Genesis 12:4 kjv

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.

Genesis 12:4 nkjv

So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Genesis 12:4 niv

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

Genesis 12:4 esv

So Abram went, as the LORD had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

Genesis 12:4 nlt

So Abram departed as the LORD had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Genesis 12 verses

Genesis 12 4 Meaning

Genesis 12:4 records Abram's immediate obedience to God's command to depart Haran. He left, as instructed by the LORD, taking his nephew Lot with him. This journey marked the beginning of his new life, demonstrating an act of faith and dependence on God's word, initiated when Abram was seventy-five years old.

Genesis 12 4 Context

Genesis 12:4 immediately follows the momentous call of Abram in Gen 12:1-3, where the LORD commands him to leave his country, kindred, and father's house to a land He would show him, promising to make him a great nation, bless him, and make his name great. This verse is the direct response to that divine imperative, signifying the crucial turning point from Abraham's past life in Mesopotamia to his future as the father of a chosen nation. Historically, it reflects the practice of long-distance migrations common in the Ancient Near East, yet uniquely driven by divine command and promise. The detail of Abram's age (75) emphasizes that this was not a youthful adventure but a monumental, God-empowered endeavor for a man past the prime age for starting a new life or family, highlighting his complete dependence on God for the promised offspring. The inclusion of Lot is significant, as Lot would become a central figure in subsequent narratives, first by accompanying Abram and later by their separation (Gen 13), highlighting challenges in the walk of faith even for those near the chosen one. This departure from Haran marks the true start of Abram's faith journey as he fully complies with God's original intention for him to leave his kin.

Genesis 12 4 Word analysis

• So (וַיֵּלֶךְ, wayyelek): This Hebrew conjunction with the imperfect verb, known as a waw consecutive, indicates a direct consequence or sequence of the preceding action. It translates literally as "And he went," powerfully showing Abram's immediate and direct response to God's command in Gen 12:1-3. It implies swift obedience.

• Abram (אַבְרָם, ʾAvram): Meaning "exalted father" or "my father is exalted." This is the name given to him at birth. His name will later be changed by God to Abraham ("father of a multitude" or "father of many nations") in Gen 17:5, signifying the fulfillment of God's promise.

• went (וַיֵּלֶךְ, wayyelek): The root halak (הָלַךְ) means "to go," "to walk," "to journey." In Hebrew, it can also refer to a way of life or conduct. Here, it denotes physical movement, emphasizing Abram's act of setting out. His entire life is depicted as a "walk" of faith with God.

• as (כַּאֲשֶׁר, ka'asher): This preposition indicates conformity, precisely matching. It means "just as," "according to what," emphasizing that Abram's action perfectly aligned with the divine instruction. This word stresses his obedience to the letter of the command.

• the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): The covenant name of God, revealing Him as the personal, faithful, and unchangeable God who keeps His promises. It underscores the divine authority behind the command and the specific relationship God established with Abram. This is not just any deity but the One True God.

• had told him (דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו, dibber ʾelayw): The verb dibber (דִּבֶּר) means "to speak" or "to command." It signifies a direct, clear communication from God to Abram, not merely an inner feeling or general sense. God had explicitly commanded, and Abram acted upon that specific revelation.

• and (וְ, ve): A simple conjunction, connecting the action of Abram with the accompanying action of Lot.

• Lot (לוֹט, Lot): Abram's nephew, son of his deceased brother Haran (Gen 11:27). His presence is noteworthy because God's initial command was to leave his "kindred" (moledeth), which included Lot. While Lot was part of Terah's household who set out for Canaan from Ur (Gen 11:31), his continued presence with Abram indicates a slight deviation from the precise scope of the "leaving kindred" aspect, yet it became part of God's unfolding plan.

• went with him (הָלַךְ עִמּוֹ, halak immo): Confirms Lot's active participation in the journey alongside Abram, establishing a close relationship and mutual reliance, though Lot would later demonstrate a lack of Abram's singular devotion to God.

• Abram was seventy-five years old (וְאַבְרָם בֶּן־שֶׁבַע וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה, wəʾavram ben-ševaʿ wəšivʿim šānāh): This detail provides critical information about Abram's age. "Ben" means "son of," a common way to express age. This specific age emphasizes several points:

  • Impossibility from Human Viewpoint: For a man of this age, who likely had no children by this point and whose wife was barren, to undertake a radical new life and be promised countless descendants, highlighted the supernatural nature of God's plan and the utter reliance on divine power.
  • Sacrifice and Radical Obedience: It implies a significant upheaval, leaving comfort and familiarity in older age, demonstrating a profound level of trust and commitment.
  • God's Timing: It shows that God often calls His servants when human strength or timing seems least opportune, magnifying His glory in the fulfillment of His promises. It also connects to the future timing of Isaac's birth.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Abram went as the LORD had told him": This phrase highlights radical obedience. Abram's departure was not a casual move but a direct, precise fulfillment of a divine mandate. It signifies an unwavering commitment to God's revealed will, forming the cornerstone of his identity as "the father of the faithful."
  • "Abram was seventy-five years old": This clause sets the stage for a faith journey that transcends human limitations. At an age where most would settle down, Abram embarked on a perilous journey into the unknown, showcasing that God's plans are not dependent on human vitality or foresight, but on His sovereign power and timing. This detail serves to magnify God's role in fulfilling His promises rather than Abram's natural abilities.
  • "Lot went with him": This small phrase, while seemingly minor, introduces an element of human companionship and, eventually, a challenge to the simplicity of God's original call. While a comfort at first, Lot's presence also reflects a nuance in obedience—Abram leaves some family, but not all immediately. This prefigures the future challenges related to land ownership and spiritual priorities that will arise between Abram and Lot.

Genesis 12 4 Bonus section

• The age of 75 for Abram is crucial because it marks a point in his life when natural strength for pioneering and childbearing was diminishing, highlighting the supernatural power and faithfulness of God who alone could fulfill the promises given to him. This sets the stage for God to receive all the glory for what was to come, particularly the miraculous birth of Isaac.
• Abram's journey out of Haran into Canaan (the Promised Land) is a prefigurement of the Israelites' later exodus from Egypt into the same land, highlighting a recurring pattern of God calling His people out of bondage or old ways of life into His promised blessing through a journey of faith.
• In the ancient world, to leave one's family and land without a clear destination was a radical act. Family (father's house) provided identity, security, and economic support. The land was inextricably linked to one's heritage and survival. Abram’s departure demonstrated a complete renunciation of these conventional securities in favor of a divine promise.
• While Terah had begun a journey from Ur towards Canaan and settled in Haran (Gen 11:31), Abram's departure from Haran marks the complete and singular obedience to God's call, setting him apart. His father's journey stopped short, but Abram completed the intended pilgrimage.

Genesis 12 4 Commentary

Genesis 12:4 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, the physical manifestation of Abraham's initial act of faith. It concisely details Abram's prompt and unwavering obedience to the extraordinary divine command issued in Gen 12:1-3. Despite the lack of specific destination or known provision, and at an advanced age of seventy-five, Abram undertook a journey from the stability of Haran into an uncertain future. This single verse demonstrates a deep trust in God's word above all else – culture, comfort, family, and personal security.

The phrase "as the LORD had told him" emphasizes the absolute precision and totality of Abram's compliance. His journey was not a self-initiated migration but a direct, God-ordained mission. This act set a precedent for all subsequent calls to follow God, illustrating that true faith manifests in obedient action. The inclusion of Lot is an important, subtle detail, indicating both human relational ties and a slight deviation from God's full instruction ("leave your kindred"), which would eventually lead to the separation recounted in Gen 13, highlighting that even figures of great faith face practical challenges and ongoing growth in obedience. Ultimately, this verse celebrates a momentous act of faith that initiates the covenant promises of God, establishing the lineage through which blessing would come to all nations, and demonstrating that God's plans unfold through the faithful response of His chosen ones, irrespective of their age or apparent circumstances.