Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:4

What does Genesis 12:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:4 means

Abram immediately obeys God’s command, demonstrating a profound act of faith. He departs from Haran, taking his nephew Lot with him. The detail of Abram being "seventy and five years old" highlights the magnitude of his obedience, as he was no longer a young man, further emphasizing his trust in God's unconventional call. This immediate response underscores his commitment to God's word, embodying the essence of walking by faith rather than sight, setting a pattern for subsequent biblical figures and for believers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So Abram went as the Lord had said to him, and Lot went with him: Abram was seventy-five years old when he went away from Haran.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abram goeth on, as Jehovah hath spoken unto him, and Lot goeth with him, and Abram <FI>is<Fi> a son of five and seventy years in his going out from Charan.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

So Abram went out as the Lord had commanded him, and Lot went with him: Abram was seventy-five years old when he went forth from Haran.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abram departed as Jehovah had said to him. And Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Context

This verse records Abram's direct and immediate response to the divine call and promises of verses 1-3. It marks the transition from God's speaking to Abram's acting, thereby initiating the fulfillment of God's plan. This obedience is critical, as it is the necessary first step for all the subsequent events and covenant developments in Abram's life and the history of Israel, leading directly into his journey into the promised land.

v.3and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

v.4This passage

v.5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 11:27

    Now these are the generations of Terah. Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.

  • 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.

  • Genesis 11:31

    And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.

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