John Calvin Commentary Genesis 13:10

"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." — Genesis 13:10 (ASV)

And Lot lifted up his eyes. Just as Abram's equity was worthy of considerable praise, so Lot's inconsideration, which Moses describes here, deserves censure. He ought rather to have contended with his uncle for the distinction of modesty, and the very order of nature suggested this. But, just as if he had been the superior in every respect, he usurps the better portion for himself and chooses the region that seemed more fertile and agreeable.

And indeed, it necessarily follows that whoever is too eagerly focused on their own advantage lacks humanity towards others. There can be no doubt that this injustice would have pierced Abram's mind, but he silently endured it, lest he should, by any means, give occasion for new offense.

And this is how we ought to act entirely, whenever we perceive that those with whom we are connected are not sufficiently mindful of their duty; otherwise, there will be no end to disturbances.

When the neighboring plain of Sodom is compared to the paradise of God, many interpreters explain this as simply meaning that it was excellent and extremely fertile, because the Hebrews call anything excellent, divine.

However, I think that the place where Adam resided at the beginning is indicated. For Moses does not propose a general comparison, but says, that region was watered; just as he related the same thing concerning the first dwelling place of man—namely, that a river, divided into four parts, watered it. He also adds the same thing concerning a part of Egypt.

From this, it appears more clearly that this place is compared with two others in only one particular.