Keraia
Genesis 12

Genesis 12:7

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

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Traditional
And the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him.
Literal
And YHWH appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I will give this land.” And he built there an altar to YHWH, who had appeared to him.
Latin
Apparuit autem Dominus Abram, et dixit ei: Semini tuo dabo terram hanc. Qui ædificavit ibi altare Domino, qui apparuerat ei.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Notes

Genesis 12:7

  • the LORD appeared to Abram at Shechem (12:6) to confirm that this was the promised land. Israel was meant to live in this land, but they needed faith to share in God's promises (compare Numbers 14; Joshua 1:6–9).

  • to your offspring: Abram did not own the land yet. He lived there as a temporary settler.

Genesis 12:6–7

  • the Oak of Moreh: This was probably a Canaanite shrine. Fertile groves were sacred to the Canaanites (compare Isaiah 1:29), and Moreh means "teacher."

    Abram proclaimed the Lord's name beside a pagan place of worship and instruction (Genesis 12:8).

  • Abram continued to be a blessing by building an altar to worship God at Shechem and east of Bethel (12:8).

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

Glossary

Abraham Altar Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hagar History of Israel Jacob’s Ladder Jacob’s Well Jeroboam Land Monotheism Mount Gerizim Nations Patriarchs, Period of the Promise Sarah Shechem (Place)

Topics

Abraham: Canaan Given To Abraham: Piety of Altar: Built by Abraham Altars of Abraham Canaan: Land of Promised to Abraham and his Seed Canaanites: Given to the Israelites Children of the Righteous, Blessed of God Children: Share Benefits of Covenant Privileges Guaranteed to Parents Communion: Abraham Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Abraham, in Leaving his Fatherland Faith: Believing the Promise of Many Descendants Family: Religion of The Holy Land: Promised to Abraham Patriarchal Government: Exercised in Acting As Priests Promised Land Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Abraham Thankfulness: To God of Abraham The Land of Israel The Promises of God: Made to Abraham Worship of Abraham