King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He treated Avram well for her sake, giving him sheep, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels.
Berean Standard Bible:
He treated Abram well on her account, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels.
American Standard Version:
And he dealt well with Abram for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and maid-servants, and she-asses, and camels.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he entreated{H3190} Abram{H87} well{H3190} for her sake: and he had sheep{H6629}, and oxen{H1241}, and he asses{H2543}, and menservants{H5650}, and maidservants{H8198}, and she asses{H860}, and camels{H1581}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 20:14
- ¶ And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave [them] unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
Genesis 13:2
- And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Job 42:12
- So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
Genesis 32:5
- And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
Genesis 32:13
- ¶ And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
Genesis 32:15
- Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
Psalms 144:13
- [That] our garners [may be] full, affording all manner of store: [that] our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 12:16
Genesis 12:16 is part of the narrative concerning Abram (later named Abraham), who is a key patriarchal figure in the Bible. This verse occurs within the broader context of Abram's journey to Egypt due to a famine in the land of Canaan.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Providence and Protection:** Despite Abram's fear that the Egyptians might kill him to take his wife Sarai (later named Sarah), the verse emphasizes that Abram was treated well because of her. This reflects the theme of God's protection over His people and the fulfillment of His promises.
2. **Wealth and Blessing:** The verse lists the material possessions that Abram acquired while in Egypt, indicating the fulfillment of God's promise to bless him (Genesis 12:2-3). This abundance of livestock and servants is a sign of divine favor and foreshadows the prosperity of Abram's descendants.
3. **Hospitality and Social Status:** The treatment Abram receives in Egypt is indicative of the cultural value placed on hospitality in the ancient Near East. Abram's increasing wealth also signifies his growing social status, which is significant in a culture where social standing was closely tied to material wealth.
**Historical Context:**
- **Famine:** Famine was a recurring challenge in the ancient Near East, often necessitating migration to ensure survival. Abram's move to Egypt follows a common pattern of the time, where people would seek refuge and resources in the fertile Nile region during periods of drought or famine.
- **Egypt as a Refuge:** Egypt, with its reliable agriculture due to the annual Nile floods, was a place of refuge for surrounding nations during times of famine. The Pharaoh's ability to provide for foreigners like Abram reflects the country's relative wealth and stability.
- **Social Hierarchy:** The possessions listed in the verse (sheep, oxen, asses, menservants, maidservants, she-asses, and camels) are indicative of the agrarian and pastoral economy of the time. Camels, in particular, were significant for trade and transportation and were a symbol of wealth.
- **Patriarchal Narratives:** This event is one of several stories involving the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and their interactions with foreign rulers. These narratives often highlight the tension between fear and faith as the patriarchs navigate their relationships with God and the surrounding nations.
In summary, Genesis 12:16 reflects themes of divine protection, material blessing, and the importance of hospitality within the historical context of ancient Near Eastern famine, migration to Egypt for refuge, and the social hierarchy of the time.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3190
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָטַב
Transliteration: yâṭab
Pronunciation: yaw-tab'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right); be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). - 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. - Strong's Number: H6629
There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹאן
Transliteration: tsôʼn
Pronunciation: tsone
Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). - Strong's Number: H1241
There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּקָר
Transliteration: bâqâr
Pronunciation: baw-kawr'
Description: from בָּקַר; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd; beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. - Strong's Number: H2543
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲמוֹר
Transliteration: chămôwr
Pronunciation: kham-ore'
Description: or (shortened) חֲמֹר; from חָמַר; a male ass (from its dun red); (he) ass. - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H8198
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁפְחָה
Transliteration: shiphchâh
Pronunciation: shif-khaw'
Description: feminine from an unused root meaning to spread out (as a family; see מִשְׁפָּחָה); a female slave (as a member of the household); (bond-, hand-) maid(-en, -servant), wench, bondwoman, womanservant. - Strong's Number: H860
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָתוֹן
Transliteration: ʼâthôwn
Pronunciation: aw-thone'
Description: probably from the same as אֵיתָן (in the sense of patience); a female donkey (from its docility); (she) ass. - Strong's Number: H1581
There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּמָל
Transliteration: gâmâl
Pronunciation: gaw-mawl'
Description: apparently from גָּמַל (in the sense of labor or burden-bearing); a camel; camel.