Genesis 12:7-20

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 12:6-9

Revelations. We here enter upon the more special history of Divine appearances. Hitherto the word is described simply as a word—"The Lord said;" now we connect with the word distinct appearances. The plain of Moreh will be ever memorable as the first scene of such revelations. The altar which Abram erected was to the Lord who appeared unto him, i.e. in commemoration of the vision. Thus the long line of theophanies commences. The great lesson of this record is the worship of man... 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 12:7

And the Lord appeared . The first mention of a theophany, though Acts 7:2 alleges that such a Divine manifestation had previously occurred in Ur of the Chaldees. Though not a direct vision of Jehovah ( John 1:18 ), that there was some kind of outward appearance may be inferred from the subsequent Divine manifestations to the patriarch ( Genesis 18:2 , Genesis 18:17 , Genesis 18:33 ; Genesis 22:11-18 ), to Hagar ( Genesis 16:7-14 ; Genesis 21:17 , Genesis 21:18 ), and to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

Abraham worshipping. "And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." Abraham is at length Divinely informed that he is in the land hereafter to be his. He was at the spot where the great temple, to be set up by his descendants, would stand. Here he builds an altar. It was doubtless a very plain altar of rough stones, but large enough for the sacrifices to be offered. It would have little attraction in the eyes of many, but it would be approved of by God. I. IT ... read more

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 12:6-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

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