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Genesis 13:14 - Divine promise after separation

Genesis 13:14 - בראשית 13:14

Hebrew Text

וַיהוָה אָמַר אֶל־אַבְרָם אַחֲרֵי הִפָּרֶד־לוֹט מֵעִמּוֹ שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה מִן־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה שָׁם צָפֹנָה וָנֶגְבָּה וָקֵדְמָה וָיָמָּה׃

English Translation

And the Lord said to Avram, after Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thy eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward;

Transliteration

Va'Adonai amar el-Avram acharei hipared-Lot me'imo sa na einecha ure'e min-hamakom asher-atah sham tzafona vanegba vakedma vayama.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַֽיהֹוָ֞ה אָמַ֣ר אֶל־אַבְרָ֗ם אַחֲרֵי֙ הִפָּֽרֶד־ל֣וֹט מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ שָׂ֣א נָ֤א עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ וּרְאֵ֔ה מִן־הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֣ה שָׁ֑ם צָפֹ֥נָה וָנֶ֖גְבָּה וָקֵ֥דְמָה וָיָֽמָּה׃
וַֽיהֹוָ֞ה אָמַ֣ר אֶל־אַבְרָ֗ם אַחֲרֵי֙ הִפָּֽרֶד־ל֣וֹט מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ שָׂ֣א נָ֤א עֵינֶ֙יךָ֙ וּרְאֵ֔ה מִן־הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֣ה שָׁ֑ם צָפֹ֥נָה וָנֶ֖גְבָּה וָקֵ֥דְמָה וָיָֽמָּה׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Context of the Divine Command

This verse (Bereishit 13:14) follows the separation of Avram and Lot, as Lot chose to dwell in the fertile plain of Sodom. Rashi explains that Hashem waited until Lot departed before speaking to Avram to emphasize that as long as the wicked Lot was with him, the Divine Presence could not rest upon Avram. This teaches the principle of distancing oneself from negative influences to attain spiritual clarity.

The Significance of "Lift Up Your Eyes"

The command "שא נא עיניך" ("Lift up now thy eyes") carries deep symbolism. The Kli Yakar notes that physical sight parallels spiritual perception. Avram was instructed to elevate his vision beyond the material world to recognize Hashem's providence in the land. The Sforno adds that this was a promise that his descendants would inherit the land in all directions, reinforcing the covenant.

The Four Directions: North, South, East, West

The listing of the four cardinal directions holds mystical and practical significance:

  • North (צפונה): The Ramban associates this with the future Temple's location (Mount Moriah), hinting at Avram's eventual binding of Yitzchak.
  • South (נגבה): Rashi connects this to the fertile Negev region, showing the land's bounty.
  • East (קדמה): The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 41:17) links this to the sunrise, symbolizing renewal and Avraham's role as a spiritual light to the world.
  • West (ימה): The Netziv interprets this as an allusion to the Mediterranean Sea, marking the western boundary of Eretz Yisrael.

The Timing After Lot's Departure

The Ohr HaChaim highlights that this revelation came specifically "after Lot was separated from him". This teaches that Avram's spiritual potential could only be fully realized once he distanced himself from Lot's morally compromising influence. The separation allowed Avram to become the singular progenitor of the Jewish people, untainted by Lot's association with Sodom.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 32b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the importance of looking towards Jerusalem when praying, drawing a parallel to Avraham being told to look in all directions.
📖 Sotah 34b
The spies sent by Moshe are compared to Avraham in how they were instructed to see the land, referencing this verse to highlight the difference in their missions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did God tell Avram to look in all directions after Lot left?
A: According to Rashi, God showed Avram the entire Land of Israel to reassure him that even though Lot took part of the land, Avram would still inherit it all. This was a promise that his descendants would possess the land in all directions.
Q: What is the significance of God speaking to Avram after Lot separated from him?
A: The Midrash explains that as long as Lot was with Avram, God's presence couldn't fully rest upon Avram because Lot was involved in improper behavior. Once they separated, God could give Avram this special prophecy and blessing about the land.
Q: Why does the verse mention all four directions (north, south, east, west)?
A: The Ramban teaches that mentioning all four directions emphasizes the completeness of God's promise - that Avram's descendants would inherit the land in its entirety, without any limitations or exclusions in any direction.
Q: What lesson can we learn from God telling Avram to 'lift up your eyes'?
A: The Sforno explains this teaches us that spiritual vision requires effort - we must 'lift our eyes' from mundane matters to properly perceive God's blessings and promises in our lives, just as Avram had to physically look up to see his inheritance.
Q: How does this promise to Avram affect Jewish people today?
A: This verse establishes the eternal Jewish connection to the Land of Israel. As Maimonides writes, this promise applies to all generations, and the land remains the eternal inheritance of the Jewish people as descendants of Avraham.