Bible Commentary

And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, [having] Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. 8. Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east ] … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:8”

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. 7. And the Lord appeared ] The first mention of a Theophany in the patriarchal narrative. What form it took, and in what way it was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:7”

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land. 6. the place of Shechem ] The word “place” is here probably used in the special sense of “sacred place” or “shrine,” as also possibly in Gen 22:4, Gen 28:11; Gen … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:6”

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. 5. substance ] or goods. A characteristic word … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:5”

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. Gen 12:4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him Abrahams obedience I. AT FIRST, ABRAHAMS OBEDIENCE WAS ONLY PARTIAL (Gen 11:31). It becomes … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:4”

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. 3. and I will bless, &c.] The blessing which Abram receives from God is to be a source of good to his friends and of evil to his foes. Observe … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:3”

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: 2. The promise, (1) of national greatness, (2) of personal privilege, embraces a double relation, to the world and to the individual. a great nation ] This thought stands in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:2”

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: 1. Now the lord said ] Lit. “and Jehovah said.” The narrative opens with characteristic simplicity, and with the abruptness possibly indicating its selection from … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 12:1”

And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran. 32. two hundred and five years ] For this figure the Samaritan version gives 145, obviously in order to make the year of Abram’s departure from Haran (when Abram was 75 years old; see Gen 12:4) coincide with the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 11:32”

And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. 31, 32. The Migration of Terah … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 11:31”