Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:1

What does Genesis 12:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:1 means

God directly commands Abram to leave behind everything familiar: his country, his extended family, and even his father’s household. This was a radical break from ancient societal norms, where identity and security were deeply tied to one's lineage and homeland. The destination is unspecified, only "the land that I will show thee," requiring immense trust. This call emphasizes God's sovereign initiative in choosing Abram and initiating a new direction for humanity, setting the stage for the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes through one man.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now Jehovah said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto the land that I will show thee:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the Lord said to Abram, Go out from your country and from your family and from your father's house, into the land to which I will be your guide:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah saith unto Abram, `Go for thyself, from thy land, and from thy kindred, and from the house of thy father, unto the land which I shew thee.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and out of thy father's house, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah had said to Abram, Go out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, to the land that I will shew thee.

Context

This verse opens a new era in the biblical narrative, shifting from the general history of humanity (creation, fall, flood, dispersion) to the specific story of God’s redemptive plan through one individual. It immediately follows the table of nations in chapter 11, where humanity scattered after Babel. This divine call to Abram is the foundational act that sets in motion all subsequent covenant history, leading directly into the extensive promises of the next two verses.

v.1This passage

v.2and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joshua 24:2

    And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.

  • Ezekiel 33:24

    Son of man, they that inhabit those waste places in the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we are many; the land is given us for inheritance.

  • Hebrews 11:8

    By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out unto a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

  • Acts 7:2

    And he said, Brethren and fathers, hearken: The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,

  • Nehemiah 9:7

    Thou art Jehovah the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham,

  • Revelation 18:4

    And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come forth, my people, out of her, that ye have no fellowship with her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues:

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