Devine Scripture

Genesis 13:18

What does Genesis 13:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 13:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 13:18 means

In response to God's renewed promises and command, Abram moved his tent and settled by the oaks of Mamre, near Hebron. Significantly, he built an altar there to the Lord. This act of constructing an altar demonstrated his worship, gratitude, and renewed commitment to God in yet another location within the promised land. It was a visible sign of his faith and dependence, marking the place where he continued to call upon the name of the Lord after the significant events of the separation and God's renewed covenant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Abram, moving his tent, came and made his living-place by the holy tree of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and made an altar there to the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abram tenteth, and cometh, and dwelleth among the oaks of Mamre, which <FI>are<Fi> in Hebron, and buildeth there an altar to Jehovah.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So Abram removing his tent, came, and dwelt by the vale of Mambre, which is in Hebron: and he built there an altar to the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then Abram moved [his] tents, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron. And he built there an altar to Jehovah.

Context

This final verse of the chapter shows Abram's obedient response to God's command in verse 17 to walk through the land. His movement to Mamre in Hebron and, particularly, the building of an altar, concludes the chapter by highlighting Abram's continued pattern of worship and faith. This act solidifies his claim to the land and his devotion to God after his separation from Lot and the reaffirmation of God's covenant promises.

v.17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it.

v.18This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 16:8

    I have set Jehovah always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

  • 1 Timothy 2:8

    I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.

  • Genesis 35:27

    And Jacob came unto Isaac his father to Mamre, to Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

  • Genesis 37:14

    And he said to him, Go now, see whether it is well with thy brethren, and well with the flock; and bring me word again. So he sent him out of the vale of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.

  • Genesis 18:1

    And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

  • Genesis 23:2

    And Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her.

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