Genesis — Chapter 12

King James Version (KJV)

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Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD ^Rhad said unto Abram, ^RGet thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a ^Rgreat nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and ^Rthou shalt be a blessing:

Genesis 12:3 ^RAnd I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and ^Rin thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; ^Rand Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he ^Rdeparted out of Haran.

Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and ^Rthe souls that they had ^Rgotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; ^Rand into the land of Canaan they came.

Genesis 12:6 And Abram ^Rpassed through the land unto the place of ^RSichem, unto the ^Tplain of ^RMoreh. And the ^RCanaanite was then in the land.

Genesis 12:7 And the ^RLORD appeared unto Abram, and said, ^RUnto thy seed will I give this land: and there ^Rbuilded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east ^Rof Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and ^RHai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and ^Rcalled upon the name of the LORD.

Genesis 12:9 And Abram journeyed, ^RTgoing on still toward the south.

Genesis 12:10 And there ^Rwas a famine in the land: and Abram ^Rwent down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.

Genesis 12:11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art ^Ra fair woman to look upon:

Genesis 12:12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they ^Rwill kill me, but they will save thee alive.

Genesis 12:13 Say, I pray thee, ^Rthou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Genesis 12:14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians ^Rbeheld the woman that she was very fair.

Genesis 12:15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was ^Rtaken into Pharaoh’s house.

Genesis 12:16 ^RAnd he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Genesis 12:17 And the LORD ^Rplagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife.

Genesis 12:18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, ^RWhat is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife?

Genesis 12:19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.

Genesis 12:20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they ^Rsent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 12:1–3 — The LORD Calls Abram

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The LORD commands Abram to leave his country, kindred, and father’s house for a land God will show him. God promises to make of Abram a great nation, bless him, make his name great, and bring blessing through him.

Key Truth: Abram’s journey begins with God’s command and promises.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 12:4–9 — Abram Enters Canaan

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Abram obeys and leaves Haran at seventy-five years old with Sarai, Lot, and their possessions. In Canaan the LORD appears to Abram and promises the land to his seed. Abram builds altars and calls upon the name of the LORD.

Key Truth: Abram responds to God’s word by going to Canaan and worshipping the LORD.

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📖 What We’re Reading

Genesis 12:10–20 — Abram in Egypt

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

A grievous famine leads Abram into Egypt. Fearing for his life because of Sarai’s beauty, Abram asks her to say she is his sister. Sarai is taken into Pharaoh’s house, but the LORD plagues Pharaoh and his household, and Pharaoh sends Abram and Sarai away.

Key Truth: The LORD intervenes in Egypt and Sarai is returned to Abram.

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