Genesis 13:4
to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Abram returns to the very spot where he had first built an altar, but the text subtly suggests the altar itself may be gone or ruined. This signifies that even though the physical structure of his worship might be lost, the act of calling on God's name is what truly sustains his faith and connection to Him.
After returning from Egypt, Abram and his nephew Lot found their large households had grown so wealthy that the land couldn't support them all together, leading to quarrels between their shepherds. Abram, to preserve peace, generously offered Lot the first choice of land, which Lot took, choosing the well-watered Jordan plain near Sodom, while Abram settled in Canaan. This separation, though painful, paved the way for God to reaffirm His promises of land and countless descendants to Abram alone.
Abram doesn't just go back to Bethel; he goes back to the place of the altar. What does this signify for his faith journey?
After his detour in Egypt, Abram strategically returns to the place where he had previously built an altar. This wasn't just a geographical landmark; it was a significant site of encounter with God.
A Marker of Faith
The altar represented a place where Abram had acknowledged God's presence and sovereignty, likely offering sacrifices and prayers.
Acknowledging Missteps
Returning to this specific spot, even if the physical altar was gone (as some commentators suggest it may have fallen or been removed), shows Abram's desire to reconnect with his foundational faith after a period of compromise or reliance on his own strength in Egypt. It’s a tangible act of repentance and a re-centering of his life on God.
Abram 'called upon the name of the LORD.' What deeper meaning does this phrase hold for his relationship with God?
The act of 'calling upon the name of the LORD' (or 'invoking the name of the LORD') is richer than simply saying a prayer. It signifies a public declaration and a deep reliance on God's character and authority.
A Profession of Faith
For Abram, returning to this place and calling on God's name was a public recommitment. It was a way to profess his allegiance to the one true God, distinguishing himself from the surrounding idolatrous cultures.
Expressing Gratitude and Trust
Given his recent experience in Egypt and the potential dangers faced, this act likely included deep gratitude for God's protection and a renewed trust in God's promises for the future. It was an acknowledgment that all his well-being—from sustenance to safety—was dependent on the LORD.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title for God, typically representing the proper name of the God of Israel (Yahweh). It denotes His covenantal faithfulness, His eternal existence, and His personal relationship with His people.
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
A place of sacrifice, typically constructed of earth or unhewn stones. In the Old Testament, it serves as a site of meeting between God and man, representing worship, atonement, and the public acknowledgment of divine grace.
qara b'shem · Hebrew Verb Phrase
To call upon, invoke, or proclaim the name of the Lord. It signifies an act of public worship, prayer, and confession of faith in the character and authority of God.
Abram's return to Bethel and his act of worship at the site of his former altar demonstrate a profound act of repentance and re-dedication after a period of compromised faith in Egypt. It highlights how returning to familiar places of worship and prayer can be a powerful way to reconnect with God and reaffirm His promises.
~1800 BC
Abram enters Canaan
Abram and his family migrate to the land of Canaan, a significant journey marking a new chapter under God's promise.
~1800 BC
Abram sojourns in Egypt
Due to famine in Canaan, Abram travels to Egypt, where he is blessed with great wealth but also experiences a lapse in faith. This event directly precedes his return to Canaan and the incident described in Genesis 13.
~1800 BC— this verse
Abram's return to Bethel
Abram returns from Egypt to Bethel, the place where he had previously built an altar and called upon the Lord. This return signifies his repentance and recommitment to God after his sojourn in Egypt.
~1800 BC
Strife between shepherds
The growing wealth of Abram and Lot leads to conflict between their shepherds over pasture and water resources, threatening their peaceful coexistence.
This verse describes Abram's first recorded act of worship after arriving in Canaan, highlighting a pattern of calling on the Lord whenever he set up a new dwelling place.
Psalm 116:17-19This passage speaks of offering thanksgiving sacrifices and calling on the Lord's name, mirroring Abram's actions as a response to God's deliverance and provision.
1 Corinthians 1:18-20This New Testament passage contrasts the 'wisdom of the world' with God's wisdom, which can be seen in Abram's reliance on God (calling on His name) rather than solely on his own understanding, especially after his mistake in Egypt.
1 Peter 1:6-7Peter describes believers experiencing trials to test their faith, similar to Abram returning to a place of worship after a difficult experience, showing that true faith perseveres through adversity.
gillGenesis 13:4: "Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD."
Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first,.... When he first came to that place, and before he went down to Egypt: it is not said he came to the altar, but "to the place", where it had stood, for it seems now to have been demolished, either having fallen of itself, being made of earth, or had been destroyed by the Canaanites, since Abram left…
calvinGenesis 13:1-20: "And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south."
Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Numquid non omnis terra est coram to? separa to nunc ame: si ieris ad sinistram, dextram tenebo: et si ad dextram ieris, sinistram tenebo.
And Lot lifted up his…
Abram returns to the very spot where he had first built an altar, but the text subtly suggests the altar itself may be gone or ruined. This signifies that even though the physical structure of his worship might be lost, the act of calling on God's name is what truly sustains his faith and connection to Him.
After returning from Egypt, Abram and his nephew Lot found their large households had grown so wealthy that the land couldn't support them all together, leading to quarrels between their shepherds. Abram, to preserve peace, generously offered Lot the first choice of land, which Lot took, choosing the well-watered Jordan plain near Sodom, while Abram settled in Canaan. This separation, though painful, paved the way for God to reaffirm His promises of land and countless descendants to Abram alone.
After returning from Egypt, Abram and his nephew Lot found their large households had grown so wealthy that the land couldn't support them all together, leading to quarrels between their shepherds. Abram, to preserve peace, generously offered Lot the first choice of land, which Lot took, choosing the well-watered Jordan plain near Sodom, while Abram settled in Canaan. This separation, though painful, paved the way for God to reaffirm His promises of land and countless descendants to Abram alone.
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~1800 BC
Abram and Lot separate
To resolve the conflict, Abram generously allows Lot to choose the land first, leading to Lot's decision to settle near the wicked cities of the plain.
~1800 BC
God reaffirms promises to Abram
After Lot's departure, God speaks to Abram, reconfirming the promise of the land and an innumerable seed, strengthening Abram's faith and resolve.
"to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD." — Abram returns to the very spot where he had first built an altar, but the text subtly suggests the altar itself may be gone or ruined. This signifies that even though the physical structure of his wo…
