Genesis 12:6. The Canaanite was then in the land He found the country possessed by Canaanites, who were likely to be but bad neighbours; and for aught appears, he could not have ground to pitch his tent on but by their permission. read more
Genesis 12:7. And the Lord appeared to Abram Probably in a vision, and spoke to him comfortable words: Unto thy seed will I give this land No place or condition can shut us out from God’s gracious visits. Abram is a sojourner, unsettled, among Canaanites, and yet here also he meets with him that lives, and sees him. Enemies may part us and our tents, us and our altars, but not us and our God. read more
Genesis 12:8. And there he built an altar, and called on the name of the Lord Such, it appears, was his constant practice, whithersoever he removed. As soon as he came into Canaan, though he was but a stranger and sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up the worship of God in his family; and wherever he had a tent, God had an altar, and that sanctified by prayer. read more
11:27-15:21 ABRAM’S ENTRY INTO THE PROMISED LANDAbram obeys God’s call (11:27-12:9)From the nations of the world God now chose one man through whom he would build a new nation, which, in turn, would be the means of bringing his blessing to the whole world (see 12:2-3). God’s chosen man, Abram (later called Abraham), lived originally in the idolatrous city of Ur in ancient Babylonia. Although others in his family worshipped idols (Joshua 24:2), Abram worshipped the one true God and obeyed him... read more
Sichem. The place of Abram's first altar and Christ's first mission (John 4:0 ). Also of Jacob's altar (Genesis 33:18 ). Canaanits . . . then in the land. It is evident that from Terah's and Abraham's call, Satan knew the line by which "the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15 ) was coming into the world. In Genesis 6:0 he aimed at the whole human race. Now he aims at Abraham and his land. Here is the second explanation of the words "after that" in Genesis 6:4 . He pre-occupies the territory ready... read more
altar. See note on Sichem, Genesis 12:6 . read more
Beth-el. An ancient Canaanite sacred pillar, doubtless here from previous times, called Luz (Genesis 28:19 ; Genesis 35:6 ; Genesis 48:3 .Joshua 16:2 ; Joshua 18:13 .Judges 1:23; Judges 1:23 ). Compare Judges 1:23 . When Moses wrote he used the later name. altar. Between Beth-el and Ai would probably be Gerizim and Ebal, which were already or thus became sacred places. Compare Deuteronomy 27:2 , Deuteronomy 27:12 and Joshua 8:9 , Joshua 8:30 . read more
south. Hebrew the Negeb or hill country S. of Judah (Compare Genesis 13:1 , Genesis 13:3 ). The Egyptian texts mention the Negeb. Towns taken by Shishak are mentioned as being there, e.g. Jerahmeel, Gerar, Kadesh, and Gaza. read more
"And Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. And Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto Jehovah, who appeared unto him. And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east; and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and called upon the name of Jehovah. And Abram... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 12:1-9
- The Call of Abram6. שׁכם shekem Shekem, “the upper part of the back.” Here it is the name of a person, the owner of this place, where afterward is built the town called at first Shekem, then Flavia Neapolis, and now Nablous. אלון 'ēlôn “the oak;” related: “be lasting, strong.” מורה môreh In Onkelos “plain;” Moreh, “archer, early rain, teacher.” Here the name of a man who owned the oak that marked the spot. In the Septuagint it is rendered ὑψηγήν hupseegeen.8. בית־אל bēyt-'êl, Bethel,... read more