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Genesis 12:1

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¶ 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:

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:

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.

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.

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:

Commentary

Genesis 12:1 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, initiating God's redemptive plan through one man, Abram (later Abraham). This verse records the divine command that sets the stage for the Abrahamic Covenant and the formation of the nation of Israel.

Context

Prior to this verse, the book of Genesis chronicles humanity's decline from creation through the Fall, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel, leading to the dispersion of peoples across the earth. In Genesis 11:31-32, we learn that Abram's father, Terah, had already begun a journey from Ur of the Chaldees (a prominent Mesopotamian city, likely steeped in idolatry) towards Canaan, settling in Haran. The phrase "Now the LORD had said unto Abram" suggests that God's call may have initially been given while Abram was still in Ur, or was reiterated with renewed urgency in Haran, commanding him to leave his past behind entirely and embark on a journey of faith.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative: God actively seeks out Abram, demonstrating His sovereign choice and initiating a new chapter in His relationship with humanity. It is not Abram who seeks God first, but God who calls.
  • Radical Obedience and Faith: Abram is commanded to leave everything familiar—his country, his relatives, and his father's household—for an unspecified destination, "a land that I will shew thee." This call demands profound trust and obedience to God's unseen plan. His subsequent obedience is highlighted in Hebrews 11:8.
  • Separation for a Divine Purpose: The command to "Get thee out" signifies a call to separation from the prevailing culture and its idolatry, marking the beginning of a distinct people set apart for God's purposes.
  • Foundation of the Abrahamic Covenant: This call is the preface to the grand promises God makes to Abram in Genesis 12:2-3, including promises of land, descendants, blessing, and being a blessing to all families of the earth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "Get thee out" is Lekh Lekha (לֶךְ־לְךָ), which literally means "Go for yourself" or "Go to yourself." This emphatic construction implies a journey that is not merely physical relocation, but a profound spiritual and personal transformation. It suggests a journey that will ultimately benefit Abram, leading him to his true identity and destiny as ordained by God, even though the immediate path is unknown.

Practical Application

Genesis 12:1 speaks powerfully to believers today:

  • Responding to God's Call: Like Abram, we may be called to step out of our comfort zones, leave behind familiar but ungodly influences, and trust God for an unknown future.
  • Faith in the Unknown: God's guidance often involves taking steps of faith without knowing the full picture. Our trust is in the One who calls, not in the clarity of the path.
  • Embracing New Beginnings: This verse foreshadows the spiritual journey of leaving our "old self" and becoming a "new creature" in Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17. It's a call to abandon former ways and walk in God's revealed will.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:8 (52 votes)

    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 (27 votes)

    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 (26 votes)

    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 (26 votes)

    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 (21 votes)

    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 (16 votes)

    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 (16 votes)

    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.