Genesis 12

1 the Lord had said. Rather, “the Lord said” (R.V.). Repeating the command which summoned Abram from his former home, and was as yet only partially obeyed.—father’s house. Abram’s father and other near relatives had accompanied him from Chaldæa as far as Charran, and had settled there (see xxvii. 43); but he was to proceed farther, and to be completely separated from them (cp. Luke xiv. 26).

3 blessed. The special blessing which had been promised to our first parents, and then to the line of Shem (ch. ix. 26), is here distinctly limited to one branch of that family. This promise to Abram is repeated (xviii. 18; xxii. 18, and cp. Acts iii. 25, 26; Gal. iii. 8). Henceforward Abram and his descendants are almost the only subjects of the sacred history.

4. So Abram departed. In faith (Heb. xi. 8-10). 6 Sichem. Or, “Shechem,” or “Sychar,” now Nablus, lying between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. This is one of the richest and loveliest parts of Palestine.—the plain. Rather, “oak,” or “terebinth” (R.V.). So ch. xiii. 18; meaning a grove of these trees. And so in subsequent passages.

7 appeared. In what way we are not told. God sometimes appeared in human form (xviii.); at other times in visions or dreams (xv. 1). In Stephen’s address before the Jewish council (Acts vii. 2), the first call to Abraham is stated to have been given by the “God of glory”; implying such a display of the Divine Majesty as left no room for hesitation.—Unto thy seed. See Gal. iii. 16.

altar. In token of his faith in the promise, and as a pledge of the maintenance of the worship of Jehovah in his family. See ch. xviii. 19.

8 a mountain. Rather, “the mountain” (R.V.), i.e. the mountain region.

9 the South. “The Negeb,” the southern tract of Judæa. Abram made no settlement in Canaan; and the only land he ever acquired there was a grave. See Acts vii. 5; Heb. xi. 8-10.

10. Egypt. Already the abode of a powerful nation, with kingly government and court.

11 to look upon. The seclusion of women was less strict in Egypt than in other Oriental countries. In contrast to the dark complexions of the natives, the fairness of the Mesopotamian race would be attractive.

12 shall see. Veils were probably not then used; or, at least, they were not so large as since in the East. See xx. 16.

13 sister. For the danger, cp. Gen. xx. 11; xxvi. 7; and, for the true policy, see Prov. xxix. 25; Jer. xvii. 7 and ref.

my soul. “My life.”

15. Pharaoh. “Pharaoh” was the title of most of the Egyptian kings down to the Babylonian conquest. Akin to Heb. Pireha, “prince” or

“leader."—Pharaoh’s house. To undergo the purification preparatory to becoming one of his wives.

20 sent him away. In an honourable way; probably with an escort.