Genesis 12:1
Genesis 12 :1
The LORD had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you.'
— NIV
Context
God's initial call to Abram (later Abraham) to leave Haran and journey to Canaan.
Genesis 12:1
The pivotal call of Abraham, marking the beginning of the patriarchal narratives and God’s covenant relationship with the chosen people.
Significance
This verse represents a turning point in Genesis—from primeval history (creation, flood, Babel) to the particular history of one family through whom God will work. The command “Lech-lecha” (לֶךְ־לְךָ֛) literally means “go for yourself” or “go to yourself,” suggesting both a physical journey and a journey of self-discovery.
The Three-fold Leaving
Abraham is called to leave:
- His country (eretz) - the familiar land
- His people (moledeth) - his broader kinship group
- His father’s household (beit av) - his immediate family
Each level represents increasing intimacy, making the call progressively more demanding.