genesis-12:6-9,-genesis-13:1-4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:8

Verse 8 8.And he removed from thence. When we hear that Abram moved from the place where he had built an altar to God, we ought not to doubt that he was, by some necessity, compelled to do so. He there found the inhabitants unpropitious; and therefore transfers his tabernacle elsewhere. But if Abram bore his continual wanderings patiently, our fastidiousness is utterly inexcusable, when we murmur against God, if he does not grant us a quiet nest. Certainly, when Christ has opened heaven to us,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:9

Verse 9 9.And Abram journeyed. This was the third removal of the holy man within a short period, after he seemed to have found some kind of abode. It is certain that he did not voluntarily, and for his own gratification, run hither and thither, (as light-minded persons are wont to do:) but there were certain necessities which drove him forth, in order to teach him, by continual habit, that he was not only a stranger, but a wretched wanderer in the land of which he was the lord. Yet no common... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6

And Abram passed through —literally, passed over, or traveled about as a pilgrim (cf. Hebrews 11:9 ) in— the land unto (or as far as) the place of Sichem . A prolepsis for the place where the city Shechem (either built by or named after the Hivite prince, Genesis 34:2 ) was afterwards situated, viz; between Ebal and Gerizim, in the middle of the land; "the most beautiful, perhaps the only very beautiful, spot in Central Palestine" (Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine,' 5:234). The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-9

Revelations. We here enter upon the more special history of Divine appearances. Hitherto the word is described simply as a word—"The Lord said;" now we connect with the word distinct appearances. The plain of Moreh will be ever memorable as the first scene of such revelations. The altar which Abram erected was to the Lord who appeared unto him, i.e. in commemoration of the vision. Thus the long line of theophanies commences. The great lesson of this record is the worship of man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-10

The promised land. I. WANDERINGS . Entering Canaan from the north, the Chaldsean emigrant directs his progress steadily towards the south, removing from station to station till he reaches the furthest limit of the land. This wandering life to the patriarch must have been II. TRIALS . Along with ceaseless peregrinations, more or less exacting in their nature, trials of another and severer sort entered into the texture of the patriarch's experience in the promised land. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

And the Lord appeared . The first mention of a theophany, though Acts 7:2 alleges that such a Divine manifestation had previously occurred in Ur of the Chaldees. Though not a direct vision of Jehovah ( John 1:18 ), that there was some kind of outward appearance may be inferred from the subsequent Divine manifestations to the patriarch ( Genesis 18:2 , Genesis 18:17 , Genesis 18:33 ; Genesis 22:11-18 ), to Hagar ( Genesis 16:7-14 ; Genesis 21:17 , Genesis 21:18 ), and to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

Abraham worshipping. "And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." Abraham is at length Divinely informed that he is in the land hereafter to be his. He was at the spot where the great temple, to be set up by his descendants, would stand. Here he builds an altar. It was doubtless a very plain altar of rough stones, but large enough for the sacrifices to be offered. It would have little attraction in the eyes of many, but it would be approved of by God. I. IT ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:8

And he removed— literally, caused (i.e. his tent) to be broken up (cf. Genesis 26:22 — from thence —no cause for which being assigned, the hostility of his neighbors (Luther, Calvin) and the commencement of the famine (Alford, Keil) have been conjectured as the probable reasons— unto a (literally, the) mountain east of Bethel . Here proleptically named "house of God," being called in the time of Abram Luz ( Genesis 28:19 ). Its present name is Beitin. And pitched his tent ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:8

Abraham's altar. "And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord." There is a solemn word ( Matthew 10:32 , Matthew 10:33 ). The distinction is not between Christians and heathen; it is within the visible Church. To confess Christ is more than professing Christianity. It must be in the life, not merely in religious services. No doubt these have their use; without them spiritual life would wither and die, like a light under a vessel. They are as food;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:9

And Abram journeyed (literally, broke up , e. g; his encampment, going on still —literally, going on and breaking up (cf. Genesis 8:3 ); "going and returning"— towards the south . Negleb, the dry region, from nagabh , to be dried, the southern district of Palestine ( Genesis 13:3 ; Genesis 20:1 ; Genesis 24:62 ). The LXX . render, ἐστρατοπέδευσεν ἐν , τῇ ἐρήμῳ. Of this section Genesis 12:5 , Genesis 12:6 , Genesis 12:8 are commonly assigned to the... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 12:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:6-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 12:9

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