So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the Oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD. So Abram moved his tentThe phrase signifies a deliberate action by Abram, indicating his obedience and readiness to follow God's leading. The Hebrew root for "moved" is "nasa," which often implies a journey or pilgrimage. This movement is not just physical but spiritual, symbolizing Abram's faith journey. Abram's life was characterized by mobility, reflecting a life of faith and trust in God's promises. His tent, a temporary dwelling, symbolizes the transient nature of earthly life and the believer's journey towards a heavenly home. and went to live near the great trees of Mamre
The "great trees of Mamre" are significant both historically and spiritually. Mamre, an Amorite ally of Abram, is associated with strength and vision. The Hebrew word "elon" for "great trees" can also mean "oak" or "terebinth," symbolizing endurance and stability. These trees were landmarks and places of meeting and worship. Abram's choice to dwell here reflects a desire for communion with God and a strategic position for future events, including the divine visitation in Genesis 18. at Hebron
Hebron is one of the oldest cities in the world, rich in biblical history. The name "Hebron" comes from the Hebrew "chevron," meaning "association" or "alliance." It signifies fellowship and unity, both with God and with others. Hebron later becomes a significant city in Israel's history, serving as King David's first capital. Abram's settlement here foreshadows the city's future importance and highlights the theme of God's unfolding plan through history. where he built an altar to the LORD
Building an altar was a common practice for Abram, marking significant encounters with God. The Hebrew word for "altar" is "mizbeach," derived from "zabach," meaning "to sacrifice." This act of building an altar signifies worship, thanksgiving, and dedication to God. It represents Abram's acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and his commitment to live in obedience and faith. The altar at Hebron becomes a place of divine encounter, setting a pattern for future generations to seek God's presence and guidance. Persons / Places / Events 1. AbramLater known as Abraham, he is a central figure in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, Abram demonstrates his commitment to God by building an altar. 2. MamreA location near Hebron, known for its great trees. It becomes a significant place for Abram, where he settles and worships God. 3. HebronA city in the land of Canaan, which becomes an important site in biblical history. It is associated with the patriarchs and later becomes a city of refuge. 4. Altar to the LORDRepresents Abram's worship and dedication to God. Building altars was a common practice to honor God and seek His presence. Teaching Points Faithful ObedienceAbram's movement to Hebron and his altar-building demonstrate his obedience and faith in God's promises. We are called to trust and obey God, even when the path is uncertain. Worship as a PriorityAbram's immediate action to build an altar signifies the importance of worship in his life. We should prioritize worship and seek God's presence in our daily lives. Significance of PlaceJust as Mamre and Hebron became significant due to Abram's actions, our environments can become places of spiritual significance through our dedication to God. Legacy of FaithAbram's actions set a precedent for future generations. Our faith and actions can leave a lasting impact on those who come after us. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Abram's decision to build an altar at Hebron teach us about the importance of worship in our lives? 2. How can we demonstrate faithful obedience to God in our current circumstances, similar to Abram's journey? 3. In what ways can we make our homes or workplaces places of spiritual significance, akin to Abram's actions at Mamre? 4. How does Abram's faith journey inspire us to trust in God's promises, even when the outcome is not immediately visible? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt called to move or change direction in life. How did you seek God's guidance, and what was the outcome? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:7Abram builds an altar to the LORD when God first promises him the land, showing a pattern of worship and gratitude. Hebrews 11:8-10Highlights Abram's faith and obedience, emphasizing his willingness to follow God's call without knowing the destination. Psalm 84:1-4Reflects the joy and blessing of dwelling in the presence of the LORD, akin to Abram's desire to be near God. People Abram, Canaanites, Lot, Mamre, Perizzites, ZoarPlaces Ai, Bethel, Betonim, Canaan, Egypt, Gomorrah, Hebron, Jordan River, Negeb, Sodom, ZoarTopics Abram, Altar, Buildeth, Built, Dwelleth, Dwelt, Hebron, Holy, Living-place, Mamre, Moved, Moving, Oaks, Plain, Removed, Tent, Tenteth, Tents, Terebinths, Tree, TreesDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 13:18 4528 trees
5077 Abraham, character
5427 nomads
5578 tents
7302 altar Library July 21. "Look from the Place Where Thou Art" (Gen. xiii. 14).
"Look from the place where thou art" (Gen. xiii. 14). Let us now see the blessedness of faith. Our own littleness and nothingness sometimes becomes bondage. We are so small in our own eyes we dare not claim God's mighty promises. We say: "If I could be sure I was in God's way I could trust." This is all wrong. Self-consciousness is a great barrier to faith. Get your eyes on Him and Him alone; not on your faith, but on the Author of your faith; not a half look, but a steadfast, prolonged look, with …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth August 11. "All the Land which Thou Seest" (Gen. xiii. 15).
"All the land which thou seest" (Gen. xiii. 15). The actual provisions of His grace come from the inner vision. He who puts the instinct in the bosom of yonder bird to cross the continent in search of summer sunshine in yonder Southern clime is too good to deceive it, and just as surely as He has put the instinct in its breast, so has He also put the balmy breezes and the vernal sunshine yonder to meet it when it arrives. He who gave to Abraham the vision of the Land of Promise, also said in infinite …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The Importance of a Choice
'And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Hal; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Land of Promise
"All the Land which thou seest, to thee will I give it."--Gen. xiii. 15. Gertrude of Hellfde, 1330. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 It was as if upon His breast He laid His piercèd hand, And said "To thee, beloved and blest, I give this goodly land." O Land of fountains and of deeps, Of God's exhaustless store-- O blessed Land, where he who reaps Shall never hunger more-- O summer Land, for ever fair With God's unfading flowers; O Land, where spices fill the air, And songs the golden towers-- …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) The Wilderness: Temptation. Matthew 4:1-11. Mark 1:12, 13. Luke 4:1-13.
The University of Arabia: Jesus' naturalness--the Spirit's presence--intensity, Luke 2:45-51.--a true perspective--- the temptation's path--sin's path--John's grouping, 1 John 2:16.--the Spirit's plan--why--the devil's weakness--the Spirit's leading--a wilderness for every God-used man, Moses, Elijah, Paul. Earth's Ugliest, Deepest Scar: Jesus the only one led up to be tempted--the wilderness--its history, Genesis 13:10-13. 18:16-19:38.--Jesus really tempted--no wrong here in inner response--every …
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations Discourse on the Good Shepherd.
(Jerusalem, December, a.d. 29.) ^D John X. 1-21. ^d 1 Verily, verily, I say to you [unto the parties whom he was addressing in the last section], He that entereth not by the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. [In this section Jesus proceeds to contrast his own care for humanity with that manifested by the Pharisees, who had just cast out the beggar. Old Testament prophecies were full of declarations that false shepherds would arise to …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 13:18 NIVGenesis 13:18 NLTGenesis 13:18 ESVGenesis 13:18 NASBGenesis 13:18 KJV
Genesis 13:18 Commentaries
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