Genesis 12:1-20 ESV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:6

The plain of Moreh - אלון elon should be translated oak, not plain; the Septuagint translate την δρυν την ὑψηλην , the lofty oak; and it is likely the place was remarkable for a grove of those trees, or for one of a stupendous height and bulk. The Canaanite was then in the land - This is thought to be an interpolation, because it is supposed that these words must have been written after the Canaanites were expelled from the land by the Israelites under Joshua; but this by no means... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:7

The Lord appeared - In what way this appearance was made we know not; it was probably by the great angel of the covenant, Jesus the Christ. The appearance, whatsoever it was, perfectly satisfied Abram, and proved itself to be supernatural and Divine. It is worthy of remark that Abram is the first man to whom God is said to have shown himself or appeared: In Ur of the Chaldees, Acts 7:2 ; and 2. At the oak of Moreh, as in this verse. As מורה Moreh signifies a teacher, probably this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:8

Beth-el - The place which was afterwards called Beth-el by Jacob, for its first name was Luz. See Genesis 28:19 . אל בית beith El literally signifies the house of God. And pitched his tent - and - builded an altar unto the Lord - Where Abram has a tent, there God must have an Altar, as he well knows there is no safety but under the Divine protection. How few who build houses ever think on the propriety and necessity of building an altar to their Maker! The house in which the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10

There was a famine in the land - Of Canaan. This is the first famine on record, and it prevailed in the most fertile land then under the sun; and why? God made it desolate for the wickedness of those who dwelt in it. Went down into Egypt - He felt himself a stranger and a pilgrim, and by his unsettled state was kept in mind of the city that hath foundations that are permanent and stable, whose builder is the living God. See Hebrews 11:8 , Hebrews 11:9 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:11

Thou art a fair woman to look upon - Widely differing in her complexion from the swarthy Egyptians, and consequently more likely to be coveted by them. It appears that Abram supposed they would not scruple to take away the life of the husband in order to have the undisturbed possession of the wife. The age of Sarai at this time is not well agreed on by commentators, some making her ninety, while others make her only sixty-five. From Genesis 17:17 , we learn that Sarai was ten years younger... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:13

Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister - Abram did not wish his wife to tell a falsehood, but he wished her to suppress a part of the truth. From Genesis 20:12 , it is evident she was his step-sister, i.e., his sister by his father, but by a different mother. Some suppose Sarai was the daughter of Haran, and consequently the grand-daughter of Terah: this opinion seems to be founded on Genesis 11:29 , where Iscah is thought to be the same with Sarai, but the supposition has not a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:15

The woman was taken into Pharaoh's house - Pharaoh appears to have been the common appellative of the Cuthite shepherd kings of Egypt, who had conquered this land, as is conjectured, about seventy-two years before this time. The word is supposed to signify king in the ancient Egyptian language. If the meaning be sought in the Hebrew, the root פרע para signifies to be free or disengaged, a name which such freebooters as the Cuthite shepherds might naturally assume. All the kings of Egypt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:16

He had sheep, and oxen, etc. - As some of these terms are liable to be confounded, and as they frequently occur, especially in the Pentateuch, it may be necessary to consider and fix their meaning in this place. Sheep; צאן tson , from tsaan , to be plentiful or abundant; a proper term for the eastern sheep, which almost constantly bring forth twins, Song of Solomon 4:2 , and sometimes three and even four at a birth. Hence their great fruitfulness is often alluded to in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

The Lord plagued Pharaoh - What these plagues were we know not. In the parallel case, Genesis 20:18 , all the females in the family of Abimelech, who had taken Sarah in nearly the same way, were made barren; possibly this might have been the case here; yet much more seems to be signified by the expression great plagues. Whatever these plagues were, it is evident they were understood by Pharaoh as proofs of the disapprobation of God; and, consequently, even at this time in Egypt there was... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:20

Commanded his men concerning him - Gave particular and strict orders to afford Abram and his family every accommodation for their journey; for having received a great increase of cattle and servants, it was necessary that he should have the favor of the king, and his permission to remove from Egypt with so large a property; hence, a particular charge is given to the officers of Pharaoh to treat him with respect, and to assist him in his intended departure. The weighty and important... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:20

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