Keraia
Genesis 12

Genesis 12:4

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

Translations

Modern
So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
Traditional
So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
Literal
And Abram departed as YHWH had spoken to him, and Lot departed with him. And Abram was a son of five years and seventy years when he went out from Haran.
Latin
Egressus est itaque Abram sicut præceperat ei Dominus, et ivit cum eo Lot: septuaginta quinque annorum erat Abram cum egrederetur de Haran.

Original

Hebrew
English
So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Notes

Genesis 12:4

Abram was middle-aged, settled, wealthy, and of high social status. He worshiped many gods (see study note on 11:27–32). When the Lord spoke to him (12:1–3), he obediently left his old ways in Ur to follow God's plan. Because Abram responded in faith, God could confirm his promises (12:2–3) in a binding covenant (15:8–21).

Genesis 12:4–9

Abram obeyed God's calling and followed his commands (see study note on 12:1–3). He traveled to Canaan (12:4–6) and became a blessing (12:5–9).

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

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Lot: Abraham's nephew; rescued from Sodom's destruction

Places

Haran: A city in Mesopotamia, associated with Abraham and his family

Glossary

Ben-Ammi Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hagar Haran (Place) History of Israel Jacob’s Ladder Monotheism Nations Patriarchs, Period of the Promise Sarah Terah (Person)

Topics

Abraham: Age of, at Different Periods Abraham: And Canaan Canaan: Land of Promised to Abraham and his Seed Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Abraham, in Leaving his Fatherland 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 Haran: Also Called Charran: A Place in Mesopotamia to Which Terah and Abraham Migrated Haran: Also Called Charran: Abraham Leaves, by Divine Command Lot: The Son of Haran: Migrates with Abraham to the Land of Canaan Obedience to God: Abram Obedience: Abraham Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abraham The Canaanites: Abraham: Called to Dwell Amongst