Genesis 12:5 kjv

And 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.

Genesis 12:5 nkjv

Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.

Genesis 12:5 niv

He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

Genesis 12:5 esv

And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan,

Genesis 12:5 nlt

He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth ? his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran ? and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan,

Genesis 12 verses

Genesis 12 5 Meaning

Genesis 12:5 describes the immediate and full obedience of Abram to God's call, initiating the foundational journey of faith towards the promised land of Canaan. It details the complete relocation of Abram's entire household, including his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all their accumulated wealth, and the many individuals who comprised their expanded retinue, signifying a complete surrender to God's divine direction and the beginning of the covenant nation.

Genesis 12 5 Context

Genesis chapter 12 marks a pivotal turning point in biblical history, shifting focus from a general history of humanity (chapters 1-11) to the specific lineage of Abram and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through one man. Verse 5 specifically details Abram's faithful response to the divine call (Gen 12:1-3) which commanded him to leave his country, kindred, and father's house. Abram, who had journeyed from Ur with his family and settled temporarily in Haran after his father Terah's death (Gen 11:31-32), is now given a specific destination: Canaan, the promised land. This verse shows that Abram's obedience was comprehensive, involving not just himself but his entire established community and all his material assets, essential for survival and prosperity in the Ancient Near Eastern migratory context.

Genesis 12 5 Word analysis

• And Abram took (וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָם - wa-yiqqaḥ ʾAvram): "Took" (יָקַח - laqach) denotes a deliberate, active selection and gathering. It highlights Abram's agency and decision in response to God's command. This is not a passive reception but an active assembling for departure.
• Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, (שָׂרַי אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאֶת-לוֹט בֶּן-אָחִיו - Saray ʾišto w'et-Loṭ ben-ʾaḥíw):
  • Sarai: "My princess," his wife, foundational for the promised offspring.
  • Lot: Abram's nephew. His inclusion shows the patriarchal household's comprehensive nature, even incorporating extended family. His presence here highlights a close familial bond and shared destiny at this initial stage.
• and all their possessions which they had gathered, (וְאֶת-כָּל-רְכוּשָׁם אֲשֶׁר רָכָשׁוּ - w'et-kol-rᵊḱúšam ʾašer rakášú):
  • Possessions (רְכוּשׁ - rᵊkúš): Refers to material wealth, primarily livestock (sheep, goats, cattle), and other movable property.
  • Gathered/Acquired (רָכָשׁוּ - rakášú): Verb related to the noun "rᵊkúš." It indicates active accumulation of wealth through their efforts and God's blessing in Haran. This signifies they were not destitute but had resources befitting a leading family, providing for a successful journey and establishment in Canaan.
• and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, (וְאֶת-הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר-עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן - w'et-han-népheš ʾašer-ʿaśú ba-Ḥáran):
  • People (הַנֶּפֶשׁ - han-népheš): Literally "the soul" or "the living being." In this context, it refers to individuals or persons.
  • Acquired (עָשׂוּ - ʿaśú): Literally "made" or "done." Here, it carries the nuance of acquiring or "making" people part of one's household through purchase, birth within the household (servants born into slavery), or possibly even dependents or retainers who chose to join Abram due to his influence and prosperity. This suggests a significant and growing retinue, not just a small family unit, underscoring Abram's status as a formidable patriarch. This forms the nascent community from which the future nation would emerge.
  • in Haran: Specifies where these people and wealth were accumulated, marking Haran as the last staging post before the divinely ordained destination. Haran itself was an important economic and religious center.
• and they set out to go to the land of Canaan; (וַיֵּצְאוּ לָלֶכֶת אַרְצָה כְּנַעַן - wa-yḗṣeʾu lālékhet ʾarṣá Kenáʿan):
  • Set out (יֵצְאוּ - yatsa') denotes their active departure.
  • To go to... Canaan: Canaan is presented as the clear and specific divine destination, a land central to God's covenant promises.
• and into the land of Canaan they came. (וַיָּבֹאוּ אַרְצָה כְּנָעַן - wa-yā́vōʾu ʾarṣá Kenáʿan):
  • Came (וַיָּבֹאוּ - va-yávoʾu): The verb of arrival signifies the successful completion of the journey and the immediate fulfillment of God's instruction to reach the destination. This shows divine enablement and the faithful perseverance of Abram and his household.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son: Emphasizes the immediate family unit and close relations accompanying Abram. This core group formed the foundational household of the patriarchal line, indicating that God's covenant was with Abram and his designated seed, not with him in isolation.
• all their possessions which they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran: This highlights Abram's substantial wealth and significant human retinue, establishing him as a prominent figure, a potential leader of a clan or tribe. This collective entity, not just individuals, begins the journey. It signifies the tangible results of God's blessing even before entering the promised land.
• they set out to go to the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came: This pairing of departure and arrival underscores the certainty and success of the divine mission. It wasn't a tentative trip, but a directed movement that achieved its God-ordained objective. The completion of the journey in reaching Canaan is explicitly stated, demonstrating immediate obedience and a secure beginning in the promised land.

Genesis 12 5 Bonus section

The phrase "the people whom they had acquired" (הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂוּ - han-népheš ʾašer-ʿaśú) has been a point of scholarly discussion. While some ancient interpretations, particularly some rabbinic commentaries, understood ʿaśú as "made" in the sense of making proselytes (individuals converted to Abram's belief in one God), the more widely accepted scholarly view, considering the linguistic and socio-economic context of the Ancient Near East, interprets it as acquiring slaves, servants, or retaining other individuals through economic means or birth within the household. This refers to the growth of his household/clan, which was the basis of social and economic power. Such a large retinue allowed Abram to defend himself (Gen 14:14, where he used "trained men born in his house") and conduct trade, underlining his status and God's prior blessings, which enabled him to fulfill God's command. This expansion of Abram's immediate circle through both birth and acquisition demonstrated his patriarchal authority and foresight, setting the stage for the growth of his "seed" into a multitude.

Genesis 12 5 Commentary

Genesis 12:5 is a critical verse because it documents Abram's comprehensive act of obedience. God's command in verse 1 was precise and demanding, requiring Abram to forsake his security and established life. Verse 5 reveals Abram's unreserved response, involving not only his personal willingness but the mobilization of his entire known world. His taking Sarai, Lot, his vast possessions, and his substantial "people whom he had acquired" signifies a faith that touched every aspect of his existence. This multitude of individuals, likely household members and dependents acquired through birth or purchase in Haran, highlights Abram's stature and wealth. They formed the embryonic "great nation" God had promised (Gen 12:2). This entire enterprise—the departure from a familiar place, the reliance on God for provision, and the arrival in a land designated by divine decree—is a powerful testament to the transformative power of obedient faith. This act foreshadows future biblical narratives of pilgrimage, God's provision for His people in unfamiliar lands, and the eventual entry of the Israelites into this same promised land under Joshua, many centuries later. It provides a blueprint for stepping out in faith when God calls, understanding that obedience often involves one's entire life and resources.