Genesis 13:10

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the entire plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere—this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וַיִּשָּׂא־ל֣וֹט אֶת־עֵינָ֗יו וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת־כָּל־כִּכַּ֣ר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן כִּ֥י כֻלָּ֖הּ מַשְׁקֶ֑ה לִפְנֵ֣י ׀ שַׁחֵ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה אֶת־סְדֹם֙ וְאֶת־עֲמֹרָ֔ה כְּגַן־יְהוָה֙ כְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בֹּאֲכָ֖ה צֹֽעַר׃

Transliteration

And wayyiśśāʾ-Lôṭ ʿênāyw and wayyarĕʾ all kikkar haYYardēn, that all of it mašqê before šaḥēṯ YHWH Sĕḏōm and ʿĂmōrâ, like gan-YHWH, like ʾereṣ Miṣrayim, as you come to Ṣōʿar.

Grammar Details

• *wayyiśśāʾ-Lôṭ*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular + proper noun - and Lot lifted
• *ʿênāyw*: noun, feminine dual construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix - his eyes
• *wayyarĕʾ*: waw consecutive + qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - and he saw
• *kikkar*: noun, feminine singular construct - plain/circle of
• *haYYardēn*: definite article + proper noun - the Jordan
• *mašqê*: hophal participle, masculine singular - was watered/well-watered
• *šaḥēṯ*: piel infinitive construct - destroying
• *YHWH*: proper noun - the LORD/Yahweh
• *Sĕḏōm*: proper noun - Sodom
• *ʿĂmōrâ*: proper noun - Gomorrah
• *gan-YHWH*: noun, masculine singular construct + proper noun - garden of the LORD
• *ʾereṣ*: noun, feminine singular construct - land of
• *Miṣrayim*: proper noun - Egypt
• *Ṣōʿar*: proper noun - Zoar

Word Meanings

• *wayyiśśāʾ*: lifted up/raised
• *kikkar*: plain/circle/district/valley
• *mašqê*: well-watered/irrigated
• *šaḥēṯ*: destroying/ruining/bringing to ruin
• *gan*: garden/orchard/plantation

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you come to Zoar.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar.

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And Lot lyft vp hys eyes and beheld all the contre aboute Iordane which was a plenteous contre of water every where before the LORde destroyed Sodoma and Gomorra. Even as the garden of the LORde and as the lande of Egipte tyll thou come to Zoar.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  Then Lot lift vp his eyes, and behelde all the countre rounde aboute Iorda, that it was a plenteous countre of water. For before the LORDE destroyed Sodoma and Gomorra, it was rounde aboute Zoar, euen as the pleasaunt garden of the LORDE, and as the londe of Egipte.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  So when Lot lifted vp his eyes, he saw that all the plaine of Iorden was watered euery where: (for before the Lorde destroyed Sodom and Gomorah, it was as the garden of the Lorde, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest vnto Zoar)

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And so Lot lyftyng vp his eyes, behelde all the countrey of Iordane, whiche was well watred euery where before the Lorde destroyed Sodome and Gomorrh, euen as the garden of the Lorde, lyke the lande of Egypt as thou commest vnto Soar.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And Lot lifteth up his eyes, and seeth the whole circuit of the Jordan that it `is' all a watered country (before Jehovah's destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, as Jehovah's garden, as the land of Egypt,) in thy coming toward Zoar,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And Lot, lifting up his eyes and looking an the valley of Jordan, saw that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord had sent destruction on Sodom and Gomorrah; it was like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, on the way to Zoar.

• World English Bible (2000)

  Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Lot looked up and saw the whole region of the Jordan. He noticed that all of it was well-watered(before the LORD obliterated Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, all the way to Zoar.

Referenced Verses

• Deut 34:3 : 3 the Negev and the whole region of the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar.
• Gen 14:8 : 8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim
• Isa 51:3 : 3 For the Lord comforts Zion; He comforts all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.
• Gen 14:2 : 2 that they made war against Bera, king of Sodom, Birsha, king of Gomorrah, Shinab, king of Admah, Shemeber, king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar).
• Joel 2:3 : 3 Before them, fire devours; behind them, flames blaze. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is a desolate wilderness—nothing escapes them.
• Ezek 28:13 : 13 You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every precious stone was your covering: ruby, topaz, and diamond; beryl, onyx, and jasper; sapphire, turquoise, and emerald; and gold. The workmanship of your settings and mountings was prepared for you on the day you were created.
• Num 32:1-9 : 1 The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had a very large amount of livestock. When they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, they noticed that the place was suitable for livestock. 2 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, saying: 3 "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon— 4 this land that the Lord defeated before the congregation of Israel—is a land suitable for livestock, and your servants have livestock." 5 They said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan." 6 But Moses replied to the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben, "Should your brothers go to war while you stay here? 7 Why would you discourage the hearts of the Israelites from crossing into the land that the Lord has given them? 8 This is what your ancestors did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land. 9 They went up to the Valley of Eshcol, saw the land, and discouraged the hearts of the Israelites from entering the land that the Lord had given them. 10 So the Lord’s anger burned that day, and He swore, saying: 11 'None of the men who came up from Egypt, twenty years old and older, will see the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because they have not fully followed Me— 12 except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua son of Nun, for they have fully followed the Lord.' 13 The Lord’s anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation that had done evil in His sight was gone. 14 "Now you have risen in place of your ancestors, a brood of sinful men, to increase still further the fierce anger of the Lord against Israel. 15 If you turn away from following Him, He will abandon them again in the wilderness, and you will bring destruction on all these people." 16 Then they approached him and said, "We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our children. 17 But we will arm ourselves quickly and go before the Israelites until we bring them to their place. Meanwhile our children will stay in fortified cities, safe from the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has received their inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit any land with them beyond the Jordan, because our inheritance is on the east side of the Jordan. 20 Moses said to them, "If you will do this—if you arm yourselves for battle before the Lord, 21 and all your armed men cross over the Jordan before the Lord until He has driven out His enemies from His presence— 22 then the land will be subdued before the Lord, and afterward you may return and be free from obligation to the Lord and Israel. This land will then be your possession before the Lord. 23 But if you do not do this, you will have sinned against the Lord. Be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build cities for your children and pens for your flocks, but do what you have promised. 25 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben said to Moses, "Your servants will do just as my lord commands. 26 Our children, wives, livestock, and all our animals will remain here in the cities of Gilead, 27 but your servants, every armed man of war, will cross over before the Lord to battle, just as my lord says." 28 So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders of the tribes of Israel. 29 Moses said to them, "If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben cross the Jordan with you, every man armed for battle before the Lord, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as a possession. 30 But if they do not cross over armed with you, they must take their possession among you in the land of Canaan." 31 The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, "As the Lord has said to your servants, so we will do. 32 We will cross over armed before the Lord into the land of Canaan, but the possession of our inheritance will be on this side of the Jordan." 33 Then Moses gave to the sons of Gad, the sons of Reuben, and half the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land with its cities and the territories surrounding them. 34 The sons of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, and Aroer— 35 also Atroth-shophan, Jazer, and Jogbehah. 36 They also built Beth-nimrah and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and sheepfolds. 37 The sons of Reuben rebuilt Heshbon, Elealeh, and Kiriathaim— 38 as well as Nebo, Baal-meon (with their names changed), and Sibmah, and they gave new names to the cities they rebuilt. 39 The sons of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. 40 So Moses gave Gilead to Machir son of Manasseh, and he settled there. 41 Jair son of Manasseh went and captured their settlements, and he called them Havvoth-jair. 42 Nobah went and captured Kenath and its surrounding villages, and he called it Nobah after his own name.
• Gen 2:8-9 : 8 The LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He placed the man He had formed. 9 The LORD God caused every tree that is beautiful in appearance and good for food to grow out of the ground, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden. From there it divided and became four rivers.
• 1 Kgs 7:46 : 46 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan.
• Ps 107:34 : 34 and a fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
• Isa 15:5 : 5 My heart cries out for Moab; her fugitives flee to Zoar, like a three-year-old heifer. They go up weeping by the ascent of Luhith. On the way to Horonaim, they raise a cry of destruction.
• Gen 3:6 : 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.
• Gen 6:2 : 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humanity were beautiful, and they took wives for themselves from whomever they chose.
• Gen 19:17-30 : 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!" 18 But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please!" 19 "Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me by sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. 20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared." 21 He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22 But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." (That is why the town was called Zoar.) 23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and the entire plain, and he saw that smoke was rising from the land like smoke from a furnace. 29 So it came to pass when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham and brought Lot out from the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities where Lot had lived. 30 Lot left Zoar and went up into the mountains with his two daughters because he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He lived in a cave with his two daughters.
• Jer 48:34 : 34 The crying of Heshbon resounds to Elealeh and Jahaz, they have raised their voices from Zoar to Horonaim and Eglath-shelishiyah. Even the waters of Nimrim are dried up.
• Ezek 31:8 : 8 The cedars in God's garden could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare to its branches, and the plane trees were not like its boughs. No tree in the garden of God was equal to it in beauty.
• 1 John 2:15-16 : 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. 16 For all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father, but is from the world.