Genesis 12:2

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Complete Jewish Bible:

I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing.

Berean Standard Bible:

I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

American Standard Version:

and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And I will make of thee^{H6213} a great^{H1419} nation^{H1471}, and I will bless^{H1288} thee, and make^{H1431} thy name^{H8034} great^{H1431}; and thou shalt be a blessing^{H1293}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 12:2

Genesis 12:2 is part of the narrative where God calls Abram (later known as Abraham) to leave his homeland and embark on a journey to a land that God will show him. This verse encapsulates God's promises to Abram, which include:

1. **Nationhood**: God promises to make Abram the father of a great nation, which is a foundational promise for the Jewish people, and by extension, the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).

2. **Blessing**: Abram is assured of divine favor and protection, which will extend to his descendants.

3. **Greatness**: Abram's name will be exalted, signifying his future fame and the esteem in which he will be held.

4. **Universal Blessing**: Abram himself will be a source of blessing to others, indicating that his influence will reach beyond his own progeny to affect all nations of the earth.

**Historical Context**: This promise is set in the context of the ancient Near East, where tribal and national identity was paramount. The promise to Abram is given around the 2nd millennium BCE, a time when city-states and small kingdoms were the norm. The concept of a single deity making such comprehensive promises to an individual was quite distinct from the prevailing polytheistic religions of the time, which often involved many gods with more localized and limited spheres of influence.

The themes of this verse are central to the biblical narrative, highlighting the ideas of election, covenant, and the role of the chosen people in the divine plan for humanity. The promise to Abram sets the stage for the unfolding story of the Israelites and the outworking of God's plan of redemption and blessing for all peoples.

*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: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1419
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדוֹל
   Transliteration: gâdôwl
   Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
   Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1471
   There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוֹי
   Transliteration: gôwy
   Pronunciation: go'-ee
   Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1288
   There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָרַךְ
   Transliteration: bârak
   Pronunciation: baw-rak'
   Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1431
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדַל
   Transliteration: gâdal
   Pronunciation: gaw-dal'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to twist (compare גְּדִל), i.e.; to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride); advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to... estate, [phrase] things), grow(up), increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower.
   
6. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1293
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּרָכָה
   Transliteration: Bᵉrâkâh
   Pronunciation: ber-aw-kaw'
   Description: from בָרַךְ; benediction; by implication prosperity; blessing, liberal, pool, present.