In the preceding aliyah, when Sarai and Avrom were released from Egypt with riches, Avrom's nephew Lot was with them and he also became rich because of his association with Avrom. In this, the third aliyah, they return to Canaan, and find it difficult for their two large herds of cattle to get along together, near each other. Lot departs and goes to the vicinity of the cities of Sodom and Amorrah.
When Lot separates from Avrom, G-d speaks to Avrom and blesses him that his descendants shall be as numerous and uncountable as the dust of the earth.