Genesis 12:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine [was] grievous in the land.

Complete Jewish Bible:

But there was a famine in the land, so Avram went down into Egypt to stay there, because the famine in the land was severe.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.

American Standard Version:

And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was sore in the land.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And there was a famine^{H7458} in the land^{H776}: and Abram^{H87} went down^{H3381} into Egypt^{H4714} to sojourn^{H1481} there; for the famine^{H7458} was grievous^{H3515} in the land^{H776}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 12:10

Genesis 12:10 is part of the narrative concerning the patriarch Abram (later named Abraham), who is a central figure in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. This verse is set within the broader context of Abram's journey, which began in Genesis 12 with God's call to leave his homeland and family in Haran to go to a land that God would show him (Genesis 12:1-3). This call included a promise that Abram would become a great nation, and through him, all the families of the earth would be blessed.

**Themes:**
1. **Faith and Trust in God:** Abram's decision to leave his familiar surroundings and venture into the unknown is an act of faith, trusting in God's promises despite the uncertainties and challenges he faces, such as the famine.
2. **God's Providence:** The famine presents a significant trial for Abram and his household. It serves as a test of Abram's faith and an opportunity for God's providence to be demonstrated as the story unfolds.
3. **Human Response to Adversity:** Abram's response to the famine is to go down to Egypt, a common refuge from famine in the ancient Near East. This highlights the human aspect of Abram's decision-making process, showing that faith does not preclude practical actions in times of hardship.
4. **Journey Motif:** The narrative of Abram's journey is emblematic of the human journey of faith, with its ups and downs, challenges, and periods of testing.

**Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The events of Genesis 12 are traditionally dated to around the early second millennium BCE, during the Bronze Age.
- **Cultural Context:** Egypt was a powerful and prosperous nation, often a destination for people seeking refuge and sustenance during times of famine. The Nile River's reliable flooding provided consistent agricultural productivity, making Egypt a stark contrast to Canaan, which was more susceptible to the whims of rainfall.
- **Migration Patterns:** It was common for Semitic peoples, like Abram and his family, to migrate to Egypt during famines. This pattern is reflected in other biblical narratives, such as the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) and later the story of the Israelites' descent into Egypt (Genesis 46-47).

In summary, Genesis 12:10 reflects the themes of faith, divine promise, and human response to adversity within the historical context of ancient Near Eastern migration patterns due to famine. Abram's journey to Egypt is both a response to a natural disaster and a step in the fulfillment of God's covenantal promise to make him a great nation.

*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: H7458
   There are 88 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָעָב
   Transliteration: râʻâb
   Pronunciation: raw-awb'
   Description: from רָעֵב; hunger (more or less extensive); dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger.
   
2. 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.
   
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: H3381
   There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָרַד
   Transliteration: yârad
   Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
   Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4714
   There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְרַיִם
   Transliteration: Mitsrayim
   Pronunciation: mits-rah'-yim
   Description: dual of מָצוֹר; Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt; Egypt, Egyptians, Mizraim.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1481
   There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוּר
   Transliteration: gûwr
   Pronunciation: goor
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e. sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place); also to gather forhostility (as afraid); abide, assemble, be afraid, dwell, fear, gather (together), inhabitant, remain, sojourn, stand in awe, (be) stranger, [idiom] surely.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3515
   There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּבֵד
   Transliteration: kâbêd
   Pronunciation: kaw-bade'
   Description: from כָּבַד; heavy; figuratively in a good sense (numerous) or in a bad sense (severe, difficult, stupid); (so) great, grievous, hard(-ened), (too) heavy(-ier), laden, much, slow, sore, thick.