Genesis 12:9 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּסַּ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם הָל֥וֹךְ וְנָס֖וֹעַ הַנֶּֽגְבָּה׃ פ
BSAAnd AbramʼAbrâm [the father of faith, originally named Abram] journeyed onnâçaʻ▸ [to set out, started traveling] towardnâçaʻ [in the direction of, heading to] the Negevnegeb [the southern district, south country, Negeb]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּסַּ֣ע | and he journeyed | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אַבְרָ֔ם | Abram | Noun proper masculine |
| הָל֥וֹךְ | going | Verb, Qal, infinitive absolute |
| וְנָס֖וֹעַ | and journeying | Conjunction, verb qal infinitive absolute |
| הַנֶּֽגְבָּה׃ פ | the south towards | Particle, noun proper, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | And Abram journeyed on toward the Negev. |
| KJV | And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. |
| ASV | And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South. |
| YLT | And Abram journeyeth, going on and journeying towards the south. |
| WEB | Abram traveled, still going on toward the South. |
| BBE | And he went on, journeying still to the South. |
All translations agree on the rendering of נָסַע as journeyed.
The sentence is straightforward, with one main verb and two phrases providing additional context.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאַבְרָם
verbנָסַע
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 12:9
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Abram's Journeygenerated
Genesis 12:9 describes Abram's movement as he journeys toward the Negev. This verse follows his earlier actions of setting up an altar and calling on the name of the LORD, indicating a deepening of his faith and commitment to God. The Negev represents a significant geographical area in Abram's narrative, marking his steps of obedience and trust in God's promises.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 13:3 | From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched, |
| 2 | Genesis 24:62 | Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. |
| 3 | Psalm 105:13 | they wandered from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. |
| 4 | Hebrews 11:13–14 | All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 4 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָסַע, vai.yi.Sa'generated
The verb נָסַע (naca`) means to set out or start a journey. It conveys the action of departing, much like the Israelites did when they left Egypt. This word captures both physical movement and the act of removing oneself from one place to another.
In this verse, the parsing indicates a sequential imperfect tense, showing that Abram is actively and continuously journeying. The use of this verb emphasizes his commitment to follow God's direction as he travels toward the Negev.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses journeyed for the Hebrew word נָסַע.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb וַיִּסַּ֣ע (vai.yi.Sa') governs the entire clause, indicating Abram's action of journeying. The structure follows a straightforward order, with the subject אַבְרָ֔ם ('av.Ram) clearly identified as the one undertaking the journey.
The sentence flows smoothly, highlighting Abram's continuous movement as he journeys toward the Negev, which is indicated by the prepositional phrase הַנֶּֽגְבָּה.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָסַע as ἀπῆρεν (apēren), meaning 'he departed.' This choice conveys a similar sense of movement but narrows the focus to the act of leaving rather than the broader implications of setting out on a journey.
This translation choice reflects the translators' understanding of Abram's action as a significant departure, aligning with the narrative's emphasis on faith and obedience.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 12:9 tells us that Abram journeyed on toward the Negev. This verse shows Abram's obedience as he moves through the land, following God's guidance. The Negev is a significant area in his journey, marking his steps of faith.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It signifies Abram's obedience and faith in following God's direction as he travels through the land.
The Negev represents a significant geographical area that Abram traverses, symbolizing his steps of faith and commitment to God's promises.
This verse follows Abram's establishment of an altar and calling on the name of the LORD, indicating a deepening of his faith.
It shows his willingness to move forward in obedience to God's call, reflecting his faith and commitment.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I be obedient to God's direction in my own life?
- What does it mean to set out on a journey of faith like Abram?
- How can I recognize the 'Negev' areas in my life where God is calling me to go?
- What steps can I take to deepen my faith as I move forward in my own journey?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse to highlight Abram's journey and faith, as seen in the writings of Jerome and Bede.
And Abram, setting out, went into the desert; and famine came upon the land. And in the present and in many other places, for desert, it is written in Hebrew. Therefore, we should take note of this.Early Church Fathers on Genesis 12 →
And Abram journeyed, going and still progressing towards the south. The southern region, from where the sun is accustomed to shine more ardently upon the world, mystically demonstrates the fervor of love by which the hearts of the elect,Early Church Fathers on Genesis 12 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 12:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Abram journeyed,.... He did not stay long in the mountain between Bethel and Hai, but moved from thence, and kept on journeying in the land of Canaan: going on still toward the south; the
Read John Gill on Genesis 12 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south. Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south - [ Negeb (H5045), the south, was the name given to that large undulating tract of country which
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 12 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleRemoving from place to place, still hoping to meet with better neighbours, and to free himself from that perpetual vexation which he had in beholding their wickedness. Toward the south, i.e. the southern part of the land of Canaan towards Egypt.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 12 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.Ver. 9. Going on still towards the south.] As toward the sun, whereby may be figured, saith an expositor, his progress in faith and grace, as Proverbs 4:18 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 12 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Toward the south.—The Negeb, or dry land, so called because the soil being a soft white chalk, the rains sink through it, and even in the valleys run below the surface of the ground. Though treeless, it is still rich in flocks and herds, but the water has to be collected in tanks and cisterns (Conder, Tent Work, ii. 87).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 12 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges9. toward the South] Heb. Negeb, the southern tract of Judah. Negeb means “the dry land,” “the land of thin soil.” It was applied especially to the country in the southernmost region of Canaan, described in Joshua 15:21-32, and spoken of in Numbers 13:17; Numbers 13:22; Numbers 13:26. The Israelite, dwelling in Palestine, was accustomed to speak of the south as the “negeb” quarter, just as he spoke of the west as the “sea” quarter, of the compass. The R.V. prints the word “South” with a capital, when it denotes the region between Hebron and the wilderness. It is found in the form Ngb in an Egyptian writing of the reign of Thothmes III (1479–1447 b.c.) as a name for S. Palestine (Müller’s…
Read Cambridge on Genesis 12 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible9. Abram journeyed — Literally, and Abram pulled up, (his tent-pins,) going and pulling up, (encamping and striking his tents.) Toward the south — Hebrew, towards the Negeb, that is, the country
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 12 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
And Abram journeyed on toward the Negev.
Abram traveled, still going on toward the South.
And Abram journeyed on toward the Negev.
Abram continually journeyed by stages down to the Negev.
Tyndale line
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.
And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.
And Abram journeyed, going on still towards the south.
Againe Abram went forth going and iourneying toward the South.
Strictly literal
And Abram moved onward, going on still toward the south.
And Abram journeyeth, going on and journeying towards the south.
And Abram journeys, going on and journeying toward the south.
And Abram journeyed farther, still going on toward the south.
Then Abram continued journeying, going toward the Negev.
From the Latin
And Abram went forward, going, and proceeding on to the south.
Simplified
After that he went on his way, heading towards the Negev.
And he went on, journeying still to the South.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree closely, with only one word differing: the Samaritan uses נסע instead of וַיִּסַּע. The Septuagint matches four out of five words, indicating a strong alignment with the Hebrew text.
וַיִּסַּ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם הָל֥וֹךְ וְנָס֖וֹעַ הַנֶּֽגְבָּה׃ פ
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויסע אברם הלוך ונסע הנגבה
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: נסע (pull out)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 12:9
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נָסַע (naca`) means to pull out or up, particularly in the context of setting out on a journey. It encompasses actions like departing, marching, and removing, with nuances related to both physical movement and the wind. The word can also imply causing someone or something to set out or be led away.
נָסַע 147 vb. pull out or up, set out, journey
Qal 137
pull out or up
hence (from pulling up tent-pegs),
set out
depart
journey, march (by stages)
of wind
Niph. be pulled up, removed
Hiph.
cause to set out, lead out
remove
base
H5265 נָסַע pull out or up, set out, journey .. pull out or up
. hence (from pulling up tent-pegs), . set out
. depart
. journey, march (by stages)
. of wind
. be pulled up, removed
. . cause to set out, lead out
. remove
5265 naca` naw-sah'
a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the
tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey:--cause to blow, bring,
get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take)
journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), X still, be on
his (go their) way.
נָסַע (na.sa) — to set out.
1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pull out or up
1a2) to set out, depart
1a3) to journey, march
1a4) to set forth (of wind)
1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up
1c2) to remove, quarry
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אַבְרָם (Avram) means 'exalted father' and refers to the original name of Abraham. The entries indicate that Abram is a significant figure from the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned in Genesis 11:26, and he is the son of Terah and the husband of Sarah, among others. He is also the father of several notable sons, including Isaac and Ishmael.
אַבְרָם n.pr.m. (id., Thes al. exalted father) Abram = אַבְרָהָם Abraham
base
H87 אַבְרָם Abram = אַבְרָהָם Abraham
87 'Abram ab-rawm'
contracted from 48; high father; Abram, the original name of
Abraham:--Abram.
see HEBREW for 048
אַבְרָם (av.ram) — Abram.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26;
son of: Terah (H8646);
brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989);
father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x
Another name of av.ra.ham (אַבְרָהָם "Abraham" H0085)
§ Abram = "exalted father"
original name of Abraham
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a'-bram. See ABRAHAM.
Abram
Exalted father. (see ABRAHAM.)
(a high father), the earlier name of Abraham.
High father, afterwards named Abraham.
הָלַךְ (halak) means 'to go,' 'come,' or 'walk,' and covers a wide range of literal and figurative uses, including aspects of life and death. It can describe physical movement, moral conduct, and even influence on character. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal, Piel, and Hithpael, indicating different nuances like leading or traversing.
הָלַךְ 1546 vb. go, come, walk
Qal Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך
lit.
of persons
Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
in like manner of inanimate things
The inf. abs. is often used
as in other vbs., quite independently
to intensify meaning of finite form
most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs.
with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. adj. denoting progress, advance
twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
quite by itself
13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
In combination with other verbal forms
Fig.; the most common uses follow; in most the origin in a literal meaning is evident:
pass away, die
H1980 הָלַךְ go, come, walk .Impf. usually (629 t.) as if from ילך . lit. . of persons
. Also of animals, in similar meanings and combinations
. in like manner of inanimate things
. The inf. abs. is often used . as in other vbs., quite independently
. to intensify meaning of finite form
. most noteworthy is the joining of the Inf. abs. . with a following Inf. abs. denoting a simutaneous action or process, and so emphasizing duration or continuance
. with a foll. vb. fin. c. ו consec. (rare)
. in cases where vb. fin. is foll. by Inf. abs. + adj. denoting progress, advance
. twice, where vb. fin. is not הלך, but another vb. denoting motion
. quite by itself
. 13 t. the Inf. abs. = Imv. & is followed by Pf. consec.
. akin to the use of Inf. abs. are some instances of Pt.
. In combination with other verbal forms
1980 halak haw-lak'
akin to 3212; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety
of applications, literally and figuratively):--(all) along,
apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant,
depart, + be eased, enter, exercise (self), + follow, forth,
forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on,
out, up and down), + greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead,
march, X more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away),
be at the point, quite, run (along), + send, speedily, spread,
still, surely, + tale-bearer, + travel(-ler), walk (abroad,
on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax,
(way-)faring man, X be weak, whirl.
see HEBREW for 03212
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: went.
: went/go[away]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: come.
: come[nearer]
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
1c2) to walk about
1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
הָלַךְ (ha.lakh) — to go: walk.
: walk/move
1) to go, walk, come
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to walk
1b2) to walk (fig.)
1c) (Hithpael)
1c1) to traverse
HVqaa — Verb · Qal · infinitive absoluteHVqaa
נָסַע (naca`) means to pull out or up, particularly in the context of setting out on a journey. It encompasses actions like departing, marching, and removing, with nuances related to both physical movement and the wind. The word can also imply causing someone or something to set out or be led away.
נָסַע 147 vb. pull out or up, set out, journey
Qal 137
pull out or up
hence (from pulling up tent-pegs),
set out
depart
journey, march (by stages)
of wind
Niph. be pulled up, removed
Hiph.
cause to set out, lead out
remove
base
H5265 נָסַע pull out or up, set out, journey .. pull out or up
. hence (from pulling up tent-pegs), . set out
. depart
. journey, march (by stages)
. of wind
. be pulled up, removed
. . cause to set out, lead out
. remove
5265 naca` naw-sah'
a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the
tent-pins, i.e. start on a journey:--cause to blow, bring,
get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take)
journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), X still, be on
his (go their) way.
נָסַע (na.sa) — to set out.
1) to pull out, pull up, set out, journey, remove, set forward, depart
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to pull out or up
1a2) to set out, depart
1a3) to journey, march
1a4) to set forth (of wind)
1b) (Niphal) to be pulled up, be removed, be plucked up
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to cause to set out, lead out, cause to spring up
1c2) to remove, quarry
Conj | V-Qal-Ptc — Conjunction · verb qal infinitive absoluteHC/Vqaa
נֶ֫גֶב (negev) refers to the southern region of Judah, often characterized by its dry, parched landscape. The term can mean 'south-country' or simply 'south.' It is derived from an unused root associated with drought. The entries consistently identify it with the Negeb area, without significant disagreement among the lexicons.
נֶ֫גֶב n.[m.] south-country, Negeb, south
base
H5045 נֶ֫גֶב south-country, Negeb, south
5045 negeb neh'-gheb
from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from
its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of
Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine):--south
(country, side, -ward).
נֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) — Negeb.
region of southern Judah
Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H)
This name means south-country
נֶ֫גֶב (ne.gev) — south.
A sub-meaning of ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "Negeb" H5045)
§ 1) south-country, Nekeb, south
1a) south-country
1a1) region of southern Judah, boundaries not specific
1b) south
Art | N-ms | Suff — Particle · noun proper · suffixHTd/Npl/Sd