Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:7

What does Genesis 12:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:7 means

Jehovah appears to Abram in Canaan, confirming and clarifying the promise of land. While earlier verses spoke of "the land that I will show thee," here God explicitly states, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." This direct divine encounter and specific promise of land to his descendants solidify the previously general promise. In response, Abram builds an altar to Jehovah, an act of worship and dedication, acknowledging God's presence and reaffirming his commitment to the One who appeared to him and made the covenant.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord came to Abram, and said, I will give all this land to your seed; then Abram made an altar there to the Lord who had let himself be seen by him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land. And there he built an altar to Jehovah who had appeared to him.

Context

This verse follows Abram's physical entry into Canaan and the initial observation that the land was inhabited by Canaanites. God's appearance and the specific promise of the land to Abram's "seed" directly addresses the implication of the Canaanites' presence. Abram's altar building forms a parallel to his initial obedience, marking this location as sacred through worship and anticipating further divine encounters and altar constructions as he continues his journey within the promised land.

v.6And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Shechem, unto the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.

v.7This passage

v.8And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and called upon the name of Jehovah.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 15:18

    In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Genesis 8:20

    And Noah builded an altar unto Jehovah, and took of every clean beast, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt-offerings on the altar.

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Exodus 33:1

    And Jehovah spake unto Moses, Depart, go up hence, thou and the people that thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land of which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it:

  • Genesis 12:8

    And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and called upon the name of Jehovah.

  • Genesis 18:1

    And Jehovah appeared unto him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 12

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 12.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 12:7.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary