Keraia
Genesis 12

Genesis 12:5

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

Translations

Modern
And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,
Traditional
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Literal
And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot, son of his brother, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the souls whom they had made in Haran, and they went out to go to the land of Canaan. And they came to the land of Canaan.
Latin
Tulitque Sarai uxorem suam, et Lot filium fratris sui, universamque substantiam quam possederant, et animas quas fecerant in Haran: et egressi sunt ut irent in terram Chanaan. Cumque venissent in eam,

Original

Hebrew
English
And Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran, and set out for the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

Notes

Genesis 12:5

The people (Hebrew hannepesh, meaning "the lives") he brought into his household were probably converts. Abram first became a blessing by influencing his household to follow the Lord.

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 Sarah: Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac

Places

Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Haran: A city in Mesopotamia, associated with Abraham and his family

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Canaan, Canaanite Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hagar History of Israel Jacob’s Ladder Monotheism Nations Patriarchs, Period of the Promise Sarah

Topics

Abraham: And Canaan Canaan: Land of Promised to Abraham and his Seed Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Abraham, in Leaving his Fatherland Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Haran: Also Called Charran: A Place in Mesopotamia to Which Terah and Abraham Migrated Haran: Also Called Charran: Abraham Leaves, by Divine Command Prayer by Abraham Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abraham Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Wife of Abraham Social and Family Prayer: Abram The Canaanites: Abraham: Called to Dwell Amongst