share torah logo

Genesis 12:7 - Divine promise, Abram's altar.

Genesis 12:7 - בראשית 12:7

Hebrew Text

וַיֵּרָא יְהוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם וַיֹּאמֶר לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת וַיִּבֶן שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהוָה הַנִּרְאֶה אֵלָיו׃

English Translation

And the Lord appeared to Avram, and said, To thy seed will I give this land: and there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

Transliteration

Vayera Adonai el-Avram vayomer lezar'akha etten et-ha'aretz hazot vayiven sham mizbe'ach la'Adonai hanir'eh elav.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיֵּרָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וַיִּ֤בֶן שָׁם֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לַיהֹוָ֖ה הַנִּרְאֶ֥ה אֵלָֽיו׃
וַיֵּרָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וַיִּ֤בֶן שָׁם֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לַיהֹוָ֖ה הַנִּרְאֶ֥ה אֵלָֽיו׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Appearance of Hashem to Avram

The verse states, "וַיֵּרָא יְהוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם" ("And the Lord appeared to Avram"). Rashi (Bereshit 12:7) explains that this appearance was a nevuah (prophecy) to comfort Avram after his arrival in the land of Canaan. The Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:1) teaches that prophecy is a divine communication granted to those who have perfected their intellect and character, emphasizing Avram's spiritual greatness.

The Promise of the Land

Hashem declares, "לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת" ("To your seed I will give this land"). The Sforno (Bereshit 12:7) notes that this promise was not yet fulfilled in Avram's lifetime, as the land would only be inherited by his descendants after the Exodus from Egypt. The Ramban (Bereshit 12:6) adds that this promise establishes Eretz Yisrael as the eternal inheritance of the Jewish people, a foundational concept in Jewish thought.

Avram's Response: Building an Altar

The verse concludes, "וַיִּבֶן שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהוָה הַנִּרְאֶה אֵלָיו" ("And there he built an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him"). Rashi explains that Avram built the altar in gratitude for the promise of children and land. The Kli Yakar (Bereshit 12:7) highlights that this act of avodah (service) was a public declaration of faith, countering the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites.

  • Spiritual Significance: The altar symbolizes Avram's recognition of Hashem's providence and his commitment to spreading monotheism (Midrash Tanchuma, Lech Lecha 10).
  • Location: The Ramban suggests that this altar was built near Shechem, a place later associated with significant events in Jewish history (e.g., the covenant at Har Gerizim and Har Eival).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Berakhot 7a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the nature of divine appearances and the significance of God's promises to Abraham.
📖 Sotah 14a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the mitzvah of emulating God's attributes, particularly in the context of visiting the sick, as God appeared to Abraham after his circumcision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Hashem appear to Avram in this verse?
A: Hashem appeared to Avram to reaffirm the promise of giving the land of Canaan to his descendants. This was part of the covenant between Hashem and Avram, showing divine approval and encouragement as Avram began his journey in the land (Rashi on Genesis 12:7).
Q: What is the significance of Avram building an altar in this verse?
A: Avram built an altar to express gratitude to Hashem for the divine revelation and the promise of the land. Altars in the Torah often symbolize a place of connection to Hashem, and Avram's action sets an example of acknowledging and thanking Hashem for blessings (Ramban on Genesis 12:7).
Q: Why does the verse say 'to your seed' and not just 'to you'?
A: The phrase 'to your seed' emphasizes that the promise of the land is not just for Avram personally, but for his future descendants—the Jewish people. This highlights the eternal covenant between Hashem and the children of Israel (Sforno on Genesis 12:7).
Q: How does this verse connect to Jewish belief today?
A: This verse is foundational in Judaism because it establishes the Jewish people's eternal connection to the land of Israel. Orthodox Jews see this as a divine promise that remains valid, reinforcing the bond between the Jewish nation and Eretz Yisrael (Midrash Bereishit Rabbah 39:8).
Q: What can we learn from Avram's reaction to Hashem's appearance?
A: Avram's immediate response—building an altar—teaches us the importance of recognizing Hashem's presence in our lives and responding with gratitude and devotion. This sets a model for how Jews should react to divine blessings (Talmud, Sotah 14a).