Genesis 12:6

KJV

¶ And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite [was] then in the land.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abram {H87} passed through {H5674} the land {H776} unto the place {H4725} of Sichem {H7927}, unto the plain {H436} of Moreh {H4176}. And the Canaanite {H3669} was then {H227} in the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Avram passed through the land to the place called Sh’khem, to the oak of Moreh. The Kena‘ani were then in the land.

Berean Standard Bible

Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land.

American Standard Version

And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 12:6 records the pivotal moment when Abram, in faithful obedience to God's call, enters the promised land of Canaan, arriving at the significant site of Sichem and the plain of Moreh. This verse immediately introduces a crucial detail: "And the Canaanite [was] then in the land," highlighting the existing inhabitants and underscoring the profound faith required for Abram to trust in God's promise of an inheritance amidst an occupied territory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 12:6 serves as the immediate follow-up to God's momentous call to Abram in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promises to Abram"). Having left his home and kindred in Haran (as recounted in [Genesis 12:4-5](/genesis/12-4-5 "Abram's Obedient Departure")), Abram's arrival in Sichem marks his initial physical entry into the land God promised to show him. This verse establishes the geographical starting point of Abram's journey within Canaan and sets the stage for God's direct appearance and covenant reaffirmation in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God Appears to Abram at Moreh"). The mention of the Canaanites introduces the first significant challenge or reality check to the seemingly straightforward promise of land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time of Abram's arrival (roughly 2000-1800 BC), Canaan was not an empty wilderness but a region inhabited by various Semitic and Hamitic peoples, including the Canaanites. These groups had established cities, agricultural practices, and distinct cultural and religious systems, often involving polytheistic worship and fertility cults. Sichem (modern Nablus) was a prominent and fertile valley city, strategically located along ancient trade routes between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. The "plain of Moreh" likely refers to a specific prominent tree or sacred grove, possibly a place associated with divination or teaching, given the meaning of "Moreh" (teacher). The presence of the Canaanites underscores the reality of a populated land, making God's promise of inheritance a matter of divine intervention rather than simple occupation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **divine guidance and human obedience**, as Abram faithfully follows God's directive to journey into the unknown. The mention of the Canaanites introduces the theme of **God's promises unfolding amidst obstacles**, emphasizing that divine fulfillment often requires persistent faith and patience in the face of existing realities. It also sets the stage for the **covenant of land**, which is a foundational element of God's promise to Abram and his descendants, a theme that will be elaborated upon in passages like [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "God's Covenant with Abram Regarding the Land"). Furthermore, the specific location of Sichem becomes a **sacred site** where God appears and Abram builds an altar, establishing a pattern of divine encounter and worship that will recur throughout Israel's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **passed through (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This root (H5674) signifies "to cross over" or "to pass through," implying a journey, transition, or movement from one place to another. In Abram's context, it highlights his active, obedient movement into the promised land, a literal crossing over into a new territory and a new phase of his life, demonstrating his immediate response to God's call to "go" ([Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's Command to Abram to Go")).
* **place (Hebrew, _mâqôwm'_):** The word (H4725) refers to a "standing," "spot," or "locality." Here, it emphasizes the specific, designated destination of Abram's initial journey within Canaan—Sichem. This is not a random stop but a divinely guided arrival at a significant geographical and spiritual location where God would soon appear to him, making it a "place" of divine encounter and covenant reaffirmation [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God Appears to Abram at Moreh").
* **Canaanite (Hebrew, _Kᵉnaʻanîy'_):** Derived from "Canaan" (H3669), this term denotes an inhabitant of Canaan. Its explicit mention here is crucial, serving as a stark reality check against the backdrop of God's promise of land. It immediately establishes that the land was not vacant but occupied by a distinct people, setting up the historical and theological tension of how God's promise of inheritance would be fulfilled in an already inhabited territory. The word also carries an implication of "merchant" or "trafficker," reflecting the Canaanites' known commercial activities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh."** This clause describes Abram's faithful and immediate obedience to God's command to leave Haran. His journey is not aimless but directed to a specific, significant location within Canaan. Sichem was a fertile and strategically important valley, and the "plain of Moreh" (often understood as the "terebinth of Moreh") was likely a prominent tree or sacred grove, possibly a place of oracle or instruction. This arrival marks the physical entry into the promised land, a foundational step in the unfolding of God's covenant with Abram.
* **"And the Canaanite [was] then in the land."** This seemingly simple observation carries profound theological weight. The adverb "then" (H227, _ʼâz'_) emphasizes that the Canaanites were already present at the very moment Abram arrived. This detail immediately introduces the primary obstacle to God's promise of land, foreshadowing centuries of conflict and highlighting that the fulfillment of God's covenant would require divine intervention and a long, often challenging, process. It underscores the immense faith required of Abram, who was called to trust in a promise that, from a human perspective, appeared impossible to realize given the existing inhabitants.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Juxtaposition** by placing Abram's arrival in the promised land directly alongside the declaration of the Canaanites' presence. This creates immediate tension and highlights the inherent challenge to God's promise. This tension also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the future conflicts and the long, arduous process of Israel's inheritance of the land, which would culminate centuries later under Joshua. Furthermore, the **Geographical Specificity** ("Sichem," "plain of Moreh") grounds the narrative in a tangible reality, making Abram's journey and the subsequent divine encounter [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's Appearance to Abram") concrete and historically significant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 12:6 is a foundational text demonstrating the dynamic interplay between divine promise and human obedience amidst real-world challenges. Abram's journey into an occupied land signifies that God's promises, while certain, often unfold progressively and require persistent faith, not immediate, effortless fulfillment. This verse sets the stage for the unfolding of God's land covenant, highlighting that its realization would involve divine power overcoming existing obstacles. It also underscores the importance of specific geographical locations as sites of divine revelation and covenant establishment, making Sichem a crucial early marker in the history of God's people.

* [Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18-21 "God's Covenant with Abram Regarding the Land")
* [Joshua 24:11-13](/joshua/24-11-13 "Joshua's Summary of Conquest")
* [Hebrews 11:8-10](/hebrews/11-8-10 "Abram's Faith Journey")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abram's arrival in Canaan, only to find it already inhabited, offers profound lessons for our own walk of faith. Just as Abram stepped into a promised land that was not empty, we often find that God's call leads us into situations where the "land" we are meant to inherit or the purpose we are meant to fulfill is already "occupied" by obstacles, opposition, or deeply entrenched challenges. This verse encourages us to embrace the journey of faith with eyes wide open to realities, yet with hearts firmly fixed on God's promises. It teaches us that obedience to God's call does not guarantee an easy path, but rather a path where His power is made perfect in our weakness and where His faithfulness is demonstrated in overcoming the seemingly insurmountable. Our task is to move forward in trust, knowing that the God who called us is fully capable of making a way where there appears to be none, ultimately fulfilling His purposes in His timing and by His means.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Canaanites" or existing obstacles are present in the "land" God is calling you to inherit or the purpose He is calling you to fulfill?**
* **How does Abram's immediate obedience, despite the presence of the Canaanites, challenge or encourage your own response to God's call?**
* **In what areas of your life are you being called to exercise patient faith, trusting God's promises even when the circumstances seem to contradict them?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "Sichem" and "Moreh"?**

Answer: Sichem (modern Shechem) was a highly significant and fertile region, strategically located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. Its name, meaning "shoulder" or "ridge," likely refers to its geographical position. The "plain of Moreh" (often translated as 'terebinth of Moreh' or 'teacher's oak') was probably a prominent tree or sacred grove, possibly a place of instruction or divine revelation. Its significance is immediately confirmed in the next verse, where God appears to Abram there and reaffirms His covenant promises, prompting Abram to build his first altar in Canaan [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God Appears to Abram at Moreh").

**Why is the presence of the Canaanites explicitly mentioned?**

Answer: The phrase "And the Canaanite [was] then in the land" is a crucial historical and theological detail. It immediately highlights that the land God promised Abram was not vacant but already inhabited by a distinct people group. This detail serves several purposes: it underscores the immense faith required of Abram to trust in a promise that seemed humanly impossible; it foreshadows the future conflicts and the long, often violent, process of Israel's conquest and inheritance of the land; and it emphasizes that the fulfillment of God's covenant would require miraculous divine intervention, rather than a simple act of occupation. It sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan amidst real-world challenges.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abram's journey into an occupied promised land, relying solely on God's word, profoundly foreshadows the believer's spiritual pilgrimage and the greater inheritance found in Christ. The physical land of Canaan, though promised, was not easily possessed, pointing beyond itself to a greater, spiritual inheritance that transcends geographical boundaries. Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises, not merely providing a temporal dwelling but securing an eternal, spiritual "land" for His people. As the true Seed of Abraham [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham"), Christ inherits all things and, through His atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, decisively overcomes the ultimate "occupiers" of humanity—sin, death, and Satan [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers"); [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's Victory Over Death"). He makes possible the true and lasting fulfillment of God's covenant promises, securing a spiritual inheritance and eternal rest in a "better country, that is, a heavenly one" [Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Longing for a Heavenly Country") for all who believe in Him. The struggle for the land in the Old Testament ultimately points to the spiritual warfare and the ultimate, decisive victory found in Christ, who grants access to the true and abundant life.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 11:30

[Are] they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?

Hebrews 11:9

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

Genesis 35:4

And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which [were] in their hand, and [all their] earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which [was] by Shechem.

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 15:21

And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

Genesis 10:18

And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

Genesis 10:19

And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.