Genesis 12

Genesis 12:1

THe LORD had said] This oraculous appointment of God came to Abram (as is probably conceived) while he was in Ʋr of the Chaldees (where he was born) while his father lived, and whereupon they departed from Ʋr to goe towards the Land of Canaan, as is said, Chap. 11. vers. 31. and in the way thitherward they stayed a time at Charran or Haran where Terah dyed after that by vertue of the same call he went onward to Canaan with Lot.

out of the countrey] That is, Chaldea, where he had his call from God.

from thy kindred] If they had rather remaine behind thee, then remove with thee.

into a land] In appointing no certaine place, he proveth so much the more his faith, and obedience; for he went from his place of birth, and wonted abode, to goe from place to place, he yet knew not whither. See Hebrews 11:8.

Genesis 12:2

shalt be a blessing] That is more then thou shalt have a blessing, for in this blessing is vertually comprised the happinesse of both worlds, and of all that are truely blessed in all ages; whereof though God be the onely Author, Abraham is honoured to be a principall means under him to bring it to passe, in being the progenitour of the promised Seed, and setting such an example of beliefe as might qualifie him to be stiled Father of the faithfull, Rom. 4. 11, 12. The world shall receive by thy seed which is Christ, the blessing which it lost in Adam. This Covenant in Christ was foure hundred and thirtie yeares before the Law, and therefore (as the Apostle argueth) cannot be disanulled by the Law, coming so long after it. Gal. 3. vers. 16, 17.

Genesis 12:3

• And in thee shall] * Genesis 18:18. & Genesis 22:18. Acts 3:26. Galatians 3:8.

Genesis 12:4

as the LORD spake] Some thinke Abram was now called the second time; first in Ʋr of Chaldea, his birth place, whereupon he went with his father Terah to Charran; and againe in Charran, whereupon he departed thence towards Canaan; but neither here nor Acts 7. is there mentioned two callings of him, and it is like he went on in the vertue of his first call, though by degrees, resting at Charran till the death of his father Terah, and from thence taking his journey towards Canaan, Vers. 4, 5.

Genesis 12:5

soules] Soules are put for persons, because the soule is the better part; and so by an ordinary figure called Synecdoche, it is taken very oft in Scripture for the whole person, Exodus 1:5. and elsewhere. See Chap. 14. vers. 21.

which he had gotten] Not begotten as a father, but taken as a Conquerour, or hired as a Master, or purchased as a Merchant upon a price, as slaves were bought and sold in ancient times out of many nations, but especially the Canaanites, who of all others were designed to that base condition, Genesis 9. vers. 25, 26, 27.

Canaan] So called, because the posteritie of Canaan, the sonne of Cham, possessed it.

Genesis 12:6

Abraham passed] He wandred to and fro in the Land, before he could find a setling place thus God exerciseth the faith of his children.

Sichem] Hebr. Shechem, so called when Moses wrote; but in Abrahams time it had its name from an Oake: some suppose it the same with Mamre, Chap. 13. 17. which others doubt of, and in our Saviours time it was called Sichar a Citie of Samaria, John 4:5. See Annot. on Chap. 13. 18. It was situate in the middle part of the land of Canaan in the mountainous part of the Tribe of Ephraim, Joshua 21:21. Judges 8:31. 1 Chronicles 6:67.

the Canaanite] Properly so called for distinction from the Hivites, Jebusites, Perizzites, &c. which was a cruell and fierce nation, by whom God kept his people in continuall exercise.

in the land] That is, in the plaine of Moreh next before spokenof.

Genesis 12:7

builded an Altar] So did Noah, Chap. 8. 20. for though the principall part of mans devotion to God consist in his heart, yet there must be some evidence of it by externall service, whereby it may appeare to others that we account God worthy of open worship, and his mercies and favours worthy of monuments of remembrance.

called he upon the name] See Annot. on Chap. 4. 26.

Genesis 12:8

removed from thence] Because of the troubles he had among that wicked people, for that he served the true God, and renounced Idolatry, not changing his Religion with the place, but every where serving the same God in the same manner.

Bethel] Called at this time Luz, not Bethel untill afterwards, Genesis 28:19.

on the West] See Annot. on Gen. Chap. 1. vers. 10. & on Deuteronomy 11:24. See also Genesis 13:14. & Genesis 28:14. Numbers 3:23. & Deuteronomy 3:27.

Hai on the East] Called Ai, Joshua 7:2. Jeremiah 49:3. & Ajah, Isaiah 10:28. a faire Citie of Canaan situate on the mountainous part of the land, which fell to the lot of the Tribe of Benjamin.

Genesis 12:9

journeyed going] Hebr. in going and journeying. The best of Gods children may be restlesse in their outward condition, and faine to shift from place to place: which may make them more desirous of heaven, where there is perpetuallpose without either toyle or change, Hebrews 11:10.

Genesis 12:10

a famine] This was a new triall of Abrahams saith, whereby we are taught to expect at the end of one affliction, to meet with another.

Genesis 12:11

Egypt] By the Prophet usually called Mitsrajim from the sonne of ham of that name, Chap. 10. 6. on the East side is bounded with the red Sea and part of Arabia, on the West with Cyrene a part of Africk, on the South with Ethiopia superior, called by some Habassia or Abasine.

thou art faire] When Abram came with his family to Egypt, Sarai was about sixtie yeares of age, yet then she was so beautifull, not onely in comparison of the Egyptians (who were not of a very lovely colour, or complexion) but absolutely, as Abram judged of her. And her beautie might hold out though threescore yeares old, both because it was not impared by breedding, or bearing of children, (being barren) and for that God might preserve it in especiall manner, as an occasion for the working and observing of his providence, which followed thereupon; yet here we see that beautie is a double snare, both to them that have it, and them that love it.

Genesis 12:13

say thou art my sister] Wherein in some sense he spake truth; yet by the name of sister he intended to make them to beleeve a lye, to wit, that she was not his wife. An example not of imitation, but of caution, whereby the best may be warned against the using of ill means to good ends; and may learne not to put others in danger, to save themselves. Albeit it may be that Abram feared not so much death, as that if he should die without issue, Gods promise should not have taken place; wherein appeareth a frailtie of faith, at this time, though for other things, and at other times, his faith was more firme. See Chap. 20. vers. 12.

Genesis 12:15

into Pharaohs house] With a purpose to make her his wife or concubine, Vers. 19.

Genesis 12:17

Pharaoh] Pharaoh was an usuall name among the Kings of Egypt, untill the Greekes prevailed over it, and then they were commonly called Ptolomees; haply for some very eminent King of that name; as the Emperors of Rome and Germany are called Caesars, from Julius, or Augustus Caesar. Or they might be called Pharaohs, because the word Pharaoh signifieth in Hebrew libertie from servitude; and Kings are servants to none but God, and in the Chaldean Dialect revenge, or punishment, as having a preeminence of power, for the punishment of the wicked, as well as for the protection of the good, Rom. 13. vers. 4.

the LORD plagued Pharaoh] Though Kings have great power for doing, Ecclesiastes 8:4. and more protection from suffering then other men in the guard of their persons, yet they may not do what they will with whom they wil; for some are such favourites of the King of kings as to be accepted as his anoynted, and under that title to be secured from the tyranny of Kings, Psal. 105. 14, 15. 1 Chronicles 16:21-22. which places have an especiall application to this story of Abraham and Pharaoh, in whose example Kings must be admonished of their subordination to God, Ecclesiastes 5:8. and of Gods tender care of godly persons, whom he will not, though they be strangers and friendlesse, give up to the oppression of Potentates though never so great.

and his house] Great mens sinnes are dangerous, not onely to themselves, but to others that belong unto them. It is not safe to dwell in the house with such as are wicked. See Psalms 101. vers. 6, 7.

with great plagues] Great men when they offend are so much more plagued by God then others, as his benefits more oblige them to obedience, and their greatnesse frees them from humane punishment when they deserve it by their disobedience.

Genesis 12:18

Why diddest thou not tell me?] Yet he knew her not to be his wife untill by plagues he was made apprehensive of Divine displeasure, which might occasion an humble inquiry into the cause; whereupon God was pleased some way to reveale it unto him either by Sarai, or some other way; but he was punished before he was advertised of it; and therefore ignorance of sinne is no priviledge for impunitie, nor protection against punishment; and it is not unlike that the King was too much swayed by his carnall appetite, that he made so much hast to take her for her beauty, and for that he might be punished the more.

Genesis 12:20

commanded] Not only dismissed him without harme or damage, but for his securitie laid a charge upon his people to let him passe where he pleased without any harme.