And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.

GENESIS 13:1KJV
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Genesis 13:1 (KJV)

What does Genesis 13:1 mean?

Genesis 13:1 marks Abram’s return from Egypt to the southern part of the land of Canaan. He travels with his wife, his possessions, and his nephew Lot, so the journey involves his household and belongings rather than Abram alone.

The narrator describes the departure after Pharaoh sends Abram away at the end of Genesis 12. The phrase “went up” pictures a journey from Egypt toward higher land; “the south” names the region Abram reaches.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 13:1

  • “up” — עָלָה (ʿalah): This word carries the sense of going up or ascending. Here, the direction fits travel from the lowlands of Egypt toward the higher land to the northeast.
  • “south” — נֶגֶב (negev): This word can mean “south” and can also name the Negev, a dry region in the southern part of Canaan. The KJV’s “the south” points to that region, not simply to a direction of travel.

Why Genesis 13:1 matters

  • Lot remains part of Abram’s traveling group. That detail prepares for the later account of Abram and Lot separating because the land cannot support both groups of livestock together (Genesis 13:5–6).
  • Abram returns with his possessions intact. The words “all that he had” connect with the wealth described in Genesis 13:2 and help explain why the group needs room for its animals.

Where else these words appear

“Lot” Hebrew H3876 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 11:27 Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
  • Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
  • Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

“Abram” Hebrew H87 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 11:26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
  • Genesis 13:4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
  • Genesis 15:3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

“south” Hebrew H5045 · used in 98 verses

  • Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
  • Joshua 15:21 And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur,
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.