Keraia
Genesis 12

Genesis 12:2

The Call of Abram · Genesis 12:1–9
Read Genesis 12

Translations

Modern
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Traditional
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Literal
And I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you and I will make great your name, and you shall be a blessing.
Latin
Faciamque te in gentem magnam, et benedicam tibi, et magnificabo nomen tuum, erisque benedictus.

Original

Hebrew
English
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Notes

Genesis 12:2

  • make your name great: Abram gained the fame that the builders of the tower of Babel wanted for themselves (see 11:4 and study note).

  • so that you will be a blessing: This statement is a command and a promise in Hebrew. It depends on Abram obeying God's command (12:1–3): “Go … so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.”

Genesis 12:1–3

These verses are structured around two commands to Abram: Leave and be a blessing (see study note on 12:2). Each command is followed by three promises conditioned upon obedience.

Genesis 12:1–9

  • Through Abram's faith and family, God started to restore the blessing. God called Abram from a pagan world to start a new nation. His promises to Abram later became a covenant (chapter 15).

  • God's calling of Abram later helped convince the Israelites to leave Egypt and go to the land God promised to Abram. It also reminded the Babylonian exiles of their need to return to their own land (for example, Isaiah 51).

Events

Parallels

Genesis 26:1–5 Acts 7:1–8

Glossary

Abraham Ben-Ammi Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Circumcision Covenant Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Gospel of Matthew Grace Hagar Haran (Place) History of Israel Inheritance Isaiah, Book of Ishmael Jacob’s Ladder Land Leah Malachi, Book of Midian, Midianite Monotheism Moses Nations Patriarchs, Period of the Promise Sarah

Topics

Abraham: Divine Call of Call: To Special Religious Duty of Abraham Canaan: Land of Promised to Abraham and his Seed Communion: Abraham Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Abraham, in Leaving his Fatherland Covenant: Abraham Faith: Abraham, in Forsaking the Land of his Nativity at the Command of God Faith: Trial of Abraham, when Commanded to Leave his Native Land and to Go where he did not Know God: Special Grace: To Abraham Haran: Also Called Charran: Abraham Leaves, by Divine Command Obedience to God: Abram Obedience: Abraham Promotion: Abraham Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abraham The Canaanites: Abraham: Called to Dwell Amongst The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Abraham The Jews: Their National Greatness