Genesis 12:10 - There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land.
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What does "Genesis 12:10" mean?
Genesis 12:10 is a straightforward statement about Abram (later known as Abraham) responding to a famine. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"There was a famine in the land." This establishes the setting: a shortage of food was affecting the region where Abram was living. This was a time of hardship, making survival difficult.
"Abram went down into Egypt..." Abram decided to leave the land of Canaan, where he was living, and travel to Egypt. "Went down" is a common biblical expression because Egypt is geographically lower than Canaan.
"...to live as a foreigner there..." Abram's intention was not to conquer or settle permanently in Egypt but to temporarily reside there as a "foreigner" or "sojourner" to escape the famine. He acknowledged he was not a native and would be subject to the laws and customs of Egypt.
"...for the famine was severe in the land." This explains why Abram went to Egypt. The famine was not a minor inconvenience; it was a serious threat to his survival and the survival of his household and livestock. Egypt, with its fertile Nile River, was likely to have more resources available during a regional famine.
In summary, the verse means that due to a harsh famine, Abram temporarily relocated to Egypt as a non-citizen to survive until conditions improved in his own land.
This verse is important because it sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Abram encounters problems in Egypt due to his wife Sarai's beauty (Genesis 12:11-20). It also demonstrates Abram's resourcefulness and willingness to take action to protect himself and his family.
Genesis 12:10 - There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land.
What does "Genesis 12:10" mean?
Genesis 12:10 is a straightforward statement about Abram (later known as Abraham) responding to a famine. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"There was a famine in the land." This establishes the setting: a shortage of food was affecting the region where Abram was living. This was a time of hardship, making survival difficult.
"Abram went down into Egypt..." Abram decided to leave the land of Canaan, where he was living, and travel to Egypt. "Went down" is a common biblical expression because Egypt is geographically lower than Canaan.
"...to live as a foreigner there..." Abram's intention was not to conquer or settle permanently in Egypt but to temporarily reside there as a "foreigner" or "sojourner" to escape the famine. He acknowledged he was not a native and would be subject to the laws and customs of Egypt.
"...for the famine was severe in the land." This explains why Abram went to Egypt. The famine was not a minor inconvenience; it was a serious threat to his survival and the survival of his household and livestock. Egypt, with its fertile Nile River, was likely to have more resources available during a regional famine.
In summary, the verse means that due to a harsh famine, Abram temporarily relocated to Egypt as a non-citizen to survive until conditions improved in his own land.
This verse is important because it sets the stage for the next part of the story, where Abram encounters problems in Egypt due to his wife Sarai's beauty (Genesis 12:11-20). It also demonstrates Abram's resourcefulness and willingness to take action to protect himself and his family.