The Call of Abram

The LORD commanded Abram to depart from his country, his kindred, and his father's house to a land that the LORD would show him (Genesis 12:1). The LORD stated he would make Abram a great nation, bless him, and make his name great so that he would be a blessing. The text records a promise that those who blessed Abram would be blessed, and those who cursed him would be cursed, and through him all the families of the earth would be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3). Abram departed as the LORD had spoken, being seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Abram took his wife Sarai, his brother's son Lot, and all the possessions and people they had acquired in Haran to go into the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:4-5). Upon arriving in the land, Abram passed through to the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh, where the Canaanite was then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and stated that he would give this land to Abram's seed (Genesis 12:6-7). In response, Abram built an altar there unto the LORD who had appeared to him.

From there, Abram removed to a mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west and Hai on the east (Genesis 12:8). He built another altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD. Afterward, Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south (Genesis 12:9). The text does not say how long the journey took or specify the exact route taken between these locations beyond the geographical markers provided.