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27,299 commentary entries
The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:6-10
The promised land. I. WANDERINGS. Entering Canaan from the north, the Chaldsean emigrant directs his progress steadily towards the south, removing from station to station till he reaches the furthest limit of the land.…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:6-9
Revelations. We here enter upon the more special history of Divine appearances. Hitherto the word is described simply as a word—"The Lord said;" now we connect with the word distinct appearances. The plain of Moreh will…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:7
And the Lord appeared. The first mention of a theophany, though Acts 7:2 alleges that such a Divine manifestation had previously occurred in Ur of the Chaldees. Though not a direct vision of Jehovah (John 1:18), that th…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:7
Abraham worshipping. "And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, who appeared unto him." Abraham is at length Divinely informed that he is in the land hereafter to be his. He was at the spot where the great temple, to…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:8
And he removed—literally, caused (i.e. his tent) to be broken up (cf. Genesis 26:22—from thence—no cause for which being assigned, the hostility of his neighbors (Luther, Calvin) and the commencement of the famine (Alfo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:8
Abraham's altar. "And there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord." There is a solemn word (Matthew 10:32, Matthew 10:33). The distinction is not between Christians and heathen; it is w…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:9
And Abram journeyed (literally, broke up, e. g; his encampment, going on still—literally, going on and breaking up (cf. Genesis 8:3); "going and returning"—towards the south. Negleb, the dry region, from nagabh, to be d…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:10
Famines. 1. Not even the Holy Land is exempt from famine. Neither is the saint's condition free from suffering, nor the believer's portion on earth from defects. 2. Lands naturally fertile can be rendered barren by a wo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:10-20
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:10
And there was a famine. רָעָב, from a root signifying to hunger, the primary. idea appearing to lie in that of an ample, i.e. empty, stomach (Gesenius, Furst). The term is used of individuals, men or animal (Psalms 34:1…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:10
The descent into Egypt. I. THE STORY OF A GOOD MAN'S FALL. 1. Experiencing disappointment. Arrived in Canaan, the patriarch must have felt his heart sink as he surveyed its famine-stricken fields and heathen population;…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:10-20
The Church and the world. The genesis of intercourse and controversy between the kingdom of God and the world power, as represented in the great southern kingdom of Egypt. I. THE PRESSURE OF EARTHLY NECESSITIES FORMS TH…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:11-13
And it came to pass (literally, it was), when he was come near to enter into Egypt (that he had his misgivings, arising probably from his own eminence, which could scarcely fail to attract attention among strangers, but…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:13
Abraham and carnal policy. "Say, I pray thee, that thou art my sister: that it may be well with me.' These words were partially true (Genesis 11:20). Abraham had real ground for saying that Sarah was his sister, but he…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:16
And he entreated Abram well—literally, did good to Abram; ευ} e)xrh&santo (LXX; Hieronymus, Poole) supposes that the court of Pharaoh or the Egyptian people generally conferred favors on the patriarch, which is not at a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:17
And the Lord plagued (literally, struck) Pharaoh and his house with great plagues (or strokes, either of disease or death, or some other calamity—an indication that Pharaoh was not entirely innocent) because of Sarai Ab…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:20
And Pharaoh commanded his men (i.e. certain officers designated for the purpose) concerning him (to see to his departure): and they seat him away, and his wife, and all that he had. The partitionists assign this entire…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 12:20
Abram and Israel; a parallel. 1. Both were driven into Egypt by a famine. 2. To both the land of Egypt proved a house of bondage. 3. In each case the Pharaoh of the time was subjected to plagues. 4. Both were sent away…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 13:1-9
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 13:1
And Abram went up out of Egypt, he and his wife. A special mercy that either of them returned, considering the sin they had committed and the peril in which they had been placed. And all that he had. Referring principal…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 13:1-13
The separation between Abram and Lot. Return to Bethel—to the altar. The circumstances of the patriarch were very different. He was very rich. Lot is with him, and the sojourn in Egypt had far more depraving effect upon…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 13:2
And Abram was very rich. Literally, weighty; used in the sense of abundance (Exodus 12:38; 1 Kings 10:2; 2 Kings 6:14). In cattle. Mikneh, from kana, to acquire by purchase, may apply to slaves as well as cattle (cf. Ge…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 13:7
And there was a strife (originating doubtless in the scarcity of pasture, and having for its object the possession of the best wells and most fertile grounds) between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot. Perceiving probably that Lot's face was not towards him as usual, and being desirous to avert the danger of collision between his nephew and himself. Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between…