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Genesis 12:7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I will give this land to your offspring." So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
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class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to Yahweh who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” So Abram built an altar there to [honor] the LORD who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />but the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, "I will give this land to your family forever." Abram then built an altar there for the LORD. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I'm going to give this land to your descendants." So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants." Then Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I'll give this land to your descendants." So Abram built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, ?I will give this land to your offspring.? So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then God appeared to Abram and said to him, "I will give this land to your offspring." He built an altar there to God, who appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, To thy seed will I give this land: and there he erected an altar to the LORD, who appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yahweh appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” He built an altar there to Yahweh, who had appeared to him. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And YHWH appears to Abram and says, “To your seed I give this land”; and there he builds an altar to YHWH, who has appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jehovah appeareth unto Abram, and saith, 'To thy seed I give this land;' and he buildeth there an altar to Jehovah, who hath appeared unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jehovah shall be seen to Abram, and will say, To thy seed will I give this land, and he will build there an altar to Jehovah, being seen to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him: To thy seed will I give this land. And he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then the Lord appeared to Abram, and he said to him, “To your offspring, I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The LORD appeared to Abram and said: To your descendants I will give this land. So Abram built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, To your descendants will I give this land; and Abram built there an altar to the LORD, for he had appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And LORD JEHOVAH was revealed unto Abram and said to him: “To your seed I shall give this land.” And he built there an altar to LORD JEHOVAH who was revealed unto him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said: 'Unto thy seed will I give this land'; and he builded there an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him, I will give this land to thy seed. And Abram built an altar there to the Lord who appeared to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/12-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=2615" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/12.htm">The Calling of Abram</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the Oak of Moreh at Shechem. And at that time the Canaanites were in the land. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">Then the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yê·rā (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">appeared</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/87.htm" title="87: ’aḇ·rām (N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, the original name of Abraham. Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.">Abram</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: ’et·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">“I will give</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2063.htm" title="2063: haz·zōṯ (Art:: Pro-fs) -- Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that. Irregular feminine of zeh; this.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">land</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: lə·zar·‘ă·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">to your offspring.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: way·yi·ḇen (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">So Abram built</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bê·aḥ (N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">an altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">to the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: han·nir·’eh (Art:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">who had appeared</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him.</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/13-14.htm">Genesis 13:14-17</a></span><br />After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, / for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. / I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Genesis 15:18-21</a></span><br />On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates— / the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, / Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Genesis 17:8</a></span><br />And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Genesis 26:3-4</a></span><br />Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Genesis 28:13-15</a></span><br />And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-12.htm">Genesis 35:12</a></span><br />The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/6-7.htm">Exodus 6:7-8</a></span><br />I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. / And I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD!’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/33-1.htm">Exodus 33:1</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/34-4.htm">Deuteronomy 34:4</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, “This is the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/1-2.htm">Joshua 1:2-4</a></span><br />“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. / I have given you every place where the sole of your foot will tread, just as I promised to Moses. / Your territory shall extend from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great River Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites—and west as far as the Great Sea.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-7.htm">Nehemiah 9:7-8</a></span><br />You are the LORD, the God who chose Abram, who brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham. / You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-9.htm">Psalm 105:9-11</a></span><br />the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: / “I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-5.htm">Acts 7:5</a></span><br />He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2-4</a></span><br />And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’ / So Abraham left the land of the Chaldeans and settled in Haran. After his father died, God brought him out of that place and into this land where you are now living.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-13.htm">Romans 4:13</a></span><br />For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, To your seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar to the LORD, who appeared to him.</p><p class="hdg">appeared.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1</a></b></br> And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I <i>am</i> the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">Genesis 18:1</a></b></br> And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30</a></b></br> And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.</p><p class="hdg">Unto thy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Genesis 13:15</a></b></br> For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Genesis 17:3,8</a></b></br> And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-3.htm">Genesis 26:3</a></b></br> Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;</p><p class="hdg">builded.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Genesis 12:8</a></b></br> And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, <i>having</i> Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/8-20.htm">Genesis 8:20</a></b></br> And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-4.htm">Genesis 13:4,18</a></b></br> Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/8-20.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/genesis/8-5.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/james/4-14.htm">Appeareth</a> <a href="/genesis/11-5.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/genesis/10-11.htm">Buildeth</a> <a href="/genesis/11-5.htm">Built</a> <a href="/genesis/11-27.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/genesis/10-31.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/9-9.htm">Seed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/12-9.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/genesis/15-17.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/genesis/26-2.htm">Appeareth</a> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/genesis/13-18.htm">Buildeth</a> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Built</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Erected</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Seed</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">God calls Abram, and blesses him with a promise of Christ.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-4.htm">He departs with Lot from Haran, and comes to Canaan.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">He journeys through Canaan,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">which is promised to him in a vision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">He is driven by famine into Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-11.htm">Fear makes him feign his wife to be his sister.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-14.htm">Pharaoh, having taken her from him, is compelled to restore her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/12-18.htm">Pharaoh reproves Abram, whom he dismisses.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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The appearance to Abram signifies a personal relationship and direct communication, setting the stage for the covenantal promises. This encounter emphasizes God's initiative in establishing His covenant with Abram, which is foundational for the narrative of the Israelites. The appearance of the LORD is a recurring theme, seen later with figures like Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, highlighting God's ongoing revelation to His chosen people.<p><b>and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.”</b><br>This promise is central to the Abrahamic Covenant, which includes land, descendants, and blessing. The land in question is Canaan, a region that holds significant historical and theological importance throughout the Bible. This promise is reiterated to Abram's descendants, Isaac and Jacob, and is a key theme in the narrative of the Israelites' journey to the Promised Land. The term "offspring" is significant, as it not only refers to Abram's immediate descendants but also prophetically points to the nation of Israel and ultimately to Jesus Christ, as seen in the New Testament (<a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a>).<p><b>So Abram built an altar there to the LORD</b><br>Building an altar was a common practice in ancient times for worship and sacrifice. For Abram, constructing an altar signifies his response of faith and obedience to God's promise. It serves as a physical reminder of God's presence and the covenantal promise. Altars are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament as places of worship, sacrifice, and divine encounter, underscoring the importance of worship and remembrance in the life of faith.<p><b>who had appeared to him.</b><br>This phrase reiterates the personal nature of God's revelation to Abram. The repetition emphasizes the significance of the divine encounter and the assurance of God's promise. It highlights the unique relationship between God and Abram, which is foundational for the unfolding narrative of redemption. This personal appearance underscores the theme of God's faithfulness and His active role in guiding and fulfilling His promises to His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-making God who appears to Abram, initiating a promise that will shape the history of Israel and the world.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (later Abraham)</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelite nation, chosen by God to be the father of many nations and a key figure in God's redemptive plan.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/o/offspring.htm">Offspring (Seed)</a></b><br>Refers to Abram's descendants, both physical (Israel) and spiritual (all who have faith like Abraham).<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_land.htm">The Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, promised to Abram's descendants, symbolizing God's provision and faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/altar.htm">Altar</a></b><br>A place of worship and remembrance, signifying Abram's response of faith and gratitude to God's promise.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_initiative_in_covenant.htm">God's Initiative in Covenant</a></b><br>God is the one who initiates the covenant with Abram, demonstrating His grace and sovereign choice. We are reminded that our relationship with God is based on His initiative and promises, not our merit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a></b><br>Abram's response to God's promise is to build an altar, an act of worship and obedience. Our faith should lead us to worship and obedience, trusting in God's promises even when we don't see immediate results.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_the_land.htm">The Significance of the Land</a></b><br>The promise of land to Abram's descendants is a tangible sign of God's faithfulness. In our lives, we can trust that God will provide for our needs and fulfill His promises in His timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_heritage.htm">Spiritual Heritage</a></b><br>As believers, we are part of Abram's spiritual offspring, inheriting the promises through faith in Christ. This should encourage us to live as heirs of God's promises, with a focus on eternal inheritance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/building_altars_in_our_lives.htm">Building Altars in Our Lives</a></b><br>Just as Abram built an altar, we should establish practices of remembrance and worship in our lives, marking God's faithfulness and promises.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/genesis_12_7__proof_of_land_promise.htm">Genesis 12:7: What tangible proof exists for the promise of land to Abram and his descendants? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_bible_lands_relate_to_today's_borders.htm">How does the Bible's promised land relate to today's borders?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/israeli_settlements__history.htm">What are Israeli settlements and their historical background?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_chapel.htm">What defines a chapel?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">The Lord appeared unto Abram.</span>--This is the first time that any appearance of the Deity is men tioned. Always previously the communications between God and man had been direct, without the intervention of any visible medium. Thus, God <span class= "ital">commanded </span>Adam (<a href="/genesis/2-16.htm" title="And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat:">Genesis 2:16</a>); Adam and Eve <span class= "ital">heard </span>His voice (<a href="/genesis/3-8.htm" title="And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.">Genesis 3:8</a>), and He <span class= "ital">called </span>them (<a href="/genesis/3-9.htm" title="And the LORD God called to Adam, and said to him, Where are you?">Genesis 3:9</a>); He <span class= "ital">said </span>unto Cain (<a href="/context/genesis/4-6.htm" title="And the LORD said to Cain, Why are you wroth? and why is your countenance fallen?">Genesis 4:6-9</a>); unto Noah (<a href="/genesis/6-13.htm" title="And God said to Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.">Genesis 6:13</a>; <a href="/genesis/7-1.htm" title="And the LORD said to Noah, Come you and all your house into the ark; for you have I seen righteous before me in this generation.">Genesis 7:1</a>), and <span class= "ital">spake </span>unto him (<a href="/genesis/8-15.htm" title="And God spoke to Noah, saying,">Genesis 8:15</a>; <a href="/genesis/9-8.htm" title="And God spoke to Noah, and to his sons with him, saying,">Genesis 9:8</a>): but henceforward we read repeatedly of a Divine appearance, and this visible manifestation is subsequently connected with the phrase "an angel of Jehovah" (see <a href="/genesis/16-7.htm" title="And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.">Genesis 16:7</a>; <a href="/genesis/22-11.htm" title="And the angel of the LORD called to him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.">Genesis 22:11</a>, &c), and less frequently "an angel of God" (<a href="/genesis/21-17.htm" title="And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, What ails you, Hagar? fear not; for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.">Genesis 21:17</a>; <a href="/judges/6-20.htm" title="And the angel of God said to him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.">Judges 6:20</a>; <a href="/judges/13-9.htm" title="And God listened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her.">Judges 13:9</a>). Upon the question whether this was a created angel, or whether it was an anticipation of the incarnation of Christ, see Excursus on "Angel of Jehovah" at end of this book. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And the Lord appeared</span>. The first mention of a theophany, though <a href="/acts/7-2.htm">Acts 7:2</a> alleges that such a Divine manifestation had previously occurred in Ur of the Chaldees. Though not a direct vision of Jehovah (<a href="/john/1-18.htm">John 1:18</a>), that there was some kind of outward appearance may be inferred from the subsequent Divine manifestations to the patriarch (<a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Genesis 18:2, 17, 33</a>; <a href="/genesis/22-11.htm">Genesis 22:11-18</a>), to Hagar (<a href="/genesis/16-7.htm">Genesis 16:7-14</a>; <a href="/genesis/21-17.htm">Genesis 21:17, 18</a>), and to Jacob (<a href="/genesis/31-11.htm">Genesis 31:11-13</a>; <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24-30</a>). On the relation of the angel of Jehovah to Jehovah <span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16, 17</a>. <span class="cmt_word">Unto Abram</span>. "Jam paene fatigato Abraha isto duro exsilio et perpetuis migrationibus" (Luther). <span class="cmt_word">And said, Unto thy seed</span> - to himself God gave "none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on" (<a href="/acts/7-5.htm">Acts 7:5</a>); the land was promised to his seed "when as yet he had no child" - <span class="cmt_word">will I give this land</span>. Now occupied by the Canaanites. Undoubtedly a great promise, that the Canaanites should be dispossessed, and their country given to the offspring of a childless old man already over seventy-five years. The apparent improbability of its ever being accomplished rendered it a strong trial to the patriarch's faith. <span class="cmt_word">And there builded he an altar.</span> "Constituit certum locum, in quo conveniat ecclesia, auditura verbum Dei, factura preess, laudatura Deum, sacrificatura <span class="accented">Dee"</span> (Luther). "Altare forma est Divini cultus; invocatio autem substantia et veritas" (Calvin). "The rearing of an altar in the land was, in fact, a form of taking possession of it on the ground of a right secured to the exercise of his faith" (Bush). "It is often said of Abraham and the patriarchs that they built altars to the Lord; it is never said they built houses for themselves" (Wordsworth). <span class="cmt_word">Unto the Lord who had appeared to him.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/12-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">appeared</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּרָ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abram</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_87.htm">Strong's 87: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I will give</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶתֵּ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(’et·tên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֹּ֑את</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2063.htm">Strong's 2063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, </span><br /><br /><span class="word">land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֣רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to your offspring.”</span><br /><span class="heb">לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔</span> <span class="translit">(lə·zar·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So [Abram] built</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֤בֶן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·ḇen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבֵּ֔חַ</span> <span class="translit">(miz·bê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁם֙</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַיהוָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who had appeared</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנִּרְאֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(han·nir·’eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/12-7.htm">Genesis 12:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/12-7.htm">OT Law: Genesis 12:7 Yahweh appeared to Abram and said (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/12-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 12:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 12:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/12-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 12:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 12:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>