Genesis - Toldot of Terah and the
Sojourn in Egypt
The tale of Terah - 11:27-32
"Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and
Haran; and Haran begat Lot. And Haran died earlier than his father Terah in
the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. And Abram and Nahor took
them better halves: the call of Abram’s spouse was Sarai; and the name of
Nahor’s spouse, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the
father of Iscah. And Sarai became barren; she had no infant. And Terah took
Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his
daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s spouse; and that they went forth with them
from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and that they got
here unto Haran, and dwelled there. And the days of Terah have been two
hundred and 5 years: and Terah died in Haran."
Verse 27a starts with the word: Now those are the generations of Terah. This
toldot tells what have become of Terah; namely, that his line produced
Abraham. In step with Joshua 24:2, Terah turned into an idolater who
worshipped the moon god Sin. Haran, in which the family in the beginning
came from, and Ur of the Chaldees, wherein they lived for awhile, were each
centers of moon worship. The names of the family participants in reality
display the have an effect on of moon god worship. For example, the call
Sarai comes from the phrase Sharrate, which means “queen.” This changed
into the Akkadian translation of the Sumarian name of Ningal, the wife of the
moon god Sin. Every other name is Milcah, from the word Malkatu, which
means that “princess” and become the title of Ishtar, the daughter of the
moon god Sin. The name Laban method “white” and is the poetic term for
the full moon. Therefore, these numerous names all display the have an
effect on of the worship of the moon god, reaffirming what Joshua 24:2 said
approximately Terah being an idolater. The own family become at the
beginning from Haran in the land of Aramea (Aram-Syria), but they moved to
Ur of the Chaldees, which was approximately 600 miles to the southeast.
Genesis 11:27-28b offers the family of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and
Haran; after which it provides: Haran begat Lot. Lot’s start is referred to due
to the fact he's going to play a position in later chapters in Genesis. The
passage then records the loss of life of Haran: Haran died earlier than his
father Terah. What made this uncommon is for the son to die before the
daddy. Moreover, this is to provide an explanation for why Lot became
fatherless and more or much less fell under the authority of Abram. The
vicinity of Terah’s loss of life changed into: the land of his nativity. He died in
Ur of the Chaldees, the location in which Haran turned into born. It does no
longer mean that Terah came from Ur of the Chaldees, on the grounds that
Terah came from the land of Haran. Seemingly, Terah moved to Ur of the
Chaldees in his more youthful days. In addition, it become whilst he turned
into in Ur of the Chaldees that Nahor was born. So, the land of his nativity
also refers to Nahor and not to Terah.
Then eleven:29-30 goes on to deal with the better halves of Abram and
Nahor, with the wedding defined in verse 29: And Abram and Nahor took
them other halves: the call of Abram’s wife was Sarai. Sarai was the
daughter of Terah by way of a one of a kind wife than the mother of Abram,
and so she was Abram’s half of-sister. She was named after Sharrate, the
queen-spouse of the moon god Sin. The call of Nahor’s spouse was Milcah,
the daughter of Haran, meaning he married his niece. Haran became the
daddy of Milcah, and the father of Iscah, making each Milcah and Iscah
daughters of Haran, and in order that they had been sisters. It also way they
had been the sisters of Lot. Then verse 30 is going on to country Sarai’s
problem: And Sarai changed into barren; she had no baby, which units the
stage for the tale of Abraham and the key hassle of barrenness. Genesis
11:31 describes the journey from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran: And Terah
took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, that means
Terah’s grandson. Terah also took Sarai his daughter-in-law. At this factor,
she is simplest recognized as his daughter-in-law; even though it can be
talked about later, she turned into also his daughter. The starting place was:
and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, where Abram first
acquired his name. The vacation spot changed into meant to be: to enter the
land of Canaan. But, Terah did not know that the very last destination
became Canaan. That is stated from attitude of the author of Genesis,
because he knows what the complete story become by this time. What the
textual content implies, then, is that Abram had persuaded his father to take
the family out of Ur of the Chaldees and head for the land that God became
going to show him, which would have been the land of Canaan. However,
there's an interruption in the journey: and that they came unto Haran, and
dwelled there. Again, Haran changed into the circle of relatives’s authentic
domestic; and whilst Terah were given again to his original domestic, he did
now not want to leave it again and chose to go no in addition. Therefore, the
circle of relatives stayed in Haran until Terah died.
Then in 11:32 is the demise of Terah: And the days of Terah had been
hundred and 5 [205] years. And the region of dying changed into said: and
Terah died in Haran. What is not said within the text of Genesis eleven:27-32
is exactly when Abram left Haran for Canaan. Was it before or after his
father’s loss of life? How can the timeline for a chronology be positioned
collectively? The key pieces of data are Terah’s age at Abram’s birth,
Abram’s age upon leaving Haran for Canaan, and Terah’s age at his death.
Additionally relevant is Acts 7:4, which makes a connection with this
timeline. But, there appears to be a war between the courting inside the
Genesis and Acts bills, which additionally might be considered in this
discussion. The timeline desired in this observation is based totally on an
interpretation from the Masoretic text. Genesis 11:26 states that Terah,
Abram’s father, started to generate sons at age 70 (eleven:26). Assuming
that Abram became his firstborn, Terah could had been one hundred forty
five when Abram left Haran for Canaan, based totally on Abram’s age at that
time being 75 (12:four). Considering that 11:32 states Terah’s age at death
as 205, that would suggest that Abram left Haran sixty years earlier than his
father died.
Acts 7:4 gives an apparent contradiction to the view that Abram left Haran
earlier than his father died: Then came he [Abram] out of the land of the
Chaldeans, and dwelled in Haran: and from thence, whilst his father became
lifeless, God eliminated him into this land [Israel], in which ye now live. How
can this distinction be defined? The first alternative for explaining the
variations inside the bills in 11:27-32 and Acts 7:four is to mention that the
author of Genesis applied a literary method used somewhere else in the
Bible; namely, to dispense with one person who's now not applicable before
moving in advance with the story of the principle person. Therefore it turned
into important to speak of Terah’s loss of life earlier than Abram could move
ahead in response to God’s name on his lifestyles (12:1-3). In this state of
affairs, Abram isn't always viewed as the firstborn, however as a substitute
as having been born when his father Terah turned into 130 years old.
Therefore, Terah’s death at age 205 and Abram’s departure at age 75 might
coincide.
A second option for explaining the variations inside the timelines in Genesis
and Acts is to conclude that Abram changed into born when Terah became
70 and that Terah died at age 145, no longer 205. (See determine four,
backside timeline.) In other words, whilst Stephen states in Acts 7:four that
Abram left Haran after his father died, rather than before because the
Masoretic text shows, he changed into quoting from a source such as the
Samaritan text that offers a different timeline. This rationalization seems to
be supported more with the aid of proof than the option that Abram become
born later in his father’s existence. The difference among the chronologies
quantities to a complete of 60 years. See figures A-1 and A-2 in the Appendix
for two depicted genealogies of Terah.
The Abrahamic Covenant - 12:1-3
"Now Jehovah stated unto Abram, Get you out of your u . S . A ., and from
your kindred, and from your father’s residence, unto the land that i can show
you: and i'm able to make of you a superb kingdom, and i can bless you, and
make your name awesome; and be you a blessing; and i'm able to bless
them that bless you, and him that curses you may I curse: and in you shall
all of the households of the earth be blessed. "
Verse 1a begins with the opening assertion of God’s direct phrases to Abram:
Now Jehovah stated unto Abram. That is the first of seven times that
Abraham receives a right away revelation from God. In 12:1-three is God’s
preliminary call to Abram out of doors the Land of Canaan; in 12:7 is the first
appearance to Abraham inside the Land; in 13:14-17, Abraham encounters
God after the separation of Lot; in 15:1-21, God signs and symptoms and
seals the Abrahamic Covenant; in 17:1-21, Abraham receives the token of
the covenant; in 18:1-33, God speaks to him in conjunction with the
destruction of Sodom; and in 22:1-2 and 22:eleven-18, God directs Abraham
to offer Isaac. Within the starting word of 12:1 is the start of Abraham’s
friendship with God; Abraham is referred to as the buddy of God three times
(II Chron. 20:7, Isa. 41:8, Jas. 2:23). To summarize the chronology of Abram’s
reaction to God’s name: Abram received his call in Ur of the Chaldees, his
circle of relatives left Ur of the Chaldees for Canaan by way of manner of
Haran (11:31), but Terah stayed in the back of and died in Haran (eleven:32).
Abram persisted on to Canaan, both waiting till after his father had died (if
the Samaritan textual content is accurate) or leaving sixty years before his
father died (if the Masoretic textual content is accurate). In Genesis, Moses
tends to terminate the account of 1 character who is not germane to the
principle records earlier than persevering with with the foremost story line.
The shape of Genesis 12:1-3 within the Hebrew text is that of imperatives,
observed via 3 promises by using God.36 The structure goes some thing like
this: “You do one and i'm able to do 3; then in flip, you do one more
component, and i can do 3 extra matters.” There are three promises
primarily based on Abram’s call to go away Haran and three more promises
primarily based on his being a blessing. The phrase bless is used a general of
five times. God’s first command to Abram is in Genesis 12:1b: Get you, in
Hebrew lech lecha. It emphasizes a separation. Abraham is to separate from
his united states and to achieve this straight away. Literally, the Hebrew
states, “cross for your self,” which means “cross on your advantage.” The
blessing for Abram will best begin upon arriving in the Land. Other locations
in which this same terminology structure is used include Genesis 21:sixteen,
concerning Hagar’s separation from Ishmael; Genesis 22:2, wherein Abraham
is advised to go to a mountain that God will inform him of; Exodus 18:27,
about Jethro’s separation from Moses to head domestic; Joshua 22:4, to the
Trans-Jordanian Tribes about to break away the others; 1 Samuel 26:11-12,
of David’s separation from Saul; Jeremiah five:5, of Jeremiah’s separation
from the human beings; song of Solomon 2:10, 2:13; and 5:6, the separation
of the lover from the beloved; track of Solomon 4:6, the separation of the
mountain; and the track of Solomon 2:eleven, about the rainy season
departing from the Land.
Parting from the Land. The specifics of this separation are given as follows.
First, God directs Abram to exit of your u . S . A . Both from Ur and from
Haran; second, from your kindred, away from your fellow citizens and
faraway from your prolonged own family; 0.33, from your father’s house,
away from the immediate family (and when you consider that Terah will go
best as some distance as Haran, this will become vital); and fourth, it is a
separation from the lesser to the greater and from distance to nearness in
region. Abram will pass from the lesser to the extra in that he could be
setting apart from the least essential vicinity to the only this is the most
critical. It's miles difficult to leave one’s u . S . Wherein all one’s institutions
and pals are. It's far even tougher to go away fellow citizens. It is even
harder to depart one’s own family. The destination is given as: unto the land
that i can display you. The promise to this point is only to be shown a land;
nothing more than that is promised at this level. Moreover, upon leaving
Haran, Abram did now not recognize he become heading for Canaan (Heb.
Eleven:eight).
Following the first command, Genesis 12:1b-2a contains the first three
promises. First is: i can make of you a extremely good country. In Hebrew it's
miles goy gadol. Normally the word goy refers to a Gentile; but now and
then, it's far used of Israel as a country. The first promise is to make of
Abram one unique state. Consequently, further to the seventy nations of
Genesis 10, there will now be one additional nation, and that nation is Israel.
2nd is: i will bless you, which means God will bless Abram. Those benefits
upon Abram covered each material and religious blessings. Third is: i can…
make your call brilliant. Abram37 turned into to come to be famous, and he's
to at the moment; three of the world’s religions honor him to a lesser or
extra degree: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Consequently, what the
builders of the Tower of Babel desired for themselves (11:4), a wonderful
name, is something that God now promised personally to Abram. In Genesis
12:2b is the second one commandment: Be you a blessing. On account that
Abram is to be blessed by God, as contained in the first 3 guarantees, he's
now to end up a blessing to others. God will bless individuals who are
uncovered to Abram in a high-quality way, inclusive of Melchizedek, who
obtained from Abram a tithe of the spoils of struggle.
Then in 12:three are the second one 3 promises. The first promise is: i'm
able to bless them that bless you; so folks who bless Abram can be blessed.
This will later make bigger to the country of Israel: folks that bless the Jews
may be blessed (Num. 24:nine). The second promise is: Him that curses you
may I curse. Therefore, people who curse Abram might be cursed; and
indeed people who curse the Jews will be cursed (Num. 24:9). The primary
word for curse is kalal, which means that “to treat lightly,” “to preserve in
contempt,” or “to curse.” To simply treat Abram and the Jews lightly is to
incur the curse of God. The second phrase for curse used on this phrase (him
that curses you will I curse) is aor, from the Hebrew root arah, which means
“to impose a barrier,” “to ban.” That is a much stronger word for curse than
the first one in the phrase. Altogether, there are 3 dynamic modifications in
12:3. First, the quantity of members modifications from plural, them,
regarding blessings to singular, him, regarding curses. 2d, vocabulary
modifications from a weaker word for curse to a more potent word for curse.
1/3: The language modifications from a cohortative to an compulsory
imperfect that means “the only who treats you lightly, I must curse.”
Therefore, even a light curse against Abram or against the Jews will deliver a
heavier curse from God. The 1/3 promise is that in you shall all the families
of the earth be blessed. Abram is to emerge as a channel of blessing to the
entire global. This promise of spiritual blessing will amplify to the Gentiles;
they're the ones to whom Abram will be a blessing. This is the one promise
that is going beyond Israel and is reaffirmed in the Abrahamic Covenant
greater than as soon as: to Abraham in Genesis 22:18, to Isaac in 26:4, and
to Jacob in 28:14. This blessing to the international locations is to be finished
via the Messianic Seed of Abraham because, as the prophets pointed out, it
will likely be via the Messiah that the Gentiles will get hold of their religious
benefits (Isa. 42:1, forty two:6, 49:five-6; Amos nine:eleven-12).
Observations on the primary 3 verses can be made. First is the principle of
election, in that God selected Abram to father the decide on kingdom. In
addition, whilst Abram changed into elected in my view, the country wide
election of Israel additionally starts. Second is the usage of the number
seven. Seven statements of benevolence comply with the command to
Abram. As some distance as New testament quotations and applications, 3
matters can be referred to: first, Genesis 12:1 is quoted by way of Stephen in
Acts 7:3; Genesis 12:3 is quoted through Peter in Acts 3:25, wherein Peter is
speakme to the Jews. Paul additionally costs Genesis 12:3 in Galatians
three:eight.
The journey into the Land - 12:4-9
"So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him:
and Abram become seventy and 5 years antique while he departed out of
Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their
substance that they had collected, and the souls that they had gotten in
Haran; and that they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the
land of Canaan they came. And Abram handed through the land unto the
place of Shechem, unto the o.k.of Moreh. And the Canaanite turned into then
in the land. And Jehovah seemed unto Abram, and said, Unto your seed will I
give this land: and there builded he an altar unto Jehovah, who regarded
unto him. And he eliminated from thence unto the mountain on the east of
Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el at the west, and Ai at the east:
and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and known as upon the name of
Jehovah. And Abram journeyed, going on nevertheless towards the South. "
Verse 4a starts offevolved with Abram’s obedience: So Abram went, as
Jehovah had spoken unto him. The factor of this word is that Abram’s
obedience turned into instant, and it became an act of religion (Heb. 11:8). It
became this obedience that rendered unconditional all of the guarantees of
verses 1-3; as soon as he met this circumstance of leaving, the whole lot else
have become unconditional, due to the fact that he fulfilled the handiest
circumstance that had been given. The shape of verses four-5 follows the
sample of departure: So-and-so, who is the head of the circle of relatives,
took so-and-so, who's a member of the family, and they accrued such-and-
such, which includes possessions inclusive of Lot, and went. This same shape
is determined in 11:31, 36:6, and forty six:5-6. Outdoor of Genesis, this
shape is found in Exodus 19:2-four. Genesis 12:4b-5a records Abram’s actual
departure from Haran, including: and Lot went with him. There's not
anything bad right here. A few commentators condemn Abram for allowing
Lot to come back, because it disobeyed the separation from the circle of
relatives rule. But, the commandment to Abram was to separate from his
circle of relatives in Haran, and if contributors of the circle of relatives chose
to go with him, there was not anything incorrect. Abram’s age is stated: and
Abram become seventy and 5 [75] years antique whilst he departed out of
Haran. At some point of the account of Abraham, his age is usually given at
precise turning points of his life. The text mentions those who accompanied
Abram: And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their
substance that they'd collected, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran.
These souls could be slaves or servants, including Eliezer of Damascus. In
keeping with rabbinic culture, those were the proselytes of Abram. The
departure and the arrival of Abram and his entourage are said clearly: and
they went to go forth into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan
they got here.
Genesis 12:6-9 facts Abram’s sojournings in the Land, starting in verses 6-7
with Shechem, with verse 6 emphasizing the area: And Abram surpassed via
the land. Geographically, he would have gone thru Wadi Faria to Shechem,
specially, unto the all rightof Moreh, which puts them out of doors the pagan
metropolis of Shechem. The Hebrew word for oak, eilon, is regularly
translated as terebinth, and just as regularly, it refers to a place of idolatry.
The two Hebrew phrases Eilon Moreh collectively suggest the “Terebinth of
the trainer,” which turned into virtually a center of the Canaanite teaching of
the oracles. The okayof Moreh has a history in Scripture: in Genesis 35:four,
this is where Jacob’s family will bury their idols; in Deuteronomy 11:30, it's
far recognized with Shechem; in Joshua 24:26, Joshua laid a huge stone right
here; in Judges 9:6, this is in which Abimelech became made king; and, in
Judges nine:37, it's far called the “Terebinth of the Diviner.” The all rightof
Moreh became linked with Canaanite paganism, Canaanite idolatry, and
occult practices. It's far in this area that Abram selected to first erect his
tent. Then the verse states: And the Canaanite became then in the land. The
Canaanites are the antagonists. The Land became promised to Abram, but at
that time it became occupied via others. These “others” were pagans, and
that they had been perverse in their reasonings and practices. It was they
who practiced the oracles of Eilon Moreh, not Abram. Abram had no longer
emerge as absorbed by way of the Canaanites, nor had he come to worship
their gods. He become there however did no longer participate in any of the
paganism. Upon his arrival at Canaan, in Genesis 12:7a, Abram received the
primary reaffirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant: And Jehovah seemed unto
Abram. This became God’s 2nd look to him. This time it is inside the form of
a theophany, due to the fact here it makes use of the phrase Jehovah
regarded unto, a word a good way to arise extra and greater times in the e
book of Genesis (17:1; 18:1; 26:2, 24; 35:9). What God declared on this
reaffirmation turned into: Unto your seed will I supply this land. At this factor,
the Land is promised to the seed of Abram; the promise of the Land does
now not yet consist of Abram. This makes the first time God spoke to him in
the border of the Promised Land.
Genesis 12:7b gives Abram’s response: There builded he an altar unto
Jehovah. The word there way close to Shechem by using the o.k.of Moreh.
Therefore, in contrast to a pagan oracle, there stood an altar to the true God
constructed by means of Abram. The reason he constructed it there is that
God appeared to him there. While this turned into the second one divine
revelation that had come to Abram, this is the first appearance of God to
Abram, possibly in a vision. With this event, the constructing of altars have
become a patricharical habit (12:eight, thirteen:18, 22:nine, 26:25, 33:20,
35:7).
In 12:8, Abram actions from Shechem to Bethel: And he eliminated from
thence, that means from Shechem, unto the mountain at the east of Beth-el,
and pitched his tent between the two towns. He therefore became simply
separated from both towns: Beth-el changed into on the west facet of him
and Ai on the east facet of him. Moreover, Abram’s movements in Beth-el
blanketed two things: constructing and worshipping. First, he builded an altar
unto Jehovah, for sacrificial functions. 2nd, he called upon the name of
Jehovah, a phrase that means public worship; with this, he initiated public
worship within the Land. In 12:9, Abram makes a 3rd geographical flow: And
Abraham journeyed, occurring nevertheless closer to the South, meaning the
Negev. This is the Negev wasteland inside the southern part of the Land. This
causes an even extra separation from the population from the Land, as the
Negev become very moderately settled compared to the Hill usa wherein
Shechem, Bethel, and Ai had been placed.
Four observations can be made regarding this section. First, Abram’s
movement is north to south alongside the trunk course, the watershed
avenue of the primary Hill u . S ., which later have become the Hill countries
of Ephraim and Judah. Through so doing, he was staking out a claim to the
complete Land. 2d, these sojournings inside the Land had been an act of
faith because it was land that he did now not own but traveled in, displaying
his religion in God’s promises (Heb. 11:nine). Third, there has been no
contact with the Canaanites; Abram is shown as wandering from place to
area. He lives along the border or near inhabited areas in Canaan, however
he does no longer circulate in or live amongst them. Fourth, the use of the
quantity seven once more plays a role. Abram’s call seems seven times in
this section; and the word “land” seems seven times. As far as New
testomony quotations and applications are concerned, Genesis 12:4, which
suggests Abram’s obedience, is emphasized in Acts 7:three and Hebrews
eleven:eight. Abram’s faith as verified by way of his sojournings is spelled
out in Hebrews 11:9.
The Sojourn in Egypt - 12:10-20
"And there has been a famine inside the land: and Abram went down into
Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine changed into sore within the land. And
it came to bypass, when he had come close to to go into into Egypt, that he
said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I recognise which you are a honest girl
to appearance upon: and it will come to pass, whilst the Egyptians shall see
you, that they'll say, that is his spouse: and they'll kill me, however they may
prevent alive. Say, I pray you, you're my sister; that it is able to be well with
me on your sake, and that my soul may additionally live because of you. And
it got here to pass, that, when Abram had come into Egypt, the Egyptians
beheld the lady that she changed into very honest. And the princes of
Pharaoh noticed her, and praised her to Pharaoh: and the girl changed into
taken into Pharaoh’s residence. And he dealt properly with Abram for her
sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, and men-servants, and
maid-servants, and he or she-asses, and camels. And Jehovah plagued
Pharaoh and his residence with exquisite plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s
wife. And Pharaoh referred to as Abram, and stated, what's this that you
have got done unto me? Why did you not tell me that she became your
spouse? Why did you are saying, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my
wife? Now therefore behold your wife, take her, and cross your way. And
Pharaoh gave guys rate regarding him: and that they introduced him at the
way, and his spouse, and all that he had. "
This phase deals with Abram’s sojourn down into Egypt, with verse 10 giving
the reason: And there has been a famine in the land. At this time, Abram’s
religion was not mature to the factor that he knew he ought to agree with
God underneath any situations. Having heard that the famine did now not
have an effect on the land of Egypt, he chose to head down there.
Consequently, the end result was: Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn
there. The Hebrew phrase for sojourn means “temporary residence.” It
suggests that Abram’s purpose become to reside in Egypt briefly till the
famine in the Land of Canaan had handed; he did no longer intend to
establish permanent residence in Egypt. However, his religion did no longer
operate right here. Due to a lapse in his religion, he departed from the Land,
the Land God had led him to. Over again, the cause is stated: for the famine
become sore in the land, which intensifies the primary announcement of the
lifestyles of the famine. Archeology has established what is described on this
verse, because art work in the Tomb of Khnun-hotep III in Beni Hagan, which
dates lower back to the time of Sesostris II (1897-1878 B.C.), show the arrival
of thirty-seven Asiatic guys, girls, and kids in the same term of Abram. Thus,
Egypt often skilled migrations of Asiatics into Egypt, specially in times of
famine.
Verses eleven-thirteen record Abram’s lie, with verse 11a giving the
scenario: It came to pass, while he had come near to enter into Egypt. Abram
now came near the Egyptian border. Verse 11b makes a speciality of Sarai’s
beauty: that he said unto Sarai his spouse, Behold now, I recognise that you
are a honest female to look upon. The Hebrew literally reads “of stunning
look.” This is extra special in mild of the reality that she became 65 years
antique at this time. Though, in light of her longevity, she manifestly elderly
at a slower pace than human beings do now. Abram’s worry is spelled out in
verse 12: and it will come to bypass, when the Egyptians shall see you,
meaning they may see her splendor, that they will say, that is his wife. This
is not merely a assertion of truth. The very announcement, that is his
spouse, mechanically will become a risk to the life of Abram. As the files also
display, Egyptians of this era had been well-known for wife abduction. The
result might be: they will kill me, however they will save you alive.
Consequently, Abram’s initial lapse of religion, which brought on them to
leave Canaan for Egypt, now results in the concern associated with self-
upkeep. That, in turn, results in the conspiracy of verse 13. Abram’s request
was: Say, I pray you, you are my sister; and this is indeed half of actual, but
it's far still a lie due to the fact its intent is to cover something. However, if
Abram is befell as her brother only, he would be the one to negotiate for her
in any marriage proposal. All through the negotiations procedure, he could
have time to get away. The reason she is to do what she does is: that it may
be well with me on your sake, which means Abram’s excellent will is for
Sarai’s advantage, and that my soul may stay because of you, that he may
live alive. Therefore, his fear now caused residing a lie.
Furthermore, certainly, Abram’s worst fears are realized in Genesis 12:14-16
with the taking of Sarai. Verse 14 again focuses on the beauty of Sarai, and
the timing was: And it got here to skip, that, whilst Abram had come into
Egypt, this is, after he entered the u . S . A ., the result become: the
Egyptians beheld the girl that she became very fair.
The Hebrew way “very stunning,” and the word the Egyptians means the
humans in general. Rashi claims that Abram concealed Sarai in a chest
however changed into found on the border crossing point after they checked
customs.38 but it happened, in 12:15, she ended up as a part of Pharaoh’s
harem. The means changed into: The princes of Pharaoh noticed her. Her
recognition went from the commonplace humans to the authorities officials,
and these governmental officers praised her to Pharaoh. Right here is the
first use of the Hebrew word halal, which means “to praise.” Sarai were given
Pharaoh’s attention due to the princes’ reward of her. The result changed
into: and the girl changed into taken into Pharaoh’s house. Pharaoh, being
Pharaoh, did now not want to bargain; and so the motion of taking Sarai
turned into immediately. This shows that Abram’s fear became certainly
affordable. However, on account that there has been no negotiation period,
he did no longer have the opportunity to get away. As a end result, Abram
had located the ancestry of the Jewish people in risk and had endangered the
promises of the Abrahamic Covenant for the reason that seed could come
best through Sarai and no different. But, Pharaoh does comply with the usual
custom of that day in that he's greater than inclined to pay the bride rate. In
12:sixteen: He dealt well with Abram for her sake. The ancient regulation
codes state that if the daddy was useless, the brother turned into the legal
father or mother of an single sister. For the reason that Abram have been
happened strictly as her brother, Pharaoh paid to Abram the bride charge.
That is rather ironic in light of Abram’s fear in 12:13, wherein he stated: that
it can be properly with me on your sake. Now, Pharaoh dealt well with Abram
for her sake. There's irony between these verses. Abram turned into
enriched for Sarai’s sake, and the list includes a general of seven matters:
sheep, and oxen, and he-asses, which means male donkeys, men-servants,
and maid-servants, and she or he-asses, meaning female donkeys, and
camels. Three observations can be made right here. First, this suggests that
prosperity does no longer robotically mean divine blessing on right action
due to the fact right here the prosperity become received via subterfuge.
God had promised to bless Abram as part of an unconditional covenant; and
so even when Abram fails, God nevertheless fulfills His guarantees. Second,
this growth in Abram’s animal wealth, the sheep, the oxen, the he-asses, the
she-asses, and the camels, will lead to the warfare with Lot inside the
subsequent bankruptcy. 1/3, Abram received a variety of maid-servants.
Later there might be a focus on one unique maid-servant named Hagar, who
was an Egyptian. In the context of Genesis, the handiest place that he could
are becoming an Egyptian handmaid is on this chapter. This, in turn, units
the level for the struggle between Sarai and Hagar in chapter 16, the warfare
between Isaac and Ishmael in bankruptcy 21, and the Jewish/Arab struggle
that is continuing to this very day.
Genesis 12:17 describes the judgment of God. The fault here turned into now
not entirely at the a part of the king of Egypt. He had no way of knowing that
Sarai turned into Abram’s wife. However, due to the unconditional nature of
the Abrahamic Covenant, God will interfere to satisfy His covenantal
guarantees, although the covenanted one won't be thoroughly righteous.
Therefore, the judgment of God falls not on Abram but on Pharaoh.
Moreover, the act of God is: Jehovah plagued Pharaoh and his house with
super plagues; and He plagued in areas: on Pharaoh and on Pharaoh’s
residence. In addition, in the Hebrew textual content, the emphasis is at the
severity of these plagues. This is the primary example of the outworking of
the cursing factor of the Abrahamic Covenant. The textual content does not
kingdom exactly what those plagues have been, however according to
rabbinic subculture, they had been leprosy.39 in line with Rashi, the plagues
have been a debilitating pores and skin disorder that made sexual sex
impossible. The purpose for theses plagues became: because of Sarai,
Abram’s wife. Due to the fact by taking Sarai away, Pharaoh had cursed
Abram, and so Pharaoh and his whole house have been affected by the
plague. However, Sarai remained untouched, giving Pharaoh the clue as to
the reason of the plagues. Abram ought to research that he survives not by
way of human approach, as he concept, but via divine covenantal safety. It is
God Who intervenes to keep the scenario and no longer Abram. Although it
became Abram who sinned, God nevertheless intervenes due to the fact the
Abrahamic Covenant is certainly unconditional.
Genesis 12:18-20 details Pharaoh’s response. In verse 18a is the summons of
Abram: And Pharaoh called Abram. Again, through the plagues, Pharaoh
turned into capable of determine the problem. Possibly by means of now
Sarai may have confessed, or possibly it changed into found out by using
divine revelation, as will be the case in a comparable scenario with
Abimelech (20:3). In 12:18b-19, Abram suffers Pharaoh’s rebuke in the shape
of 3 questions. First: what's this which you have performed unto me?
Pharaoh has suffered significantly because of Abram’s lie. For Pharaoh, it
turned into a sin of lack of awareness, but it turned into inexcusable
nonetheless. 2d: Why did you now not inform me that she became your wife?
This became the truth that was hidden. Third: Why did you are saying, She is
my sister, so I took her to be my wife? The rationale turned into to make her
the royal wife, but via God’s providence, the plagues struck earlier than any
sexual union clearly passed off. Pharaoh concluded with the go back of Sarai
and with an expulsion order: Now therefore behold your wife, take her, move
your manner, to leave Egypt. Under ordinary circumstances, Pharaoh should
have had Abram accomplished. But Pharaoh had experienced the strength at
the back of Abram, and so Pharaoh is not about to move any in addition than
he already has. Genesis 12:20 information the belief of the incident with the
royal escort. Pharaoh’s instructions have been: And Pharaoh gave men price
concerning him. The result became: and they delivered him at the manner.
Abram turned into escorted and expelled out of the land of Egypt with his
spouse, who changed into the important thing to this occasion, and all that
he had, meaning his new wealth. Consequently, Abram left Egypt a richer
man than whilst he came, as thirteen:1 shows. Lot went with Abram down to
Egypt, and he again to Canaan with Abram as well.
The key commentary here is that indeed the Abrahamic Covenant has now
begun to work in earnest: Pharaoh turned into cursed for cursing Abram, and
Abram become blessed in spite of his incorrect moves. This all shows
evidence that the covenant changed into unconditional.
The Separation from Lot - 13:1-18
The Separation - 13:1-13
"And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his spouse, and all that he had,
and Lot with him, into the South. And Abram turned into very rich in cattle, in
silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the South even to Beth-
el, unto the vicinity in which his tent were on the starting, between Beth-el
and Ai, unto the area of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and
there Abram referred to as on the name of Jehovah. And Lot additionally,
who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land
changed into no longer capable of endure them, that they could stay
together: for his or her substance become outstanding, so that they couldn't
stay collectively. And there was a strife among the herdsmen of Abram’s
farm animals and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock: and the Canaanite and the
Perizzite dwelled then inside the land. And Abram said unto Lot, allow there
be no strife, I pray you, between me and you, and between my herdsmen
and your herdsmen; for we're brethren. Is no longer the whole land before
you? Separate your self, I pray you, from me. If you may take the left hand,
then i will go to the right. Or in case you take the proper hand, then i will go
to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of the Jordan,
that it become well watered every wherein, earlier than Jehovah destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, just like the land of Egypt,
as you cross unto Zoar. So Lot selected him all the plain of the Jordan; and
Lot journeyed east: and that they separated themselves the only from the
opposite. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities
of the undeniable, and moved his tent as some distance as Sodom. Now the
men of Sodom had been wicked and sinners towards Jehovah highly. "
Verses 1-4 deal with the sojournings of Abram, with verses 1-2 describing the
section of the country from which they initially left: the Negev. Verse 1
makes a speciality of the return: And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and
his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him. This indicates that Lot did go
down with him to Egypt, despite the fact that he turned into not mentioned
in the account in Genesis 12. They returned into the South, which means the
Negev, the place from which Abram had left for Egypt (12:9). Verse 2
summarizes his wealth: And Abram become very wealthy, the primary
mention of wealth in the Bible. He became wealthy in three areas: in
livestock, much of which he won in Egypt, in silver, and in gold.
Consequently, Abram has begun experiencing the material wealth promised
to him within the Abrahamic Covenant. Then verses three-four cross on to
the subsequent geographical vicinity, which turned into Bethel, with verse
three handling the go back to Bethel. It states: he went on his journeys,
meaning he left the Negev, the South, from the dry desert, even to Beth-el,
to the significant Hill u . S . A ., which was more effective. The text then
provides: wherein his tent have been at the beginning and that beginning
turned into in 12:eight. This changed into a geographical go back. However,
in verse four, it's also a spiritual return, to a place of dedication or re-
commitment: unto the vicinity of the altar, which he had made there at the
first, as recorded again in 12:eight; and there Abram known as at the name
of Jehovah. This became the place wherein Abram had all started public
worship, and now public worship is resumed. For that reason, Abram
renewed his dedication to the Lord after his failure in Egypt.
Genesis 13:5-7 offers with the strife between Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen,
beginning in verse 5 describing the reputation of Lot. Lot observed Abram:
Lot also, who went with Abram, and as a ways as his possessions have been
worried, Lot additionally had flocks, and herds, and tents. The point out of
tents method he additionally had a large slave organization and servants,
because the numerous tents could have accommodated lots extra than his
on the spot own family. The textual content does now not declare that Lot
become as rich as Abram, but he had his very own possessions, and Abram’s
growth in wealth did not assist the situation. Right here once more is the
outworking of the Abrahamic Covenant in that Lot turned into being blessed
due to his courting to Abram. Then came the hassle of verse 6: The land
changed into not able to undergo them, which means there was inadequate
pasture. That wondering would possibly appear peculiar simply in phrases of
the amount of territory around them, however the actual free territory that
was no longer controlled by the numerous metropolis-states of Canaan could
have been minimum. They have been not able to graze their animals simply
anywhere they desired to. The town-states controlled a certain amount of
territory for their very own residents, and therefore nomads like Abram and
Lot had to make use of impartial land, which was restricted. Indeed,
depending at the time of year, the quantity of grass available may had been
even extra minimum if the battle befell in the direction of the give up of the
dry season. The result of all this became: The land become now not capable
to undergo them; there has been inadequate pasture to keep grazing aspect
by using aspect. The motive became: for their substance become awesome,
which covered the tremendous wealth that become received in Egypt, and
the result became: in order that they couldn't dwell together. The 2 large
agencies ought to now not stay off the equal area aspect by aspect. This
caused the war of 13:7: And there was a strife between the herdsmen of
Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Then the writer gives a
cause. Though it appears to be a passing announcement, it absolutely offers
the reason why there was a lack of to be had land: and the Canaanite and
the Perizzite dwelled then within the land. This was the key cause for the
crowded circumstance. The time period Canaanite was a general term for the
inhabitants of the land, whilst the Perizzite turned into a particular Canaanite
tribe in this unique part of Canaan in which this strife took place. The strife
turned into not private between Abram and Lot, however among the two sets
of herdsmen looking out for their lords’ welfare.
Genesis 13:8-9 presents Abram’s provide. In verse eight, Abram initiated the
provide: And Abram stated unto Lot. Abram’s choice turned into: let there be
no strife, I pray you. The Hebrew word for strife is merivah, the equal word
used of the strife within the desert Wanderings (Exod. 17:7; Num. 20:13,
20:24, 27:14; ps. Eighty one:7, ninety five:eight). Whilst in Exodus, Numbers,
and the Psalms the word merivah have become a technical call for a
particular area inside the Sinai desert, right here the word is used merely as
a descriptive time period for what goes on: permit there be no strife, I pray
you, among me and also you—that is no non-public strife—and between my
herdsmen and your herdsmen, between the 2 sets of personnel. The motive
that there need to be no strife changed into: for we are brethren, in that Lot
become the son of Abram’s brother; he turned into Abram’s nephew. In verse
nine, Abram gave Lot the first preference with the question: isn't the whole
land before you? The solution to this rhetorical query changed into glaringly
“yes.” The phrase, earlier than you, meant Abram become giving Lot the
primary preference. The request became separate your self, I pray you, from
me. The choice turned into: If you'll take the left hand, then i can go to the
proper; or in case you take the proper hand, then i can visit the left. The
comparison was this: Abram had wealth, but the wealth did not have Abram;
Lot additionally had wealth, and the wealth had Lot. Both men have been
rich, and both guys had cloth possessions; however there was a difference in
outlook between the two guys. Abram had wealth, however he became now
not controlled by way of the wealth and did no longer need to maintain the
wealth at any fee. Lot additionally had wealth, and he was more
materialistically minded than Abram was.
Choice is made in verses 10-11a, starting with the reality: And Lot lifted up
his eyes, to get a good look, to look which manner changed into better for
him. Similarly, as he surveyed the territory from in which they were status,
he had a good view of the obvious of the Jordan. The Hebrew phrase surely
manner the “Circle of the Jordan.” Lot observed it became nicely watered
each wherein, and the reason it appeared so accurate in comparison to what
it's far today is due to the fact this was earlier than Jehovah destroyed
Sodom and Gomorrah. At the same time as now it is a dry, thirsty, salty
desolate tract, then it become just like the lawn of Jehovah, that means it
turned into like the garden of Eden, which turned into well watered since it
had the four rivers going for walks via it. Furthermore, it was like the land of
Egypt, as you cross unto Zoar, which is inside the Nile Delta location, also
very well watered. So the preference that Lot made changed into: So Lot
chose him all the apparent of the Jordan. He made the choice considering
himself, no longer considering Abram; whereas Abram let Lot make the first
choice, for the reason that he turned into considering Lot and not about
himself. Genesis 13:11b-12 data Lot’s departure, with verse 11b marking the
separation: and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the only
from the opposite. Verse 12 is going on to detail the separation. Regarding
Abram: Abram dwelled within the land of Canaan, in the center of Canaanite
territory, where he had to make use of the limited neutral grazing territory.
Concerning Lot: Lot dwelled inside the towns of the plain, and moved his tent
as some distance as Sodom. At this factor, Lot became nonetheless a
nomadic tent dweller, residing at the brink of the town-country of Sodom.
The segment closes with 13:thirteen giving the divine assessment of Sodom:
Now the men of Sodom have been depraved. The Hebrew word for wicked
describes external wickedness. It goes on to country they have been sinners
in opposition to Jehovah highly. The Hebrew way “very sinners.” Moreover,
they have been “very sinners” against Jehovah, meaning God become angry.
At this factor, there may be no indication in the textual content that Lot was
privy to this. There's also a parallel here with the account of Noah. In both
instances there is a subject of intense wickedness (6:5, eight:21), and this
corruption had to be worn out (6:12-thirteen, 19:13). In each money owed, it
become one person and circle of relatives that turned into spared. Lot’s
circulate to Sodom sets the level for the occasions of chapters 14 and 18-19.
Earlier than leaving the dialogue of Abram and Lot’s separation, it ought to
be stated that Lot’s progression and affiliation went thru five steps. First, he
seemed in the direction of Sodom and could see what desirable territory that
changed into (thirteen:10). 2nd, he chose the place of Sodom
(thirteen:eleven). 1/3, he pitched his tent close to Sodom (thirteen:12); and
at this factor, he turned into outdoor the town, nevertheless residing the
lifestyles of a nomad simply as in advance Abram was out of doors Shechem
and outdoor Bethel. Fourth, Lot lived in Sodom (Gene. 14:11-12, II puppy.
2:7-eight); and fifth, he sat at the Gate of Sodom, which means he have
become a citizen of the town, and he became an elder of the city (19:1).
The Abrahamic Covenant - 13:14-17
"And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, carry
up now your eyes, and look from the vicinity where you're, northward and
southward and eastward and westward: for all of the land which you spot, to
you'll I deliver it, and for your seed for ever. And i can make your seed
because the dirt of the earth: so that if a person can number the dust of the
earth, then might also your seed additionally be numbered. Stand up, walk
through the land inside the duration of it and inside the breadth of it; for
unto you will I give it."
This reaffirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant started out with the arrival of
the phrase of God in verse 14a: And Jehovah stated unto Abram. That is the
second reconfirmation of the Abrahamic Covenant, and the timing was after
that Lot become separated from him, after Lot took the nice a part of the
land for himself. This changed into the 1/3 time the phrase of God got here
to Abram, the 0.33 time he received direct revelation from God.
In Genesis 13:14b-15, Abram received the promise of the Land. The promise
started with the preparation: elevate up now your eyes. At God’s command,
Abram became to take an amazing take a look at the Land just as Lot in
advance in verse 10 took a terrific study the Land. While Lot did it on his
personal initiative for his personal self-interest, Abram changed into
instructed to do it through God, and only then did he achieve this. The
Hebrew textual content adds the word na, which is translated as I pray you,
or “please.” The usage of the phrase na is commonplace at some point of the
antique testomony and appears approximately sixty instances in the e book
of Genesis on my own. However, inside the old testament, it is used handiest
4 times while God is addressing a man, and in every case, the usage of na
has to do with some thing beyond human know-how. The first use is right
here in verse 14: na, to raise up his eyes to get a terrific study the Land due
to the fact Abram might be given the Land. The second one time it seems is
in Genesis 15:5, with the promise that he could have a son regardless of his
antique age. The 1/3 time, in Genesis 22:2, Take now your son, na, he's
directed to sacrifice Isaac. The fourth time, in Exodus 11:2, na, the children
of Israel are to invite the Egyptians for a gift. Of those 4 instances where the
well mannered word na seems, 3 of these times God addresses Abram
specifically. Now, na, appearance from the region where you are. That is the
same region from wherein Lot looked. All that Abram sees is what Lot
already saw. Abram became informed to look inside the four guidelines:
northward and southward and eastward and westward. The Hebrew word for
northward is the usual word for the north. The Hebrew word for southward
manner “in the direction of the Negev,” that is in the South. The Hebrew
word for eastward means “in the direction of the sun-rising.” The Hebrew
word for westward manner “towards the sea,” meaning toward the
Mediterranean Sea, that is on the west facet of the Land. Then God promises
Abram: all the land that you see, which includes all 4 directions, as well as
the very vicinity Lot chose to go, the Circle of the Jordan. The whole lot
Abram noticed now have become Abram’s by divine furnish: To you will I
deliver it, and for your seed. The Land promise has been prolonged: To you
will I provide it, which means the Land is now also promised to Abram for my
part, no longer just to Abram’s descendants; Abram himself is someday to
personal this Land. In the case of Abram, he waited for God to give it;
however Lot took it for himself. Then God introduced: and in your seed,
reaffirming a promise already made earlier. It'll no longer receive to Lot’s
seed but to Abram’s seed, to the Jewish human beings. Furthermore, it
become to accept for ever, in Hebrew, ad olam; literally, “for an age,” due to
the fact it is for the duration of the Messianic Age that Abram and Abram’s
seed will experience all the Promised Land.
In Genesis 13:16, God’s promise further expands on Abram’s seed: And i can
make your seed because the dirt of the earth: so that if a person can wide
variety the dust of the earth, then may also your seed additionally be
numbered, a promise that the descendants of Abram becomes innumerable.
In 13:17, the promise that the Land is to accept to Abram is restated. Once
again, Abram gets coaching: stand up, walk through the land. Abram was
now informed to take the primary ever Holy Land tour; and furthermore, he
turned into to walk in the duration of it (north and south) and inside the
breadth of it (east and west). This manner, he could get to recognize the
Land very well. As he walked via the Land, he took physical ownership of the
Land, prophetically speaking, considering the fact that he did no longer get
to own the Land in his lifetime; however he'll personal the Land in the
Messianic country. The cause for the coaching to stroll the Land is due to the
fact: unto you'll I supply it. Again, the promise is affirmed that Abram himself
is to own the Land, and not only his seed. It's miles verses like this that end
up completely meaningless within the amillennial view of the give up times,
which translates the Land promise as nothing extra than a image of Heaven.
Any such view, which denies that a literal thousand-year reign of Messiah at
the earth is prophesied with the aid of the Bible, renders verses inclusive of
13:17 totally nonsensical. Is God asking Abram right here to return as much
as Heaven and take a look around to look if he likes it because someday he
is going to get to own Heaven? This is rarely the which means of the textual
content. The textual content is manifestly talking approximately a piece of
real property upon which he became dwelling at that point. He became
instructed to walk round with his ft all over the Land, due to the fact at some
point he turned into going to possess it. A view like this cannot just be
spiritualized away in an effort to make it suit a preconceived theology. No
question, the New Testament teaches Abram also looked for a town, a
heavenly one; but one thing does now not contradict the alternative or
cancel out the alternative. It isn't always “either/or” but “each/and.” Abram
was promised each a physical inheritance on earth as well as a spiritual one
in Heaven.
The Sojourn to Hebron - 13:18
"And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelled by the o.k. Of Mamre,
which might be in Hebron, and built an altar unto Jehovah."
The phrases, Abram moved his tent, indicates he endured residing a
nomadic existence fashion, although for the first time, he had been promised
real possession of the Land. However, never possessing the Land in his
lifetime, his nomadic questioning continued: and [Abram] came and dwelled
via the very well of Mamre. Right here once more, it means the “Terebinths
of Mamre.” Just like the region outdoor of Shechem, it turned into a center of
pagan worship outdoor the town of Hebron. The name Mamre changed into
so named after its authentic proprietor, Mamre the Amorite (14:thirteen). It
will likely be from right here that Abram will later plead for the sparing of
Sodom (18:1). Close by this location were the sphere and the Cave of
Machpelah, which will become the burial region of the Patriarchs (23:17-19).
The assertion: which can be in Hebron, suggests Abram nevertheless stayed
outside however near the city, because it turned into with Shechem, and as
it turned into with Bethel. Hebron become no longer the unique name of the
city. The original call become Kiryat Arba, which means “the metropolis of
the four,” however it become later renamed Hebron, from the Hebrew
phrase which means “friend.” This was the new name given to Kiryat Arba.
Hebron changed into named after Abram, who changed into the friend of
God (II Chron. 20:7, Isa. 41:eight, Jas. 2:23). Right here additionally: He built
an altar unto Jehovah by the alright of Mamre. Again, Abram built a real altar
in a pagan worship vicinity. By walking through the Land, Abram turned into
prophetically taking physical ownership of the Land; and by means of
building those altars in pagan places, Abram changed into also taking non
secular possession of the Land.
