An alternative

“In Abram, then, readers glimpse a clear alternative to Cain. They encounter someone who, at least on these occasions, responds to anger by doing what is good, serving as a ‘keeper' (שמר) [ShMR] for his nephew Lot. There are, of course, shortcomings to the ways that Abram provides for Lot. Most notably, the two have separated, and they never live together again. What community the “brothers” once had has been lost. Genesis makes clear that, even for a figure like Abram, the limitations of this world often disallow brothers’ living together, no matter how good and pleasing that sort of unity may be.”—From Fratricide to Forgiveness, pages 146-147