complete verse (Genesis 13:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 13:7:

  • Kankanaey: “And that was the cause-of-quarrelling between those whom the two of them caused-to-pasture-(their animals). There were also Canaaneo and Perezeo who inhabited there.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “There was also discord among the shepherds of Abram and Lot. At that time the Cananites and Perizzites were also living there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Because of this, the ones-who-watched their livestock fought-with-each-other. (At that time the Canaanhon and Periznon were- still -living on that land.)” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Furthermore, the descendants of Canaan and Perizzi were also living in that area, and the land really belonged to them. And the men who took care of Abram’s animals started quarreling with the men who took care of Lot’s animals.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 13:7

It is evident that the large number of animals is the primary cause for the separation of Abram and Lot. Verse 7 adds a consequent reason, namely, that the herdsmen of Abram and Lot were quarreling.

And there was strife: strife refers to “quarrels,” “arguments,” “disputes,” “exchanges of angry words.” For similar quarrels between herdsmen see 26.19-22. The Revised Standard Version wording correctly suggests in English that this was not one isolated dispute, but that there was a situation of continuous angry dispute. One translation says “The men who looked after Abram’s animals and the men who looked after Lot’s animals were having a row with each other all the time.” Another says “… were continuously arguing with each other.” Another, which understands that the quarrels extended beyond just words, has “Abram’s stockmen and Lot’s stockmen began to fight each other.”

Between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle: herdsmen translates Hebrew “those pasturing … livestock.” In many language areas there are domestic animals without herdsmen to tend them. In such cases it is common to translate herdsmen with a descriptive phrase such as Hebrew uses here. For example, “The men who took care of Abram’s animals,” “… who fed Abram’s animals,” “… who guarded and tended Abram’s animals.” Cattle is the same term used in Gen 13.2.

At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites dwelt in the land is printed in Good News Translation and others as an editorial comment by placing it between parentheses. For a similar comment see 12.6. At that time refers to the time when the conflict arose between Abram and Lot. If it is necessary to say more, we may say, for example, “When these arguments happened…” or “At the time of this strife….” For Canaanites see 12.6. Perizzites are mentioned more than twenty times in the Old Testament, and they are associated with the Canaanites four times. However, nothing else is known definitely about them. Dwelt in the land means that these people were settled in Canaan and lived there.

Some translators may find it necessary to reorder the clauses of verse 6 and 7 and, if so, Bible en français courant may offer a model. It says:

• Because of the large number of people and animals, the area was not big enough for them all to remain there together. In addition the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the country. There was a dispute between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen.

Verse 8 then follows with “So Abram said to Lot….” This reordering has the advantage of incorporating the editorial comment into the story line, and it makes a smoother transition between the end of verse 7 and the beginning of Gen 13.8. If this model is followed, verse numbers 6 and 7 should be placed together before the combined verses.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .