equal to it: (353) what then may be expected to take place between five or six thousand men, — especially free men, — when they contend with each other? As, however, we ought not to be disturbed by such scandals; so we must, in every way, take care that contentions do not become violent. For unless they be speedily met, they will soon break out into pernicious dissension.
The Canaanite and the Perizzite. Moses adds this for the sake of aggravating the evil. For he declares the heat of the contention to have been so great, that it could neither be extinguished nor assuaged, even by the fear of impending destruction. They were surrounded by as many enemies as they had neighbors. Nothing, therefore, was wanting in order to their destruction, but a suitable occasion; and this they themselves were affording by their quarrels. To such a degree does blind fury infatuate men, when once the vehemence of contention has prevailed, that they carelessly despise death, when placed before their eyes. Now, although we are not continually surrounded by Canaanites, we are yet in the midst of enemies, as long as we sojourn in the world. Wherefore, if we are influenced by any desire for the salvation of ourselves, and of our brethren, let us beware of contentions which will deliver us over to Satan to be destroyed.
(353) “ Familiam Lot minime fuisse parem verisimile est.” The words are capable of two opposite renderings, according to the different sense in which minime is taken. It may either mean “by no means,” or “at least.” The Old English translation renders it in the former method. “It is very likely that the household of Lot was much less.” The French version adopts the latter meaning. “ Il est bien vraye — semblable que la familie de Lot n’a pas este moindre.” Neither of the versions give a very probable meaning. The context seems almost to demand the translation which the Editor has ventured to prefer. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) The Perizzite.We find mention in the Bible both of Perazites, translated villages, in 1Sa. 6:18, Est. 9:19; and of Perizzites, who are sometimes opposed to the Canaanites, as here and in Gen. 34:30, and sometimes described as one of the tribes settled in Palestine (Exo. 3:8; Exo. 3:17; Jos. 17:15; Jdg. 3:5). They are not mentioned among the races descended from Canaan, and probably were the earlier inhabitants of the country, who, being a pastoral people, possessed of no towns, were not able to make head against the Hamite settlers, but maintained themselves in the open country. Perazite and Perizzite are probably the same word, and both signify lowlander, though finally they were driven to the mountains (Jos. 11:3). As the Canaanites devoted their main strength to a maritime life and trade, they would not attempt to extirpate these natives, but would be content with driving them into the interior. As thus some districts would be occupied by the dominant Canaanites, and others by these aborigines, two such large clans as those of Abram and Lot would find it difficult to discover unoccupied land enough to provide pasture for their cattle. The land must have been very thinly peopled for it to have been possible for them to do this, even when they had arranged to dwell apart.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. A strife between the herd-men “Such disputes were unavoidable in the circumstances . Neither party had any title to the land . Every body availed himself of the best spot for grazing he could find unoccupied . We can easily understand what facilities and temptations this would offer for the strong to overbear the weak . We meet with many incidental notices of such oppression: Gen 21:25; Gen 26:15-22; Exo 2:16-19. ” Murphy . “The germinal divisions of masters ofttimes reveal themselves clearly in the strifes of their servants and dependents . Even the wives are often in open hostility while their husbands are still at peace . Abram teaches us how to observe these symptoms in the right way . ” Lange.
The Canaanite Comp . Gen 12:6.
Perizzite This name, not appearing among the descendants of Canaan in Gen 10:15-17, is supposed to designate some tribe not of Hamite origin . The Hebrew word, which means rustics, or countrymen, may designate them as nomads, or dwellers in the country as distinguished from dwellers in towns and cities . See note on Jos 3:10. They probably occupied the best pastures, and so partly occasioned the strife between Abram and Lot’s herdmen .
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And there was strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle. And the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land.’
Part of the problem is caused by the presence of others, for they must share land with Canaanites and Perizzites. Thus what is available causes tension as each group seeks to look after their own master’s interests. This leads Abram to the only possible decision. They must separate. This dissension cannot be allowed to go on, for if it does it may flare up into something more serious.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
And is it not a serious question, whether the disputes and contentions among the professors of godliness, do not give occasion frequently to the enemy to blaspheme?
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
Ver. 7. And there was a strife between. ] How oft do servants set masters at variance! But the devil is in it, when good folk fall out especially. He is restless himself, and doth what he can to disquiet others. He loves to fish in troubled waters; and well knows out of his “devilish wisdom,” saith St James, that “where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”. Jam 3:15-16 But what was it that made the herdsmen fall out, but penury of pasture? and what bred penury of pasture, but plenty of cattle? Great riches many times breed great brabbles. This the heathen found, and therefore feigned that Mars was the son of Juno, a because Juno is the goddess of riches, which prove the cause of strife and stirs among many.
And the Canaanite and Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
a Natalis Comes.
b Nisi Lyra lyrasset &c.
c Scultet. Annal. Cyprianus inexpiabilem discordiae maculam martyrii sanguine ablui, et passione purgari negat.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
strife. The first step in Lot’s downward course. Note Lot’s six downward steps: Gen 13:7, “strife”; Gen 13:10, “beheld”; Gen 13:11, “chose”: Gen 13:12, “pitched toward”; Gen 14:12, “dwelt in”: Gen 19:1, “sat in its gate”, as a ruler and citizen. See App-10.
Canaanite and Perizzite. See on Gen 12:6. These were the Nephilim. See App-23.
dwelled. Hebrew were dwelling.
then = already. See note on Gen 12:6.
in the land. Occupying it in advance, and spreading later to “the giant cities of Bashan”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a strife: Gen 21:25, Gen 26:20, Exo 2:17, 1Co 3:3, Gal 5:20, Tit 3:3, Jam 3:16, Jam 4:1
Canaanite: Gen 10:19, Gen 12:6, Gen 15:18-21, Gen 34:30, Neh 5:9, Phi 2:14, Phi 2:15, Col 4:5, 1Th 4:12, 1Pe 2:12
dwelled: i.e., They were there when Abram and Lot came to pitch their tents in the land.
Reciprocal: Gen 21:26 – I wot Gen 50:11 – the Canaanites Jos 17:15 – the Perizzites 1Sa 21:7 – herdmen Mat 18:7 – unto Mar 3:25 – General Joh 13:35 – General 1Co 6:6 – brother 1Ti 6:1 – that the Heb 12:14 – Follow
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 13:7. The Canaanite and Perizzite dwelt in the land This made the quarrel, 1st, Very dangerous: if Abram and Lot cannot agree to feed their flocks together, it is well if the common enemy do not come upon them and plunder them both. 2d, Very scandalous: No doubt the eyes of all the neighbours were upon them; because of the singularity of their religion, and the extraordinary sanctity they professed; and notice would soon be taken of this quarrel, and improvement made of it to their reproach by the Canaanites and Perizzites.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the {d} Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
(d) Who seeing their contention, might blaspheme God and destroy them.