Genesis 12:1

Authorized King James Version

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר

H559

had said

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָה֙

H3068

Now the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְרָ֔ם

H87

unto Abram

abram, the original name of abraham

לֶךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְךָ֛

הָאָ֖רֶץ

H776

of thy country

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖

H4138

and from thy kindred

nativity (plural birth-place); by implication, lineage, native country; also offspring, family

וּמִבֵּ֣ית

H1004

house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#10

אָבִ֑יךָ

and from thy father's

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

#11

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#12

הָאָ֖רֶץ

H776

of thy country

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

#13

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#14

אַרְאֶֽךָּ׃

H7200

that I will shew

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

Cross References

Related verses that illuminate this passage (hover to preview):

¹ Hebrews 11:8 Hebrews 11:8
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
— Abraham went out by faith
² Acts 7:2 Acts 7:2
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
— God appeared to Abraham
³ Genesis 15:7 Genesis 15:7
And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
— Brought thee out of Ur

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 12 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about creation and providence?

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