Genesis 12:8

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 12:1-9

11:27-15:21 ABRAM’S ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LANDAbram obeys God’s call (11:27-12:9)From the nations of the world God now chose one man through whom he would build a new nation, which, in turn, would be the means of bringing his blessing to the whole world (see 12:2-3). God’s chosen man, Abram (later called Abraham), lived originally in the idolatrous city of Ur in ancient Babylonia. Although others in his family worshipped idols (Joshua 24:2), Abram worshipped the one true God and obeyed him... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 12:8

Beth-el. An ancient Canaanite sacred pillar, doubtless here from previous times, called Luz (Genesis 28:19 ; Genesis 35:6 ; Genesis 48:3 .Joshua 16:2 ; Joshua 18:13 .Judges 1:23; Judges 1:23 ). Compare Judges 1:23 . When Moses wrote he used the later name. altar. Between Beth-el and Ai would probably be Gerizim and Ebal, which were already or thus became sacred places. Compare Deuteronomy 27:2 , Deuteronomy 27:12 and Joshua 8:9 , Joshua 8:30 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 12:6-9

"And Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto Jehovah, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east; and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and called upon the name of Jehovah. And Abram... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 12:8

Genesis 12:8. Removed from thence unto a mountain, &c.— Either for better security from the inhabitants, or with a design of seeing more of the country. Here Abram built an altar (as it was usual on mountains); for, being fit places for contemplation, and, perhaps, by their height seeming to point the mind towards heaven above low earthly views, they were therefore chosen by pious men in ancient times, as altars of devotion raised by the Author of nature; and were approved of by God, till,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 12:1-9

The divine promises 12:1-9"These verses are of fundamental importance for the theology of Genesis, for they serve to bind together the primeval history and the later patriarchal history and look beyond it to the subsequent history of the nation." [Note: Wenham, Genesis 1-15, p. 274.] "Whereas chapters 1-11 generally portray man’s rebellion, chapters 12-50 detail God’s bringing man into a place of blessing." [Note: Ross, "Genesis," p. 25.] ". . . this is the central passage of the Book of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 12:4-9

Abram’s response 12:4-9 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 12:8

Abram proceeded south and encamped between Bethel and Ai (probably et Tell [Note: Peter Briggs, "Testing the Factuality of the Conquest of Ai Narrative in the Book of Joshua," a paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society, Colorado Springs, Col., Nov. 15, 2001.] ) just north of Salem (Jerusalem). Again he built an altar to worship Yahweh and called on His name in worship. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:1-20

The Call of Abraham. The Removal to Canaan. The Visit to Egypt1. Had said] RV ’said,’ when he was in Haran. In what manner the call came to Abraham, whether through some outward incident which he recognised as the prompting of Providence, or through the suggestions of the Divine Spirit in his inmost soul, we do not know. Anyhow he regarded it as divine and authoritative, and it was too definite tobe misunderstood. Get thee out of.. and from.. and from] The repetition emphasises the complete... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:1-34

The History of AbrahamAt this point the specific purpose of the writer of the Pentateuch begins to appear more clearly. Speaking generally, that purpose is to trace the development of the kingdom of God in the line of Israelitish history. To this subject the preceding chapters of Genesis have formed an introduction, dealing with universal history, and indicating the place of Israel among the other nations of the world. The narrative now passes from universal history to the beginnings of the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 12:8

(8) He removed.—Broke up his encampment. No special reason for this need be sought; it was the usual condition of the nomad life, and Abram’s wealth in cattle would make frequent changes necessary. His first long halt was in the hill country between Beth-el and Hai, or rather Ai, as in Joshua 8:1-3. The numerous almond-trees, whence the former town took its early name of Luz, the remains of aqueducts and other works for irrigation, and the strength of the town of Ai in Joshua’s days bear... read more

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