Genesis 13:11 Meaning: Lot’s Choice
So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one another.
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
So Lot chose him all the Plain of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
and Lot chooseth for himself the whole circuit of the Jordan; and Lot journeyeth from the east, and they are parted--a man from his companion;
And Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan; and Lot went toward the east. And they separated the one from the other:
Meaning in one sentence
Why did Lot choose the well-watered plain? Genesis 13:11 shows how his choice, based on sight alone, reveals a faith still learning to trust God's promises.
Context
Genesis 13 finds Abram and his nephew Lot returning from Egypt, both wealthy in livestock. Their herdsmen begin to quarrel over grazing land. Rather than let conflict grow, Abram, the elder, offers Lot first pick of the entire land before them. It is a remarkable act of generosity and trust in God's promise. Verse 11 records Lot’s response: he chooses the Jordan plain, well-watered and fertile, and they part ways. The chapter immediately notes that the men of Sodom, living in that plain, were exceedingly wicked. This sets the stage for the consequences of Lot’s choice, which will unfold in chapter 19. The choice itself reveals much about Lot’s priorities and spiritual maturity.
Key Words
The Hebrew verb behind “chose” is bachar, often used when God chooses a people or a king. Here Lot reaches for the land for himself, the little pronoun “lo” is attached to the verb, emphasizing self-interest. He is grabbing what looks best rather than waiting on God. The word for “separated,” parad, appears in a passive form: they are parted. It is not a hostile split, but it is decisive. And the direction “east” (qedem) carries overtones of moving away from the land of promise. Lot’s choice was guided by his eyes, not by faith. The same word for “choose” later describes God choosing Abram’s offspring (Deuteronomy 7:6). Lot chose by sight; God chooses by grace. That difference matters for every decision we face today.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators across traditions read Lot’s choice as a warning. Matthew Henry (Presbyterian) notes that he showed no deference to Abram, taking the best for himself without considering spiritual dangers. Adam Clarke (Methodist) says he trusted the sight of his eyes and ignored the character of the inhabitants. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) points out that Lot disregarded the rights of his senior. Gill (Baptist) observes that the separation was by mutual consent and prevented further strife, but still the choice was driven by material attraction. Christians have used this story to caution against judging by appearances and to emphasize trusting God’s guidance over immediate advantage.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that Lot’s choice was simply a practical decision, he needed water for his flocks, and the Jordan plain was well-watered. In fact, the text emphasizes that Lot chose “for himself” and based solely on what he saw. It also immediately notes the wickedness of Sodom. The narrative frames this as a decision driven by self-interest and sight, ignoring God’s promises and the moral landscape. Lot’s faith was weak; he acted like a man of the world, not a man of God.
Living This Out
This verse asks you: when you face a choice between two good options, what do you look at? Lot looked at the fertility of the land. He did not ask God, nor did he consider the people he would live among. This week, you may face decisions about where to live, which job to take, or how to invest your time. It is easy to be drawn by what looks prosperous or comfortable. But the Christian life calls you to consider more: Will this draw me closer to God? Will it put me among people who help or hinder my faith? Ask God for eyes to see beyond the surface. Pray for wisdom to choose not just what is good, but what is best for your soul and for His kingdom.
Main takeaway: Lot saw a well-watered plain; God saw the wickedness within it. Choose by faith, not by sight.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Lot looked at the pretty green land and wanted it for himself. He didn’t ask God what to do. We can learn to ask God first before we choose.
For ages 9, 12
Lot had a choice: let his uncle pick first, or take the best land for himself. He chose the best-looking land without thinking about the people who lived there. The people of Sodom were very wicked, and later Lot got into big trouble because of his choice. This story teaches us that we should not make decisions based only on what looks good. We need to think about what is right and ask God for wisdom.
Questions People Ask
Why did Abram let Lot choose first?
Abram trusted God’s promise to give him the land, so he could afford to be generous. He also wanted to avoid conflict with his nephew, showing his character as a peacemaker.
What was so bad about Lot’s choice?
Lot chose based on what looked good for his flocks, but he ignored the wickedness of the people living there. The chapter immediately mentions that the men of Sodom were “exceedingly wicked,” foreshadowing disaster.
How does this connect to Sodom and Gomorrah?
Lot’s choice led him to settle near Sodom, which later was destroyed by God because of its great sin. Lot nearly lost everything, only escaping with his life because of God’s mercy.
Was Lot being selfish?
Many commentators think so. He took the best land for himself without considering his uncle Abram, who was older and had been a father figure to him. The Hebrew phrase “for himself” emphasizes his self-interest.
What can we learn from Lot’s mistake?
We learn not to make decisions based only on what we see or what seems profitable. We should seek God’s guidance, consider the spiritual impact, and prioritize faith over material gain.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study