Genesis 12:10-20,Genesis 16:1-16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10

Verse 10 10.And there was a famine in the land. A much more severe temptation is now recorded, by which the faith of Abram is tried to the quick. For he is not only led around through various windings of the country, but is driven into exile, from the land which God had given to him and to his posterity. It is to be observed, that Chaldea was exceedingly fertile; having been, from this cause, accustomed to opulence, he came to Charran, where, it is conjectured, he lived commodiously enough,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:11

Verse 11 11.He said unto Sarai his wife. He now relates the counsel which Abram took for the preservation of his life when he was approaching Egypt. Andy since this place is like a rock, on which many strike; it is proper that we should soberly and reverently consider how far Abram was deserving of excuse, and how he was to be blamed. First, there seems to be something of falsehood, mixed with the dissimulations which he persuades his wife to practice. And although afterwards he makes the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:12

Verse 12 12.Therefore it shall come to pass, that when the Egyptians shall see thee, etc. It may seem that Abram was unjust to the Egyptians, in suspecting evil of them, from whom he had yet received no injury. And, since charity truly is not suspicious; he may appear to deal unfairly, in not only charging them with lust, but also in suspecting them of murder. I answer, that the holy man did, not without reason, fear for himself from that nation, concerning which he had heard many unfavourable... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:15

Verse 15 15.And commended her before Pharaoh (351) Although Abram had sinned by fearing too much and too soon, yet the event teaches, that he had not feared without cause: for his wife was taken from him and brought to the king. At first Moses speaks generally of the Egyptians, afterwards he mentions the courtiers; by which course he intimates, that the rumor of Sara’s beauty was everywhere spread abroad; but that it was more eagerly received by the courtiers who indulge themselves in greater... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

Verse 17 17.And the Lord plagued Pharaoh. If Moses had simply related, that God had punished the king for having committed adultery, it would not so obviously appear that he had taken care of Sarai’s chastity; but when he plainly declares that the house of the king was plagued because of Sarai, Abram’s wife, all doubt is, in my judgment, removed; because God, on behalf of his servant, interposed his mighty hand in time, lest Sarai should be violated. And here we have a remarkable instance of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:18

Verse 18 18.And Pharaoh called Abram. Pharaoh justly expostulates with Abram, who was chiefly in fault. No answer on the part of Abram is here recorded; and perhaps he assented to the just and true reprehension. It is, however, possible that the exculpation was omitted by Moses; whose design was to give an example of the Divine providence in preserving Abram, and vindicating his marriage relation. But, although Abram knew that he was suffering the due punishment of his folly, or of his... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 20 20.And Pharaoh commanded his men. In giving commandment that Abram should have a safe-conduct out of the kingdom, Pharaoh might seem to have done it, for the sake of providing against danger; because Abram had stirred up the odium of the nation against himself, as against one who had brought thither the scourge of God along with him; but as this conjecture has little solidity, I give the more simple interpretation, that leave of departure was granted to Abram with the addition of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-10

The promised land. I. WANDERINGS . Entering Canaan from the north, the Chaldsean emigrant directs his progress steadily towards the south, removing from station to station till he reaches the furthest limit of the land. This wandering life to the patriarch must have been II. TRIALS . Along with ceaseless peregrinations, more or less exacting in their nature, trials of another and severer sort entered into the texture of the patriarch's experience in the promised land. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10

And there was a famine . רָעָב , from a root signifying to hunger, the primary. idea appearing to lie in that of an ample, i.e. empty, stomach (Gesenius, Furst). The term is used of individuals, men or animal ( Psalms 34:11 ; Psalms 50:12 ); or of regions ( Psalms 41:1-13 :55). In the land . Of Canaan, which, though naturally fertile, was, on account of its imperfect cultivation, subject to visitations of dearth (cf. Genesis 26:1 ; Genesis 41:56 ), especially in dry... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10

The descent into Egypt. I. THE STORY OF A GOOD MAN 'S FALL . 1. Experiencing disappointment . Arrived in Canaan, the patriarch must have felt his heart sink as he surveyed its famine-stricken fields and heathen population; in respect of which it was so utterly unlike the fair realm of his imaginings. So God educates his children, destroying their hopes, blighting their, expectations, breaking their ideals, "having provided some better thing for them, some loftier and... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:15

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:18

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:10

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