Genesis 12 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

The Call of Abraham. The Removal to Canaan. The Visit to Egypt

1. Had said] RV 'said,' when he was in Haran. In what manner the call came to Abraham, whether through some outward incident which he recognised as the prompting of Providence, or through the suggestions of the Divine Spirit in his inmost soul, we do not know. Anyhow he regarded it as divine and authoritative, and it was too definite tobe misunderstood. Get thee out of.. and from.. and from] The repetition emphasises the complete severance of all connexion with his early home and friends. A land that I will shew thee] The fact that the land was not named increased the demand on Abraham's faith and made his self-surrender the more absolute; cp. Hebrews 11.

Thou shalt be a blessing] RV 'Be thou a blessing,' i.e. the very embodiment of blessing: blessed thyself, and the source of blessing to others.

In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed] or, 'bless themselves.' Through Abraham and his descendants men everywhere would come to know God as One and Holy, and to long for 'the Desire of all nations.'

Lot went with him] Haran, Lot's father, was dead, Genesis 11:28.

They went forth to go] Haran, the starting-place, was some 300 miles from Canaan. They would go through Syria, halting perhaps at Damascus (see Genesis 15:2), then proceeding southwards through Bashan to the fords of the Jordan S. of the Sea of Galilee, and thence to Shechem in the centre of Palestine. The souls that they had gotten] i.e. their slaves. The land of Canaan] the ancient name of Palestine. At this time much of Syria and Canaan was ruled by the Amorites, who were for centuries the dominant race.

Sichern] RV 'Shechem.' The term 'the place of Shechem' intimates that this was an ancient sanctuary, and this is confirmed by Genesis 35:4; Dt; Genesis 11:29; Genesis 27:4; Joshua 8:33; Joshua 24:26. The 'terebinth (or turpentine tree) of the director' (as we may render plain of Moreh) points to the same conclusion. Most likely there was a grove of trees, the rustling of whose leaves was interpreted as an oracle (cp. 2 Samuel 5:24). Oracles of this kind were much resorted to. The Canaanite] see on Joshua 13:7.

The Lord appeared unto Abram] see on Genesis 12:1. The faith of Abraham, in leaving Haran in obedience to the divine call, is now rewarded by the definite promise of possession of the land by his descendants. There builded he an altar] thus consecrating the place to God, who had there manifested Himself to him. The building of an altar was the recognised act of worship: cp. Genesis 8:20; Genesis 13:18, etc.

Beth-el] 5 m. S. of Shechem; see on Genesis 28:19. Hai] or, Ai, near Bethel.

The south] or, 'the Negeb,' the district between Palestine and the wilderness N. of Sinai. It forms a transition from the cultivated land to the desert; and, though not fertile, yields much pasture for flocks; see Joshua 15:21-32.

10-20. Abraham's visit to Egypt. Owing to a famine, to which Palestine is sometimes liable if the winter rains fail, Abraham moves down to Egypt. There, owing to the inundations of the Nile and the system of irrigation practised, crops rarely failed, and neighbouring countries had their wants supplied: cp. Acts 27:6; Acts 27:38. Egypt was already a highly civilised country in Abraham's time. Many of the pyramids were built long before his day.

The patriarch on this occasion appears in a very unfavourable light. Admitting the great dangers which threatened him at the hands of a licentious despot, admitting also that among Easterns duplicity is admired rather than scorned, the readiness he showed to risk his wife's honour in order to secure his own safety, and his lack of trust in God's protection, are inexcusable. But we esteem our Bible all the more for its candour in not hiding the faults of its greatest characters. Of only One can it be said that He was 'without sin.'

Thou art my sister] Sarah was Abraham's half-sister (Genesis 20:12). By this prevarication he doubtless thought the danger to himself would be less than if he had confessed that she was his wife.

Pharaoh] the official title of the kings of Egypt; cp. Pharaoh-Necho (2 Kings 23:29). It is the Egyptian word Pr'o, 'great house,' which was originally applied to the royal palace and estate, and afterwards to the king: cp. our use of the word 'Court' to designate the king and his household. It is probable that at this time Egypt was governed by Asiatic conquerors known as the Hyksôs, or Shepherd kings: see Intro, to Exodus.

It is usual in the East to give presents to the bride's relatives on such occasions, to make, in fact, payment for the bride; cp. Exodus 22:16; Ruth 4:10. Camels] It is doubtful if these were used by the ancient Egyptians. Perhaps the Semitic conquerors of Egypt may have introduced them from Asia at this period.

Cp. Psalms 105:14, 'He suffered no man to do them wrong; yea, he reproved kings for their sakes.'