Genesis 12:1 - Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

GENESIS CHAPTER 12 God calls Abram from his own country and kindred to Canaan, Genesis 12:1. Promises to make of him a great and flourishing nation, and to bless in Christ his seed, Genesis 12:2,3. Abram obeys, Genesis 12:4-6. God appears to him, and promises to give Canaan to his seed; he builds an altar, Genesis 12:7. He removes to Beth-el, and there builds an altar, Genesis 12:8. There being a famine he goes down to Egypt, Genesis 12:10. He advises Sarai to equivocate, Genesis 12:11-13. She is taken into Pharaoh's house, Genesis 12:15. Pharaoh kind to Abram for her sake, Genesis 12:16. God plagues him because of Sarai, Genesis 12:17. He calls Abram, and expostulates with him, Genesis 12:18,19. Sends him safely away, Genesis 12:20. The Lord had said, to wit, in Ur of the Chaldees, by comparing Genesis 11:31, with Acts 7:2-4; or, did say, again, i.e. renewed the command in Haran, whilst Abram might possibly linger there, as afterwards Lot did in Sodom, longer than he should. But the former interpretation is more probable, because Moses speaks here of that command of God which came to Abram before he was gone from his kindred and father's house, and therefore before he came to Haran. And this command was given to Abram either immediately, or by Shem, then the governor of God's church. From thy father's house; from the family of Nachor, which was now become idolatrous, Genesis 31:30 Joshua 24:2; and consequently their society was dangerous and pernicious; and therefore God mercifully snatcheth him as a brand out of the fire. A land that I will show thee; which as yet he nameth not, for the greater trial and exercise of Abram's faith and patience: compare Isaiah 41:2 Hebrews 11:8.