Genesis 12:7-20

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 12:5-10

Abram, the Tent Dweller Genesis 12:5-10 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The outstanding characteristic in Abram was his pilgrim nature. Perhaps it would be better to say, "nature by grace," inasmuch as Abram became a pilgrim through faith. 1. "Abram * * departed out of Haran" (Genesis 12:4 ). 2. "Abram * * went forth to go into the land of Canaan" (Genesis 12:5 ). 3. "Abram passed through the land" (Genesis 12:6 ). 4. "Abram * * removed from thence" (Genesis 12:8 ). 5. "Abram journeyed, going * *... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 12:7-9

Faith as Exemplified in Abraham Genesis 12:1-4 , Genesis 12:7-9 ; Genesis 13:14-18 INTRODUCTORY WORDS 1. Does God still speak to men as He spoke to Abraham? Our Scripture opens with the statement, "Now the Lord had said unto Abram * *." If the Lord said something to Abraham, may He not also say something to us? Does the Lord still guide men into His perfect will? The Lord said unto Abraham, "Get thee * * unto a land that I will shew thee." The Lord, therefore, undertook to guide Abraham... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10

A FATEFUL JOURNEY‘Abram went down into Egypt.’ Genesis 12:10 I. Egypt was to Abraham, to the Jewish people, to the whole course of the Old Testament, what the world with all its interests and pursuits and enjoyments is to us.—It was the parent of civilisation, of learning, of royal power, of vast armies. From first to last this marvellous country, with all its manifold interests, is regarded as the home and refuge of the chosen race. By the stress laid on Egypt the Bible tells us that we may... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:7

‘And Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to Yahweh who appeared to him.’ This is the first theophany (awesome experience of God) received by Abram in the land. It confirms that he has now arrived at the place to which God has sent him. This land is the land promised to him, the land that God would show him (Genesis 12:1). This is a postscript to the earlier covenant. This also confirms our above view about the mention of the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:8

‘And he removed from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel (‘house of God’), and pitched his tent, having Bethel to the West and Ai to the East. And there he built an altar to Yahweh and called on the name of Yahweh.’ Abram is surveying the land and finding places for his herds and flocks to feed. But wherever he goes he does not forget the public worship of God. “Called on the name of Yahweh”. A technical term for Yahweh worship (see Genesis 4:26). Abram is announcing to his family... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:9

‘And Abram journeyed going on still towards the Negev.’ The Negev was the Southern highland, sloping southward between Hebron and Beer-sheba, the southernmost part of Canaan, and very suitable for grazing. Abram has now passed through the whole land, surveying it in Yahweh’s name, and seeking pasture. It is his new home. Archaeology testifies to the occupancy of this area by peoples similar to Abram around this time. The route taken by Abram also fits in with what we know of such people from... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10

Adventure in Egypt, Increasing Wealth, Separation from Lot, God Confirms His Covenant (Genesis 12:10 to Genesis 13:18 ). This section is to be seen as a whole leading up to the final covenant (Genesis 13:14-17). It reveals God’s watch over Abram in all circumstances, and stresses that Yahweh’s power reaches even into Egypt. Pharaoh was believed to be the earthly manifestation of a god, but he is shown as having no protection against Yahweh. The account helps to explain how Abram and Lot... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:11-13

‘And it happened that when he was on the verge of entering Egypt he said to Sarai his wife, “Look now, I know that you are a very beautiful woman. And when the Egyptians see you they will say ‘this is his wife’, and they will kill me and save you alive. I beg you, say you are my sister so that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you’.” ’ Sarai’s beauty must have been exceptionally outstanding for Abram to have this fear, for he would have had his retainers... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:14-15

‘And it happened that when Abram had arrived in Egypt the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful, and the princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house.’ The description fits well with what would be expected to happen in a case like this. It bears all the marks of genuineness. First the Egyptians in general begin to praise her beauty, and the word gets around. Then the princes of Pharaoh, always eager to win his favour, would hear... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:16

‘And he treated Abram well for her sake, and he had sheep and oxen and he asses, and menservants and maidservants, and she asses and camels.’ Great kings were often not ungenerous when a beautiful woman was involved. Here he was dispensing favours, and the courtiers would be well instructed in the matter. These gifts were of course supplied by Pharaohs’ princes on his behalf. Pharaoh himself would not get involved in such a matter until the woman was presented to him. The gifts show that Abram... read more

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 12:5-10

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 12:7-9

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:7

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:8

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:9

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:11-13

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:14-15

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:16

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands