Genesis 13:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

After witnessing such humility from Abraham, Lot, as his nephew, ought to have shown respect to the patriarch by granting him, rather than claiming for himself, the privilege of choosing freely. It is a common tendency among us, as human beings, that when we perceive adversaries attempting to engage us in contention over something, striving to assert their dominance, we resist the temptation to accept degradation, refusing to concede. However, when we observe them relenting, offering us heartfelt expressions that provide us full freedom, we often feel a semblance of shame in light of their profound humility, leading us to cease our disputes and surrender authority to them, even if, in our eyes, they seem lesser. This is the response Lot should have exhibited towards his uncle; yet, as a young man driven by the desire for more, he quickly seeks out what appeared to be the most advantageous position, making his own selection instead.

Even though God had assured Abram of that territory (Gen. 12:7), He permitted Lot (Gen. 13:9) to select for himself the region near the Jordan, specifically the entire area of Sodom, through which the Jordan River ran.

Pride is a companion to those who deviate from the truth. Just as Abraham displayed humility in granting the choice to another, Lot exhibited arrogance by claiming that choice for himself: righteousness is brought low, while wickedness is lifted high. Lot ought to have placed his trust in the one who was more experienced to steer clear of peril. Ultimately, he chose poorly. He first raised his gaze and examined the land, focusing on what is not primary but rather secondary, that is, the last.

He observed the entire plain of the Jordan, fully irrigated, before the Lord brought destruction upon Sodom and Gomorrah, resembling the Lord's garden and the land of Egypt, extending all the way to Zoar. When one reads these verses in the sequence presented in the Hebrew text, it might seem that the location of Zoar should be in Egypt; however, this city is close to Sodom and was named by Lot (Genesis 19:22). Some have resolved this ambiguity through the Syriac translation, which refers to it as Tzoan rather than Tzoar, linking it to Tanis. Nonetheless, even based on the Hebrew text, which is supported by the Samaritan and Greek versions, the issue can be clarified by connecting the phrase "even to Tzoar" with the plain of the Jordan. Such rearrangement of terms is consistent with features of the Hebrew language (Hab. 24:20).