Genesis 12:3. In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed This promise crowned all the rest; for it pointed at the Messiah, “in whom all the promises are yea and amen.” Now, with what astonishing exactness has God fulfilled these promises, and yet how unlikely it was, at the time they were made, that they should be fulfilled! Surely we need no other proof that the historian wrote by inspiration of God! read more
Genesis 12:4. So Abram departed He was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. His obedience was speedy and without delay, submissive and without dispute. So should ours be to him who says, “Deny thyself, take up thy cross, and follow me.” read more
Genesis 12:5. They took with them the souls that they had gotten That is, the proselytes they had made, and persuaded to worship the true God, and to go with them to Canaan; the souls which (as one of the rabbis expresseth it) they had “gathered under the wings of the Divine Majesty.” read more
Genesis 12:6. The Canaanite was then in the land He found the country possessed by Canaanites, who were likely to be but bad neighbours; and for aught appears, he could not have ground to pitch his tent on but by their permission. read more
Genesis 12:7. And the Lord appeared to Abram Probably in a vision, and spoke to him comfortable words: Unto thy seed will I give this land No place or condition can shut us out from God’s gracious visits. Abram is a sojourner, unsettled, among Canaanites, and yet here also he meets with him that lives, and sees him. Enemies may part us and our tents, us and our altars, but not us and our God. read more
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
LORD = Jehovah, "The God of Glory" of Acts 7:2 , Figure of speech Enallage = The Glorious God, in contrast with idols (Joshua 24:2 ). Get thee out = Go for thyself, i.e. whatever others may do. Death had broken the link of nature's tie, which hindered Abram's obedience. kindred. Leaving Nahor and his family (except Lot), Genesis 24:4 , Genesis 24:10-15 ; Genesis 25:20 ; Genesis 28:7-10 . shew. See Hebrews 11:8 . read more
And. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ). I will. Note this sevenfold promise with the sevenfold blessing in Exodus 6:4-8 ( App-10 ). read more
thee. To Abraham personally. See note on Genesis 50:24 . read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 12:2
Genesis 12:2. I will make of thee a great nation When God took him from his own people, he promised to make him the head of another people. This promise was both a great relief to Abram’s burden, for he had now no child, and a great trial to Abram’s faith, for his wife had been long barren; so that if he believe, it must be against hope, and his faith must build purely upon that power which “can out of stones raise up children unto Abraham.” I will bless thee Either particularly with the... read more