Genesis 12:1

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now Adonai said to Avram, “Get yourself out of your country, away from your kinsmen and away from your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.

American Standard Version:

Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now the LORD{H3068} had said{H559} unto Abram{H87}, Get thee out{H3212} of thy country{H776}, and from thy kindred{H4138}, and from thy father's{H1} house{H1004}, unto a land{H776} that I will shew{H7200} thee:

Cross-References (KJV):

Hebrews 11:8

  • By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

Nehemiah 9:7

  • Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Acts 7:2

  • And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,

Acts 7:6

  • And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat [them] evil four hundred years.

Isaiah 51:2

  • Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.

Joshua 24:2

  • And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, [even] Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.

Joshua 24:3

  • And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood, and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac.

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Commentary for Genesis 12:1

Genesis 12:1 is a pivotal verse in the Bible, marking the beginning of the patriarchal narratives and the story of God's covenant with the Israelites. The historical context of this verse is set in the ancient Near East, during a time when societies were largely nomadic or beginning to form early city-states.

The themes presented in this verse include:

1. **Divine Call and Guidance**: God directly calls Abram (later named Abraham) to leave his familiar surroundings and embark on a journey to an unknown destination. This act of faith in response to God's command is a central theme in Abraham's life and becomes a model for future generations.

2. **Promise and Covenant**: This call is part of a larger promise made by God to Abram, which includes the promise of a great nation, land, and blessings (Genesis 12:2-3). The covenant motif is central to the Hebrew Bible, and Abraham's faith and obedience are foundational to this divine promise.

3. **Faith and Obedience**: Abram's willingness to leave his home and venture into the unknown is an act of trust in God. His obedience is seen as an example of faith, which is later emphasized in the New Testament (Hebrews 11:8-10, Romans 4).

4. **Migration and New Beginnings**: The verse reflects a theme of migration, which is common in the biblical narrative. It symbolizes a break from the past and the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between God and humanity.

5. **Separation for Purpose**: Abram is called to separate himself from his family and cultural ties, suggesting a theme of chosenness and divine election. This separation is necessary for Abram to fulfill his role in God's plan for the world.

6. **The Promised Land**: The concept of a "land that I will show thee" introduces the theme of the Promised Land, which becomes a central feature in the identity of the Israelite people and their descendants.

In summary, Genesis 12:1 encapsulates key biblical themes such as divine calling, promise, faith, migration, and the notion of a chosen people bound for a divinely appointed land. It sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of God's covenantal relationship with Israel and, by extension, with all who follow in the faith of Abraham.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H3068
    There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יְהֹוָה
    Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
    Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
    Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
  2. Strong's Number: H559
    There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָמַר
    Transliteration: ʼâmar
    Pronunciation: aw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
  3. Strong's Number: H87
    There are 17014 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַבְרָם
    Transliteration: ʼAbrâm
    Pronunciation: ab-rawm'
    Description: contracted from אֲבִירָם; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham; Abram.
  4. Strong's Number: H3212
    There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָלַךְ
    Transliteration: yâlak
    Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
    Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
  5. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
  6. Strong's Number: H4138
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹלֶדֶת
    Transliteration: môwledeth
    Pronunciation: mo-leh'-deth
    Description: from יָלַד; nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring, family; begotten, born, issue, kindred, native(-ity).
  7. Strong's Number: H1
    There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָב
    Transliteration: ʼâb
    Pronunciation: awb
    Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
  8. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
  9. Strong's Number: H7200
    There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָאָה
    Transliteration: râʼâh
    Pronunciation: raw-aw'
    Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.