Keraia
Genesis 12

Genesis 12:3

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

Translations

Modern
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Traditional
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Literal
And I will bless those blessing you, and him who curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Latin
Benedicam benedicentibus tibi, et maledicam maledicentibus tibi, atque in te benedicentur universæ cognationes terræ.

Original

Hebrew
English
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

Notes

Genesis 12:3

  • Because Abram obeyed the command to be a blessing (12:2), God gave him three more promises.

  • those who curse you: People who ignored Abram and his covenant were rejecting God's choice and plan.

  • all the families on earth will be blessed: By faith, they could join the covenant God was making with Abram. The blessing spread worldwide through Abraham, Israel, the covenants, the prophets, Scripture, and the Messiah (Galatians 3:8, 16; compare Romans 9:4–5).

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

Topics

Abraham: Divine Call of Betrayal Breaking Curses Call: To Special Religious Duty of Abraham Canaan: Land of Promised to Abraham and his Seed Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of 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 Generational Curses Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Haran: Also Called Charran: Abraham Leaves, by Divine Command Jesus, the Christ: Incarnation of Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning the Coming of Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Jesus, the Christ: Saviour Obedience to God: Abram Obedience: Abraham Prophecy: Old Testament Messianic Passages Quoted in the New Testament Rebuking Evil Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abraham Salvation: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Blessed: Who Favour Saints The Canaanites: Abraham: Called to Dwell Amongst The Heathen: Salvation of, Foretold The Jews: Blessedness of Favouring The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Abraham The Land of Israel The Promises of God: Made to Abraham Wishing