Genesis-chapter 17

17

1.When Abram was ninety nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. 35:11; Deut. 18:13; 2 Kings 20:3

How God appeared to Abraham we are not told, but we do
know that from John 1:18 Abraham did not see God as he is. We do though have a hint as to How God may have appeared to Abraham by reading how God appeared to Moses on mount Sinai (Compare Exo 3:1-3). It has been approximately thirteen years since God last appeared and spoke to Abram. Why has there been such a long time since their first meeting? God doesn’t reveal this to us in his-story so one can only guess. Could it be that maybe God was testing Abram to see if he would keep the faith and stay true to Gods ways? There are other instances in the bible where certain people lost their faith in God and resorted to Baal worship and pagan practices because they may have felt that God had abandoned them. We don’t see this in Abrams case. Abram undoubtedly kept worshiping God and obeying Him, loving Him, and keeping remembrance of Him. When God approaches Abram for the first time in thirteen years or so He starts by reminding Abram That He (God) is all powerful, that is also to say “there is nothing He can’t do” it is to remind Abram who and what He is. And God tells him “walk before me” (be like Me and be blameless as I am Holy and without blame or sin). God is telling Abram “you can be like Me if you will indeed keep the faith and do as I say. There has only been one human who has ever walked this earth that lived His whole life blameless and without sin, that is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, who, by His perfect life, was sacrificed once for all mans sin, that we all can share in the promises God will give Abram. Where God can look upon us all, blameless and without sin, a holy people, complete in all our being, and become part of Gods family and be able to walk uprightly as we enter into Gods kingdom. Just as Abram, through his faith, was found righteous in Gods eyes, we who have the faith of Abraham share in this promise (Gal 3:26-29).

2. “And I will make my covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” 15:18
3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying:
4 “As for Me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. Rom. 4:11, 12, 16

In my opinion, Because God has now found Abram to have passed this test that I spoke of earlier, that he can now expand on the covenant that he previously made with him and remind him of the promise that He (God) will multiply Abram and his seed exceedingly. Abram, in recognition of who God is, and out of respect, bows down before Him and gives honor to the Almighty One, in a show that he does and will indeed walk with God. Just a reminder to the reader here, a covenant is a contract between two parties who make a promise to one another to fulfill certain obligations with the other.

5 “No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. Neh. 9:7

Abraham: (H85): אברהם: ‘abrâhâm
BDB Definition: Abraham = “father of a multitude” or “chief of multitude”
1) friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant

I have purposely been calling Abraham by his birth name Abram throughout the course of my studies up until now. I do out of respect for God and His word. Up until now God called him Abram and his wife’s birth name of Sarai. Who am I to go against my fathers will? So, Now that God is changing their names I too will be calling the “father of faith” Abraham, and Sarai by her new name Sarah (in which we see God telling Abraham that this will be their new names). Bible scholars from the past to present pretty much agree as to the reason for this. With this in mind I will quote from the church that I attend which is The United Church of God; as to why the name change:

Up to Genesis 16 the Scriptures always use the birth names Abram, which means “Exalted Father,” and Sarai, meaning “Princess.” But, here in Genesis 17, God bestows new names on them. Abraham means “Father of a Multitude” and Sarah, while still retaining the sense of “Princess,” seems to mean one of an even higher station (e.g., it is derived from the same word translated “queen” in Isaiah 49:23). Interestingly, both new names differ from Abram and Sarai by the addition of one letter in the Hebrew—the letter He, pronounced, like the English H, as a breath of air, which is often a symbol of God’s Spirit. Though there may be no significance to this, becoming new persons and circumcision can both picture spiritual conversion. In any event, whether Abraham and Sarah received the indwelling of God’s Spirit at this particular time or not, we do know for certain that they did receive it at some point (compare 1 Peter 1:11)—for they will be in the Kingdom of God, and only the converted have that honor (Rom 8:9, 11).

6 “I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

◊7″And I will establish my covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 26:24; Ezek. 16:60

8″Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” Ex. 6:7

This is the first time we see God include in His promise to Abraham that he will be the father of many nations and that Kings will come from his seed. Before this time all God told Abraham is that his descendants would as many as the stars in heaven and the sands of the earth. God also tells Abraham for the first time that this covenant between him and God includes his descendants forever and ever, (Which are the descendants of Isaac and Jacob), not Ishmael and his descendants. And the land in which Abraham now lives will be handed down from generation to generation for ever and ever, and that He who created all things, the Alpha and the Omega, the Great Elohim will be their God.
The fact that God has been reminding Abraham that he is a stranger in this land, and God reiterates this throughout the Bible; has lead me to think about this remark and brought me to this thought. Now mind you this is my opinion and I have not heard this preached at my church, or on any websites that I have gone to, or any commentaries I have read thus far, but I believe that all of Gods children that have ever lived, are now living, and those in the future who have the faith of Abraham, and God’s spirit, are in a world where we are strangers. Let me explain: God created the heavens and earth, and all things that were made, were made by Him. No matter where we live on this planet we had no hand in it’s creation. We did not create the herbs of the fields nor the trees of the forest. We did not create the animals or the creatures of the sea, or the birds of the air. We did not make the rock or the soil in which we use to make our skyscrapers and places of dwelling. We did not make the ore of the earth in which we use to make so many things. Not just that it was God who gave us the brain we use to come up with the inventions that man has made to make life easier and more enjoyable for us. We are all truly strangers in a land that God calls the dry land earth and the waters the seas. If you are a student of the bible then you are familiar with the saying that we who have been called and chosen are not of this world (John 17:14-16). We are told that one day, we will be joint Heirs with Christ, that God will give us all things. we are told that we will be like God, (mind you I said like God not God). He will always be the one true God and there will never be another. But with this in mind maybe, just maybe, that in Gods kingdom we will be able to create our own heavens and earth and there we will not be called strangers anymore. I once took my family far out in the country where we were far enough away from all the city lights. When the sun went down and it was totally dark we all laid down on the ground and looked up into the heavens (you see so many more stars without the city lights), and I gave them my opinion on what I think could be a part of our inheritance. This is just one mans vision of the Kingdom. I told them that I believe that God will give all those in his kingdom (His children), a planet that has our own personal name on it which we can create however we like, pro-create man in the image of God and have our own children and bring them up in the knowledge of the Lord, just as God did here on planet earth.

9 And God said to Abraham: “As for you you shall keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. Ex. 19:5

The covenant here between Abraham and God is one that will be passed down from generation to generation. I have already explained in some part what the actions of a covenant represent when two parties enter into this pact. But now I feel it my duty to explain in great detail the Covenants that are strictly between God and man. Instead of me trying to put into my own words of that what is taught as doctrinal beliefs in the church I attend, I will instead just copy and paste certain portions of the doctrinal
papers that was approved by the council of elders for the United Church of God back in August of 2002. You can click on the link if you care to read our doctrinal beliefs in its entirety. Here now are excerpts from their doctrinal papers:

From Genesis to Revelation, there are numerous covenants God establishes with mankind. In the Scriptures, when a covenant is
made by God, it is in the context of instituting a positive, loving
relationship with the person or persons involved. Since all these
covenants were initiated by Him, they are consequently based on
His perfect and holy character. Each one reflects His love and
concern for man at different stages of human history. As James
states, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). This principle applies to God’s covenants as well. Therefore, it is important to note from the start that all of God’s covenants descend from Him and are always given for man’s benefit. They are based on the premises of love, grace, faith and obedience. Although the conditions of these different covenants would vary, being greatly
influenced by man’s decisions to obey or disobey God’s holy laws, the underlying loving principles of God’s covenants would remain the same.
Covenant Relationships At the heart of the biblical meaning of a covenant is the concept of God and man, or man and fellow man, forming a special relationship or bond. In that vein, the covenants of God formally declare His will and purpose in different situations. God’s covenants are an expression of His deep love for humanity and are major benchmarks along the way of His developing plan For all of humanity. They serve as a kind of divine constitution or ordinance governing human relations with Him.

10 “This is my covenant which you shall keep, between me
and you and your descendants after you: every male child
among you shall be circumcised;
11 “and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your
foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me
and you. 9:13; Ex. 31:13, 17
12 “He who is eight days old among you shall be
circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who
is born in your house or bought with your money from any
foreigner who is not your descendant. Luke. 2:21
13 “He who is born in your house and he who is bought
with your money must be circumcised, and my covenant
shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 “And the uncircumcised male child, who is not
circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be
cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”

Again I will refer to the doctrinal paper of the United Church of God to explain this special Covenant between not only Abraham (as we will see) but with his descendants (including Ishmael and his descendants) and for all mankind.

Through Abraham’s faith and obedience, God institutes a
special relationship not only with Abraham, but with his
descendants through Isaac and Jacob. Great promises
would be made to Abraham—the physical promises to him
and his descendants and the spiritual promises of God’s
grace to all humanity, through the promised Seed, Christ
(Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:15-18). The sign of circumcision
is given as a new covenant relationship with Abraham’s
descendants through Isaac and Jacob. God told Abraham: “As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child
Among you shall be circumcised” (Gen 17:9-10). Though also included later in the covenant.

THE COVENANTS OF GOD
Doctrinal Paper
Page 7
Approved August 2002
At Sinai (Leviticus 12:3), circumcision was originally introduced as a token of covenantal responsibilities for all of Abraham’s descendants, not just for the nations of Israel and Judah. It came into existence as a token of covenant responsibility, not as a badge of national superiority, as it was later misrepresented in Judaism. One interesting fact we learn about Abraham is that he kept God’s law. Notice Genesis 26:5: “Because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.” Interestingly, in the midst of a narrative book, we read a comment that indicates clearly that Abraham kept the laws of God, and that those laws, though yet to be codified for the nation of Israel, were in existence well before Sinai. Thus we see that Abraham, referred to as the “father of the faithful” in the New Testament, was one who kept the commandments of God.

The United Church of God references The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, and its comment on Genesis 26:5:

The Lord then added a remarkable note: Abraham “kept my requirements [mismarti], my commands [miswotay], my decrees [huqqotay] and my laws [wetorotay]” (v. 5). It is remarkable that this is precisely the way in which obedience to the Sinai covenant is expressed in Deuteronomy 11:1: “Love the LORD your God and keep his requirements [mismarto], his decrees [huqqotayw], his laws [mispatayw] and his commands [miswotayw]”…. Thus Abraham is an example of one who shows the law written on his heart (Jeremiah 31:33). He is the writer’s ultimate example of true obedience to the law, the one about whom the Lord could say, “Abraham obeyed me” (v. 5). Thus, by showing Abraham to be an example of “keeping the law,” the writer has shown the nature of the relationship between the law and faith. Abraham, a man who lived in faith, could be described as one who kept the law (Vol. 2, pp. 186-187). As a result of this covenant, God promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan. From a small family, the 12 descendants of Jacob would become 12 tribes and Joseph’s descendants would eventually become a great nation and a company of nations (Gen 48:19).

15 Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you
shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name

Sarai, (H8297): שׂרי: śâray;
BDB Definition: Sarai = “princess” 1)original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham

Sarah, (H8283): שׂרי: śârâh; BDB Definition: Sarah = “noblewoman”
1) wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac

16 “And I will bless her and also give you a son by her;
then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations;
kings of peoples shall be from her.” v. 6; 35:11

When we look at the distinction of the meanings of the two
names we can see why God changed Sarai’s name to Sarah.
It wasn’t up until this time that Sarah was blessed by God.
The name Sarai is of a lower statue than that of Sarah.
“Sarah” meaning noblewoman can also be interpreted to
mean Queen. The United Church of God explains it this
way:

Genesis 17 also records the renaming of Abram and Sarai.
Up to Genesis 16 the Scriptures always use the birth names
Abram, which means “Exalted Father,” and Sarai, meaning
“Princess.” But, here in Genesis 17, God bestows new names
on them. Abraham means “Father of a Multitude” and
Sarah, while still retaining the sense of “Princess,” seems to
mean one of an even higher station (e.g., it is derived from
the same word translated “queen” in Isaiah 49:23).
Interestingly, both new names differ from Abram and Sarai
by the addition of one letter in the Hebrew—the letter He,
pronounced, like the English H, as a breath of air, which is
often a symbol of God’s Spirit.

17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in
his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred
years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a
child?” v. 1

God knows the hearts of man, we don’t have to speak out in order for God to know what we are feeling inside. Abraham does not speak aloud but in his mind and his heart he thinks to himself that he and Sarah are way beyond their years to bear children. I’ve read some commentaries that
say that Abraham’s laughter was that of joy and not mockery which I can see where they get that, but I would carry that one step further and say that in my opinion his laughter is one of an enlightenment of what God had planned all along, let me see if I can explain myself: it’s like Abraham is thinking to himself “ha ha ha, I get it now, when you said I would be blessed and have many descendants you intended for this blessing to include Sarah; the woman I love, okay, ha ha ha, how could I have been so blind?”
The other thing I would like to point out here is the similarity between the birth of Isaac and that of Jesus Christ. Just as it would seem impossible for Sarah to have a child at her age so to was our Lord born of a virgin never having slept with a man. There is nothing that God can’t do. This isn’t the only similarity between these two men as we will see Later on in genesis chapter 22.

18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before you!”

Even though Ishmael is not of Sarah s’ seed he is still Abraham s’ own flesh and blood and he loves him dearly. So he pleads to God to pass this covenant onto Ishmael.

◊19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a
son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish my
covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his
descendants after him. 21:2

Isaac, (H3327): יצחק: yitschâq
BDB Definition: Isaac = “he laughs”
1) son of Abraham by Sarah his wife and father of Jacob and Esau

God has to reiterate to Abraham that the covenant he
makes with Abraham is to be through the seed of Sarah and
not with the mother of Ishmael.

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold I have
blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply
him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will
make him a great nation. 16: 10-12
21 “But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom
Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.”
22 Then he finished talking with him, and God went up
from Abraham.

God assures Abraham that he has not forgotten about
Ishmael and that he (Ishmael) is a part of the blessing as far
as the blessing to Abraham being the father of many
nations. Ismael’s seed will be abundant and the nation
that comes out of his seed will be only one of the many
nations that God promises to Abraham. We notice here that
Ishmael s seed will be made up of twelve princes. We can
find the names of these twelve princes in Genesis chapter
25:13-15. one other thing I think worth mentioning is that
when we look at the blessings between Hagar and Sarah we
find the differences between them: first Hagar s name stays
the same and her son will bear 12 princes of only one
nation, whereas Sarai s name was changed to Sarah which
as I showed previously means noblewoman, and that she is
to be a mother of many nations and kings. So Ishmael is
not forgotten by God nor are his descendants to this day.
In my opinion this one nation is the nation of Islam (as it is known today). Also we see here in this prophecy that God does not forget The covenant he establishes with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; this covenant in verse 21. so God finishes Talking with Abraham and he ascends back to His throne which is in heaven. But this will not be the last time in which God speaks to Abraham.

23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him.
24 Abraham was ninety- nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Rom. 4:10

25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael;
27 and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner were circumcised with him.

Abraham does as God commanded him and not only circumcises himself but also his son Ishmael, and all the men that are in his household. This shows to me the faith that Abraham has in God: think of it; to be circumcised at that age without modern pain medication or anything must have been very hard to go through. It probably took weeks for him to heal completely and get back on his feet. Imagine having to urinate, and the thought that every time you did the pain you were going to have to endure. It took tremendous faith on Abraham s part to carry through with this covenant. I must also bring the reader to the attention that Ishmael (Father of the Arab speaking people and the Islamic nation) was circumcised and this practice has carried on to this day in the Islamic nation. We must consider this as we think about how evil the Islamic nation has become. We must remind ourselves (the Christian people) that God loves the Islamic nation (for they are his children also) and one day he will open their eyes and take that hatred they have for the Israelite nation out of their hearts and they will be reconciled with their brothers and sisters of the Israelite nation and we will all be a part of Gods family as it was preordained from the beginning of time.
The fact that even those who were not of Hebrew descent were also circumcised is to me a foreshadow of the fact that we are all grafted into Gods family those of us who have the faith of Abraham. Some of those men that are mentioned as being of Abraham s house are bought from foreigners (which means that these men were from another tribe other than the Hebrews), this could be a foreshadow of things to come as mentioned in Romans chapter four (Compare Rom 4:8-25). One last thing to note here before I close out this chapter and that is about the circumcision and when it was to be performed after the birth. Every male child is to be circumcised on the eighth day. It is not until the eighth day of birth that the clotting of blood is at its peak and it is therefore safe for the newborn to be circumcised after the seventh day. This was not known to Abraham at this time and was not known to man period, until thousands of years later. This however was known to God, for He created man.

Genesis-chapter 16

16

1. Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had born him no children. And
she had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. 11:30; 15:2; 21:2
2 So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the Lord has
restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram
heeded the voice of Sarai. 3:17; 30:3

This is the second time we see mention the fact that Sarai
has not had any children. The first mention of this is back
in Gen 11:30 when God first appeared to Abram and called
him out of the land of the Chaldeans. The promise that God
gives to Abram about his descendants on those occasions
never mentions that his descendants would come from his
wife Sarai (Compare Gen 12:7, 13:14-16, 15:1-5). Not once is Abram’s wife Sarai, nor her seed, or out of her bowels mentioned in this promise. As was the custom of those days if a woman was barren, and if she had sisters, it was the duty of the sister to give the husband a child.
(a male child preferably), since Sarai has no relatives with her then the next in line could be that of a bondwoman (who in those days were treated as family and not as a slave as we define slavery today). Hence we are introduced to Hagar. Sarai was well in her seventies at this time and
beyond her time of conceiving children. This is not Scriptural, but in my opinion, human nature being what it is, led Sarai to come to the conclusion that it would not be through her womb in which the promise would be fulfilled. And we see that Abram listened to Sarai and was convinced by her that his descendants would not be through her. This
takes me back to the Garden where Adam heeded the voice of Eve and Eve convinced him to eat of the forbidden fruit. We know what the outcome of that was, and mankind is still paying the penalty for that decision. The same could be said of Abram and Sarai for this decision to have Hagar
conceive through Abram. Think about it; If Abram had not heeded the voice of Sarai and let nature (or God that is), work it out for them, we would not have all the strife going on in the mid-east as we do today and for that matter throughout history. We must remember that it is through
Hagar that the Arab people came to fruition along with Mohammedanism and Islam. It is my belief that it is divine providence that is being played out here. For those who do not understand what I mean hear let me give the definition according to the Webster dictionary:

Providence 1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or application.

2. In theology, the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures. He that acknowledges a creation and denies a providence, involves himself in a palpable contradiction; for the same power which caused a thing to exist is necessary to continue its existence. Some persons admit a general providence, but deny a particular providence, not
considering that a general providence consists of particulars. A belief in divine providence, is a source of great consolation to good men. By divine providence is often understood God himself.

3 Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan.

4 So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived, her mistress
became despised in her eyes.

Abram could not lie with Hagar to conceive a child unless they were married, according to the customs of the time. So in essence Hagar became a second wife to Abram. In my opinion The marriage between Abram and Hagar was Sarai’s and Abram’s way of rationalizing the legitimacy of Abram sleeping with another woman. Now when Hagar
became pregnant she became hostile towards Sarai (Abrams legitimate wife in Gods eyes), and the one whom Abram loved. We see the same story played out in the book of Samuel between Hannah and Peninnah the two wives of Elkanah ( 1 Sam 1:1-7). I would like to point out here that in both instances (and also in other same circumstances in the bible), that it is the
Woman whom Both Abram and Elkanah loved the dearest that God recognizes as the legitimate lineage leading to the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. For God knows the hearts of men and respects the love aspect of it (if you Will). For God Is Love.

5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “My wrong be upon you! I gave
my maid into your embrace; and when she saw that she had
conceived, I became despised in her eyes. The Lord judge
between you and me.” 31:53

The first thing that comes to mind for me is Genesis
chapter two (Gen 2:23-24). It does not say that man shall cleave to his wives (plural), but to his wife (singular), There will never be peace in the
house when there are two women vying for the affections of one man. God never intended that the bond between man and woman to be anything but one man and one woman, PERIOD! The relationship between Sarai and Hagar, and also between Hannah and Peninnah are two good examples of what can happen in this kind of relationship. Notice the oxymoron being played here by Sarai: she acknowledges that she was in the wrong for allowing this marriage between Abram and Hagar, yet in the same sentence she says to Abram, “The Lord judge between you and me” and attempts to put the blame on Abram for this mess. I can’t help but think of Adam’s response to God when He asked him if he had eaten of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:12). If only Sarai and Abram would have just gone to God for his guidance before it came to this then this strife could have been avoided. But like I said previously I believe that
this was Gods will all along.

6 So Abram said to Sarai, “Indeed your maid is in your
hand; do to her as you please.” And when Sarai dealt
harshly with her, she fled from her presence. 1 Pet. 3:7

In my opinion, because Abram loved Sarai deeply, in
order for her to feel assured that she was Abram’s one and
only true love, that Abram reminds Sarai That Hagar
belongs to her, and for her to do as she pleases with Hagar
even though she is carrying Abrams child. I can just
imagine that leading up to this Hagar was probably
planting a seed in Sarai’s mind that Abram loved her more
than Sarai because she was carrying Abram’s offspring. So
Abram had to do something of significance in order to
prove his love for her. Apparently in Sarai’s Jealous rage
(as we say today), she was very cruel to Hagar, so much so
that Hagar was put in her place to where there was no
doubt who Abram loved the most and that she could not go
to him for help. Hagar felt that her only recourse was to
leave from their presence.

7 Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water
in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur.
21:17, 18; 22:11, 15; Judges 6:11

Abram’s encampment at this time was just north of
Jerusalem, and Shur is in where we call today the Sinai
peninsula. With this in mind we can conclude that Hagar
was headed back to Egypt. This is also the first time that an
Angel is revealed to us by God.

8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.”

The question posed to Hagar is rhetorical in nature as far as
asking her where she came from; I say this because in the
beginning of the question the Angel identifies her as Sarai’s
maid. Now Hagar, having been living with Abram and Sarai
for years now is familiar with the God of Abram and
therefore probably realizes that the person who has
appeared to her is some kind messenger of God because of
the fact that He knows who she is: The Angel calls her by
name, and mentions Sarai in the same sentence. I also
believe that another reason Hagar accepts this person as a
messenger of God is because when you are in the presence
of the Lord, or the Holy Spirit, or God Himself there is a
sense of peace and tranquility deep in your soul that can
only be felt when your in the presence of the Lord, and you
just know that you know. It’s hard to explain what i’m
trying to say here so please excuse me for my lack of a good
vocabulary.

9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your
mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.”

The Lord commands Hagar to return to Sarai, and then
in a kind of prophetic nature He tells her to submit to
Sarai. I say prophetic in the sense that when we go back to
the time of Noah in chapter nine this is where the curse of
the sons of Ham begins (Compare Gen 9:22-25). The sons of of Ham include both Mizraim (which settled in Egypt), and Canaan(which is the land where Ishmael and his descendants settle), Remember, Hagar is an Egyptian.

10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, “I will multiply
your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be
counted for multitude.”

This blessing being given to Hagar here is also a partial fulfillment of the blessing given to Abram. Like I had said previously, when God told Abram that his descendants would number as much as the stars above and the sands of the earth that God never mentioned Sarai in these blessings, in my opinion this is just another reason why God excluded Sarai in this blessing. Again divine providence, God already foreknew that Hagar would be a part of this blessing to Abram. Again I would like to remind the reader here that, in my opinion, Hagar is familiar with the God of Abram and it’s probably a very good guess that Hagar knows of the promise given to Abram. So with the Angel of the Lord telling Hagar the fate of her own
descendants she has probably come to the realization that she and the child she is carrying is part of the blessings of Abram.

11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her:

“Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name
Ishmael
Because the Lord has heard
your affliction.

Ishmael.(h3485) ישׁמעאל yishmâ‛ê’l
BDB Definition: Ishmael = “God will hear”
1) son of Abraham and Sarah’s handmaid Hagar and the progenitor of the Arabian peoples

This is the first time in the bible where God names a child
before it is born. To me this is more proof to my theory
that the circumstances that lead to the birth of Ishmael is
through divine providence. God had this planned out all
along. This also further proof that Life begins at conception
in Gods eyes and therefore is precious to him. I make this
statement aimed at all those who would kill a child in the
womb and claim that it is not yet a breathing living being.
God knew every living being before they were even born (Isa 44:24, Jer 1:4-5).

12 He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against
every man, 21:20, 21
And every man’s hand against
him. 25:17, 18
And he shall dwell in the
presence of all his brethren.”

Verse eleven and twelve are prophetic also and part of the
curse of Canaan from the time of Noah. If one was to read
the history of the people who have lived in the territories
(mainly the Arab people), of the descendants of Ishmael
you can see the similarities of this prophecy being fulfilled.

13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her,
You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here
seen Him who sees me?”
14 Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi, observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 24:62; 25:11

Beer Lahai Roi,”(H883): בּאר לחי ראי: be’êr lȧchay rô’ı̂y
BDB Definition: Beer-lahai-roi = “well of the Living One seeing me”
1) a well west of Kadesh, south of Israel

One of the conclusions we must come to in verses seven
through fourteen is that the Angel of the Lord who
appeared to Hagar is none other than Jesus Christ. This
understanding of who the Angel of the Lord is, is summed
up in a couple of bible commentaries. The first commentary
comes from the Mathews Henry’s concise commentary:

The declaration of the Angel, “I will,” shows this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God.

The second commentary I would like to quote from is the
Adam Clarke’s commentary:

I will multiply thy seed exceedingly – Who says this? The person who is called the Angel of the Lord; and he certainly speaks with all the authority which is proper to God.

The last comment I want to make here is in regards to verse
fourteen. The reader is told to observe the location in which
the Angel of the Lord appeared to God. This just happens to be the place where Abram’s son Isaac settles (Compare Gen 24:62, 25:11).

15 So Hagar bore Abram a son; and Abram named his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 21:2; Gal. 4:22-31

We see here that Hagar obeyed the voice of the Angel of the Lord and went back to Sarai and Abram, and submitted herself to Sarai. We are told here that it is Abram who named his son and not Hagar or Sarai. This would lead the reader to assume that Hagar must have told Sarai and
Abram about her encounter with the Angel at the well called Beer Lahai Roi, and what was instructed of her and what to name the child. If Abram was visited by this Angel of the Lord then would not God have revealed this to the reader?

16 Abram was eighty six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

This would mean that Ishmael was born in the year 2104 AC. (after creation) according to my charts and my studies on the subject of the genealogy of Jesus.

Genesis-chapter 15

15

1. After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Ps. 28:7

God visits Abram in a vision, I believe that this vision comes in the form of a dream. I say this because in verse five we are told that the Lord brings Abram outside to number the stars. So, Abram was in his abode and apparently it was night because the stars are out for Abram to see. One thing I would like to mention here also is this; we see throughout the scriptures that when God appears to the patriarchs and prophets of the bible, his first words are, “Do not be afraid” these are words of comfort that are meant to take away any fear that the person is feeling from being in the presence of the Lord. God tells Abram I am your protector (shield), and through Me you will be rewarded for your faithfulness; not just any reward but an “exceedingly great reward”, not only is God telling Abram something even more profound; He is saying to Abram that even though he will have all this land, and that his descendants shall be to great to number, as great as that sounds, there is no greater reward than to have a relationship with God the Father. This should be the goal of all mankind. We should find that which was lost at the Garden (Matt 11:28).

2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 11:30; 16:1
3 Then Abram said, “Look, you have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”

Abram answers back; What will my reward be? He is saying Lord, you promised me that I would inherit all this land not only for me but for my descendants (Compare Gen 13:14-16). “Yet I have no children of my own blood who would be my heir. According to our customs: Eliezer of Damascus is my sole heir.” Eliezer is probably a servant in Abrams house and is also probably the first male born in his house.

4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 2 Sam. 7:12

God Answers back to Abram telling him that his heir shall be from his own flesh and blood.

5 Then he brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

Then the Lord took Abram out from inside his house and said to, “Look at all the stars in the heavens, count them if you can (which no one can count the stars because there are so many), this is Gods point, His descendants will be so great that no man can count them all.

6 And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; James 2:23

Abram believed what God had promised, and because of his belief in what God had promised him The Lord Judged Abram and found him to be righteous (without guilt).

7 Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”
12:1, 2;Ps. 105:42, 44

God is reminding Abram who He is. He is basically saying” “I am the same God who spoke to you when you lived in the land of Ur, I promised you back then that I would give you this land, and I am the one true God who does not, and cannot lie.” (Gen 12:1-2)

8 he said, “Lord how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

Abram still wants to know how he will be sure if he inherits
the land. Because of what I read in verse six of this chapter,
I must conclude that it is not Abram’s weakness of faith that
is being revealed here, I believe it is a matter of him not
being alive long enough to see his heirs number in such a
great multitude as that of the stars in heaven. Another
side of this could be the telling of the relationship that
Abram has with God. Abram has such a close relationship
with the father that he feels comfortable enough to ask God
for some kind of sign to assure him of this promise. We see
this kind of relationship with Abram and God when God
tells Abram that he is going to destroy Sodom and
Gomorrah, And Abram keeps bargaining with God in
regards to the salvation of the people (Compare Gen 18:23-32). Abram and God are developing a true Father son relationship to such a degree that Abram can express his true feelings (from the heart) to God and God knows that there is nothing unrighteous about how he feels inside. God knows what’s in a mans heart and He sees nothing but pureness In Abrams heart. Abram felt compassion for his fellow man,not just for the righteous but also for the wicked. Abram must have been a remarkable man (Compare Heb 4:12).

9 So He said to him, “Bring me a three-year old heifer, a
three-year old female goat, a three-year old ram, a
turtledove, and a young pigeon.”

This is the third recording of the scriptures where sacrifices
are being offered to God in this manner. The first recording
of this type of sacrifice (on a much smaller scale) is the
offerings in Gen 4:3-5 where Abel and Cain bring up an
offering to the Lord. The reason I say “on a much smaller
scale” is because this is not considered to be a covenant
between the three. As opposed to Noah and Abram which
God says are covenants between them. I will go a little more
into detail about these covenants when I get to Gen 15:18.
However I would like to copy an excerpt from the
Matthews Henry concise commentary in regards to why
these certain animals were chosen here. It reads as follows:

Those who could not offer a bullock, were to bring a sheep or a goat; and those who were not able to do that, were accepted of God, if they brought a turtle-dove, or a pigeon. Those creatures were chosen for sacrifice which were mild, and gentle, and harmless; to show the innocence and meekness that were in Christ, and that should be in Christians.

I would also like to add one more commentary; this one
being from Adam Clarke’s commentary on the bible. He
explains verse ten this way:

It is worthy of remark, that every animal allowed or commanded to be sacrificed under the Mosaic law is to be found in this list. And is it not a proof that God was now giving to Abram an epitome of that law and its sacrifices which he intended more fully to reveal to Moses; the essence of which consisted in its sacrifices, which typified the Lamb of God that
takes away the sin of the world?

There is also something else here that I would like to point
out to whoever reads this, and that is the age of the animals
to be sacrificed here (three years of age): which is the total
number of years that our Lord Jesus Christ ministered here
on earth. To me personally this is more proof that the bible
is God breathed. We see these kinds of simile’s over and
over throughout the bible.

10 Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two,
down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other;
but he did not cut the birds in two. Lev. 1:17

Again, I would like to refer to Adam Clarke’s commentary
on the symbolism/ceremonies of the way in which these
animals were sacrificed (Seeing as I too am learning about
this aspect of God and his ways), God is preparing Abram
for a covenant which the two are about to make.

Rabbi Solomon Jarchi says, “It was a custom with those who entered into covenant with each other to take a heifer and cut it in two, and then the contracting parties passed between
the pieces.”

Adam Clarke’s commentary in Jeremiah 34:18 goes into
more detail on this subject. It reads as follows:

When they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof – This was the ancient and most solemn way of making a covenant.
1. A calf as sacrifice was offered to God to secure his approbation and support.
2. The victim was then exactly divided from the nose to the rump; the spinal marrow being divided longitudinally, in the most careful manner, that the half of it might remain on each side.
3. These divided parts were laid opposite to each other, a passage being left between them.
4. The contracting parties entered this passage at each end, met in the middle, and there took the covenant oath; adjudging themselves to death should they break this covenant.
5. Then they both feasted on the victim. In reference to this last circumstance, God says he will give their bodies for meat to the fowls of heaven and to the beasts. This is a farther conformity between the crime and the punishment.

Let us again go to Adam Clarke’s commentary for his explanation on the difference in which the way the birds were to be offered up:

On the several animals which God ordered Abram to take, Rabbi Jarchi remarks: “The idolatrous nations are compared in the Scriptures to bulls, rams, and goats; for it is written, Psa 22:12: Many bulls have compassed me about. Dan 8:20: The ram which thou hast seen is the king of Persia. The rough goat is the king of Greece. Dan 8:21. But the Israelites are compared to doves, etc.; Son 2:14: “O my dove, that art in the cleft of the rock. The division of the above carcasses denotes the division and extermination of the idolatrous nations; but the birds not being divided, shows that the Israelites are to abide for ever.” See Jarchi on the place.

I know that to many who first read this may think to themselves “how primitive” but one must remember a couple things. These sacrifices were in fact the customs of the day and therefore was a part of life that didn’t seem out of the ordinary. Also we must understand God’s purpose and what his grand design for mankind is. Back then the people were as they say not yet ready for the solid meat of Gods word. Man had to learn (and still is learning) our purpose and how God is working with us to get to where He wants us to be. Man has to learn that there is a blood sacrifice required for sin. If God were to have Sacrificed his only begotten at Abrams time for mankind, people would have been dumbfounded, not understanding why, God himself (through His Word-Jesus Christ), with all His Holiness, being a Spirit being, become a man and die for our sins. These animal sacrifices all point to Jesus Christ as our one true, pure sacrifice, born without sin to die for our sins. Jesus is the only perfect sacrifice that God will accept for mans iniquities. This is what God is teaching us, who live in today’s time, to understand and accept. And now this brings us to the next verse, that we may understand.

11 And when the vultures came down on the carcasses,
Abram drove them away.

I will again go to Adam Clarke’s commentary for this verse
and copy some passages he uses to support his comments:

For whatever purpose a covenant was made, it was ever ratified by a sacrifice offered to God; and the passing between the divided parts of the victim appears to have signified that each agreed, if they broke their engagements, to submit to the punishment of being cut asunder; which we find from Mat 24:51; Luk 12:46, was an ancient mode of punishment.

Adam Clark goes on to say the following:

And when the fowls (birds of prey), came down upon the carcasses to devour them, Abram, who stood by his sacrifice waiting for the manifestation of God, who had ordered him to prepare for the ratification of the covenant, drove them away, that they might neither pollute nor devour what had been thus consecrated to God.

After studying this verse and meditating on it a bit I would like to add my thoughts on this; in my opinion, the vultures represent Satan and his demons who try to corrupt and defile that which is sacred to God. Even though this offering to God is not a representation of a sin offering, or peace offering, or any offerings made to God, for remission for us; all the animals and bird that are listed here are still a representation of our Lord Jesus Christ. Just as Jesus was brought into this world to be the perfect offering to God, Satan immediately tried to devour Him at his birth (by Herod’s decree to kill all the young males two years and younger), to Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness after he received the Holy Spirit from God. And also, just as Abram drove away these vultures so to did Jesus when he commanded Satan while in the wilderness (Matt 4:10). We to, like Abram should always be alert like the watchman on the tower, and not let Satan devour and defile our christian beliefs and practices.

12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him. 28:11

Strongs definition: Horror: (H367) From the same as H366; fright; concretely an idol (as a bugbear): – dread. fear, horror, idol, terrible, terror.

Darkness:(H2825)From H2821; darkness; figuratively misery: – darkness.

Abram stayed all day guarding his sacrifices to God and now it was almost sunset and he grew weary and went into a deep sleep. The horror that fell upon Abram was probably the fact that in verse thirteen God reveals to him that his descendants would suffer tremendously, which in turn would account for why he felt horror, and fear, and misery. Imagine if God almighty himself came to you one night and you were told that your children, and your children children, and so on and so forth were going to suffer greatly. As a father that would be one of the worst things you could ever imagine.

13 Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.

There seems to be differing opinions as to when the countdown started the four hundred years of affliction upon Abrams seed. In Adam Clarke’s commentary on this verse, though he does give his own opinion, he also states what the beliefs are of some scholars up to his time. These opinions according to Mr. Clarke are as follows:

In former times most people counted by generations, to each of which was assigned a term of years amounting to 20, 25, 30, 33, 100, 108, or 110; for the generation was of various lengths among various people, at different times. It is probable that the fourth generation mentioned in verse 16 means the same as the four hundred years in the preceding verse. Some think it refers to the time when Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the son of Amram, the son of Kohath, came out of Egypt, and divided the land of Canaan to Israel, Jos_14:1. Others think the fourth generation of the Amorites is intended, because it is immediately added.

I wrote a Rabbi who belongs to the Chabad.org website which if you remember I mentioned in my devotional quality portion in the beginning of my book as a source of inspiration for my studies. The following is the response I got from Rabbi Chein explains the four hundred years of affliction in Egypt in terms of Generations of descendants of Abram in this way:

The descendants of Abraham were exiled to Egypt when Jacob descended along with his children and grandchildren. The four generations are counted from those who were exiled. For example, Jacob’s son Judah, his grandson Peretz, and his great-grandson Hezron are three generations, and Caleb, son of Hezron, the fourth generation, returned to the land of Israel. Kehot, son of Levi, was among the exiles, as was his son Amram and his grandchildren Moses and Aaron, and their children, the fourth generation, entered Israel.

Then there is the opinion of the church I belong to which say’s that it appears to begin at the death of Abraham, but they do not give an explanation (which is something I will go over with my pastor during our next meeting. I will though for now copy what the United Church of Gods comments are on this subject:

God promised multitudinous descendants to Abram, but He also promised that they would be enslaved for a period of time before being delivered with great wealth. The period of 400 years mentioned in verse 13 is not the period of their slavery. Biblical chronology indicates that Israel was enslaved for just over 200 years. The 400 years appear to date from Abraham’s death to Israel’s possession of the Promised Land (though there are other possibilities).

The church of God does say that there are other possibilities but they do not elaborate on the possibilities.

14 “And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
15 “Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 25:8
16 “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” Ex 12:40,41 Num. 32:33,39

Everything else that is commented on verses 14-16 seem to be universal and in agreement with the beliefs that are commented on from the United Church of God commentary:

But why was there to be a delay in Israel’s possessing the land and servitude to a foreign nation? One reason is expressly stated. God says that the iniquity of the Amorites, who dwelt in Canaan, was not yet full—meaning that God was extending mercy to them, allowing them time to repent. God deals justly with all people, and He often delays punishment until the situation shows no hope of betterment. But another reason for the delay and servitude was probably to condition Israel. If Israel had developed in the land, unmolested, they may have acquired a general disposition of rejecting any dealings with God whatsoever—”Who needs God if everything is fine,” human reasoning says. But by allowing Israel to be enslaved, they would be humbled and willing to listen. Though they ultimately displeased God by rebelling against Him, they undoubtedly went further in serving Him than they otherwise would have. As God told Paul, in weakness we can be made strong (2 Corinthians 12:9; compare Hebrews 11:34). Additionally, if Israel would be taken out of slavery and made great, the credit for the greatness would more obviously be God’s.

I would like to add my own opinion here as far as why God did what he did here. I also must say here that I get this opinion from something that my pastor just commented on in his last sermon that was just given on June 27, 2015 and it has to do with the reason for prophecy. In his sermon he was telling us the purpose of prophecy and that there were two reasons for them:

“The two purposes of prophecy is one, to show God’s
greatness, and number two is to give us hope.” Lets take a
look in the book of Isaiah to see what God says (Isa 46:8-10).

So with this in mind I believe one of the purposes for what
God is doing to Israel is a lessen for all mankind, (with
Israel being used as the example), that when God tells the
future even before it has come to pass, helps prove his
existence and his power. Also in this same vision God is
giving to Abram, he is giving hope to him by telling him that
his people will return to this land promised to Abram, with
great possessions.

17 And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces. Jer. 34:18,19

18 On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying:
“To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates- Josh. 1:4
19 “the Kenites, the kennezzites, the Kadmonites,
20 “The Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, Deut. 7:1
21 The Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the
Jebusites.”

As mentioned in my previous comments in Genesis 9:1-17 in
regards to offerings and covenants we now see the beginning of
Abrahamic covenant. unlike most covenants between two people where they both would pass through carcasses, in essence saying that if either one of them would break the covenant, the splitting of the carcasses would represent what would happen to the person who broke the
covenant. The requirements of this covenant only pertains
to God. Abram does not have to do anything on his part in
order for God to fulfill his promise to him, unlike the
Mosaic covenant whereas God puts certain conditions on
the Hebrews in order for them to obtain the promises that
God gave them. In the mosaic Covenant God told the
people of Israel that he would give them all these blessings,
if they would in turn keep their end of the bargain (so to
speak). Abram did not have to do anything on his part in
order to obtain this blessing (covenant) from God. In my
opinion, the reason Abram didn’t have to do anything on
his part is because of what is said verse’s 4-6 (Gen 15:4-6). Abram, because of his faith has already found favor in Gods
eyes. Not only that but God didn’t even have to show
wonders and miracles in order for Abram to have faith in
Him. Whereas the Mosaic covenant is made to a whole
nation and not just one man. The Hebrews have already
shown that they have little faith and have rebelled and
complained against God and Moses after seeing all the
wonders that God did for them. The Hebrew people
have to prove themselves to God, (which unfortunately they
have failed miserably in that department). Not to say that
the Israelite people have the market cornered in that
aspect. Mankind (me included) have failed in so many ways
when it comes to being a Believer, and we struggle daily to
be the kind of children that God wants us to be. As Paul
said in Romans 7:24 “O wretched man that I am, who shall
deliver me from from the body of this death.”
One other point I would like to make here, to all the
people who call the Israelites “occupiers” in the land of
Israel today either haven’t read their bible, or choose to
ignore this part of the bible out of their hatred for the
people of Israel. And in all reality the land of Israel belongs
to God who decided long ago that he would give this land
to the children of Abraham and confirmed through Isaac,
the son of Abram and Jacob, son of Isaac.

Genesis-chapter 14

14

1.And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of
Shinar. Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of
Elam,and Tidal king of nations, 10:10; 11:2

Amraphel, (H569): אמרפל: ‘amrâphel
BDB Definition: Amraphel = “sayer of darkness: fall of the sayer”
1) the king of Shinar (Babylon) (perhaps Hammurabi approximately 2100 BC)

Shinar, (H8152): שׁנער: shin‛âr BDB Definition: Shinar = “country of two rivers”
1) the ancient name for the territory later known as Babylonia or Chalde
Arioch, (H746): אריוך: ‘ăryôk
BDB Definition: Arioch = “lion-like”
1) the ancient king of Ellasar, ally of Chedorlaomer
2) the chief of the executioners for Nebuchadnezzar

Ellasar(H495):אלּסר: ‘ellâsâr BDB Definition: Ellasar = “God is chastener”
1) a town in Babylonia, approximately 28 miles (50 kilometers) E of Ur

Chedorlaomer, (H3540): כּדרלעמר: kedorlâ‛ômer
BDB Definition: Chedorlaomer = “handful of sheaves”
1) the king of Elam defeated by Abraham

Elam,(H5867):עולם / עילם: ‛êylâm / ‛ôlâm
BDB DEfinition: Elam = “eternity”:a province east of Babylon and northeast of the lower Tigris (noun proper locative)

Tidal (H8413): תּדעל: tid‛âl
BDB Definition:Tidal = “great son”
1) chief of various nomadic tribes and an ally of Chedorlaomer

Nations, (H1471):גּי / גּו : gôy
BDB Definition:
1) nation, people (noun masculine)
1a) nation, people
1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people
1a2) of descendants of Abraham
1a3) of Israel
1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (figuratively)
1c) Goyim? = “nations” (noun proper masculine)

2. that they made war with Bera king of Sodom,Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shinab king of Admah,Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). Deut. 29:23

Bera, (H1298): בּרע: bera‛
BDB Definition: Bera = “son of evil”
1) a king of Sodom
Sodom,(H5467): Sodom = “burning”
1) a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment

Birsha, (H1306):בּרשׁע : birsha‛
BDB Definition: Birsha = “with iniquity”
1) a king of Gomorrah
Gomorrah,(H6017):BDB Definition:
Gomorrah = “submersion”
1) the twin-city in evil with Sodom, both destroyed in judgment by God with fire from heaven
1a) of iniquity (figuratively)

Shinab, (H8134):שׁנאב: shin’âb
BDB Definition: Shinab = “splendour of the father”
1) the king of Admah in the time of Abraham

Admah,(H126): אדמה: ‘admâh BDB Definition: Admah = “red earth”
1) city in the Siddim valley

Shemeber, (H8038): שׁמאבר: shem’êber
BDB Definition: Shemeber = “lofty flight”
1) king of Zeboim and an ally of the king of Sodom

Zeboiim,(H6636):צביּם / צביּים / צבאים: tsebô’ı̂ym / tsebı̂yı̂ym / tsebı̂yim
BDB Definition: Zeboim or Zeboiim = “gazelles”
1) one of the 5 cities in the plain which included Sodom and Gomorrah
(that is, Zoar)

Zoar, (H6820): צער: tsô‛ar BDB Definition: Zoar = “insignificance”
1) a city at the southeast end of the Dead Sea grouped with Sodom and Gomorrah as being one of the 5 cities slated for destruction by God; spared at Lot’s plea as his place of refuge

3. All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (that is,
the salt sea).

Valley of Siddim (H6010 and H7708): BDB Definition:
1) valley, vale, lowland, open country
BDB Definition: Siddim = “field” or “plain”
1) valley where the Dead Sea is located

4. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the
thirteenth year they rebelled.

After careful research of maps that show the locations of
all these kings (I have these maps saved in my map files)
I have discovered that this is the first time in bible history
where we see the kings of the north invade and do battle
with the kings of the south (as we see mentioned in Daniel
11). However these kings in Genesis fourteen have no
correlation with those mentioned in the book of Daniel. I
just found it worthy to mention. It appears to me that these four kings of the north (Chedorlaomer being the leader of them all, and these are
also the descendants of Shem, son of Noah) were rulers
over the five kings of the south (which are the descendants
of Ham who is also a son of Noah), for a period of twelve
years which was prophesied in Gen 9:20-27 that the sons of Ham would serve the sons of Shem. In the thirteenth year the kings of the south rebelled against the kings of the kings of the north. This rebellion
went on for a period of one year until King Chedorlaomer
put together an army big enough to invade the south and
Squash the rebellion. As we will see in verses 5-12.

5. In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that
were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth
Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh
Kirathaim,

Rephaim, (H7497): רפה / רפא: râphâ’ / râphâh
BDB Definition:
1) giants, Rephaim
1a) old tribe of giants

Ashteroth Karnaim, (H6255): עשׁתּרת קרנים: ‛ashterôth qarnayim
BDB Definition: Ashtoreth-karnaim = “Ashtoreth of the two horns or peaks”
1) a city in Bashan east of the Jordan given to Manasseh

Zuzim, (H2104): זוּזים”: zûzı̂ym
BDB Definition: Zuzim = “roving creatures”
1) an ancient people of uncertain origin, perhaps, inhabitants of ancient Ammon east of the Jordan

Ham, (H1990): הם: hâm
BDB Definition: Ham = “hot” or “sun burnt”
1) the place where Chedorlaomer and his allies smote the Zuzim, probably in the territory of the Ammonites, east of the Jordan; site uncertain

Emim, (H368): אימים: êymı̂ym
BDB Definition: Emims = “terrors”
1) ancient inhabitants of Moab

Shaveh Kirathaim, (H7741): שׁוה קריתים: shâvêh qiryâthayim BDB Definition: Shaveh Kiriathaim = “plain of the double or two city”
1) the place attacked by Chedorlaomer

6. And the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness. Deut. 2:10-22

Horites, (H2752): חרי: chôrı̂y
BDB Definition: Horite = “cave dweller”
1) the inhabitants of Mount Seir
2) the inhabitants of Edom (in later times)

Seir, (H8165): שׂעיר: śê‛ı̂yr
BDB Definition: Seir = “hairy” or “shaggy”
1) patriarch of the Horites, the inhabitants of Edom before the descendants of Esau, the Edomites (noun proper masculine)
2) the land of Edom, south of the Dead Sea (noun proper territorial)
3) a mountain range in Edom extending from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf (noun proper mountain)
3a) apparently also called ‘Mount Seir’ and extending most of the distance of the mountain range itself
4) a mountain in northern Judah lying westward from Kirjath-jearim (noun proper mountain)
El Paran: (H364): איל פּארן: ‘êyl pâ’rân
BDB Definition: El-paran = “palm of Paran”
1) town and harbour at tip of Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea

7. Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is
Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites,
and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar.

Kadesh, (H6946): קדשׁ: qâdêsh
BDB Definition: Kadesh = “holy”
1) a city in the extreme south of Judah
1a) same as ‘Kedesh’ and ‘Kadesh-barnea’

Amalekites, (H6003): עמלקי: ‛ămâlêqı̂y
BDB Definition: Amalekite = see Amalek “people of lapping”
1) descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau

I had to do some meditation on this verse because it
mentions the Amalekites. I first thought “How could
they attack the Amalekites if these people were the
descendants of Amalek, who was the great great grandson
of Abraham?” Obviously the Amalekites as a people did
not exist at this time. So read the verse a few times and it
became clear; The verse doesn’t say that they attacked the
Amalekites, but instead it says they attacked the country
of the Amalekites. I then remembered who was writing
this book of Genesis (Moses) and who was telling Moses
the story (God) So I then deduced that the reason God
mentioned the Amalekites to Moses in the revealing of
this story was so as to help Moses understand the location
of En-Mishpat, which would explain why we see
in parentheses (that is Kadesh) if we go to Deuteronomy
chapter two we can see why it is important that Moses
know this area (Compare Deut 2:2-5). This helps Moses in knowing what lands he cannot possess, And why he can’t possess them.

Amorites, (H567):אמרי: ‘ĕmôrı̂y
BDB Definition: Amorite = “a sayer”
1) one of the peoples of east Canaan and beyond the Jordan, dispossessed by the Israelite incursion from Egypt

Hazezon Tamar, (H2688): חצצן תּמר / חצצון תּמר: chatstsôn tâmâr / chatsătsôn tâmâr BDB Definition: Hazezon-tamar = “dividing the date-palm”
1) an Amorite city
2) a town situated in the desert Judah; probably Engedi
3) maybe the ‘Tamar’ of Solomon’s day

8. And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king
of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is,
Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the valley
of Siddim
9. Against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of
nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of
Ellasar-four kings against five.

So, during this rebellion, before the great battle in the
valley of Siddim, the kings of the north had to march
through hostile territories of the northern parts of what was
then known as the land of Canaan. However, the kings of
the north stayed on the eastern side of the Jordan river as
they marched south towards Sodom and Gomorrah. It
wasn’t until they were way south of the dead sea, at the gulf
of Aqaba, fighting the Horites in the area known as Mt. Sier
beyond the Jordan river. Then they moved west to head
back up north and attacked all the country of the
Amalekites in and around Kadesh- Barnea up to the north
and west of the Jordan river. The Amorites (who are
descendants of Canaan) who dwelt in the land of Hazezon
Tamar (also known as Engedi), located southwest of the
dead sea were also attacked by king Chedorlaomer. Once
all the (what I call minor kingdoms of Sodom and
Gomorrah) were defeated King Chedorlaomer and his allies
could attack Sodom and Gomorrah and the other three
major kingdoms.

10. Now the valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the
kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the
remainder fled to the mountains. 11:3; 19:24

The asphalt pits here are described differently in other
bible translations. They are also described as slime-pits, tar
pits or even bitumen pits. They all basically mean the same
thing. my take on this is that both sides had to fight in this
rough terrain, but for whatever reason, whether the kings
of the north had a better strategic location in which the
battle started or they were just a stronger force, we don’t
know. What we do know is that the kings of Sodom and
Gomorrah were overwhelmed, and in their haste, during
their retreat, many of the southern forces fell into these
pits and were destroyed while others were killed in the
battle itself. Those that survived fled to the mountains
including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.

11. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,
and all their provisions, and went their way. v. 16
12. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in
Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

As the saying goes “to the victor goes the spoils of war”
this rings true in this war. After the kings of the north
(also known as the kings of Mesopotamia) defeated these
kings of the south, they took not only all there material
wealth but also the people (as slaves no doubt and the
women to defile). Lot, because of the choice he made
when he departed from Abram is now paying the
consequences of that decision. Not only did Lot leave
from the protection of Abram’s bosom but he also lost the
protection of God himself. However, as we will see in the
next few verses and those in chapter eighteen, Lot has still
found favor in Gods eyes and is rescued from his own vices
through Abram’s intervention.

13. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the
Hebrew, for he dwelt by the Terebinth trees of Mamre the
Amorite, brother of Eschol and brother of Aner; and they
were allies with Abram.

This is the first time that the word Hebrew appears in the
Bible. I take this verse as to also indicate that Abram was
already known as a Hebrew by the people of Canaan.
If we go to my file, or the Strong s definition we find that
The word Hebrew is a derivative of Eber, son of Salah, who
himself was the great grandson of Shem. Abram at the time
still lived by the terebinth trees (which is where he built an
altar to the Lord). Abram had made peace with the people
of this land which included three brothers (Mamre, Eschol,
and Aner).

14. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken
captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained
servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit
as far as Dan.

As far as Abram was concerned, Lot was his brother (not
just a nephew). Approximately four hundred years removed
from the flood and we see that War was already in mans
heart. Abram himself: though a peaceful man, had to have
men from his tribe trained in the (I hate to use the term art
of warfare) it seems so oxymoron, that is to say, so opposite
of what war is in reality. There is no art to war: people die
sometimes in a most grotesque and painful way. I don’t
know who coined this term, but it must have been someone
who had no regard for human life, but I digress, in Order for Abram and his tribe to survive they had to defend themselves when necessary.
So Abram, along with his allies and his trained servants pursued the kings of the north, as far north as the land of Dan. Abram was not going to allow Lot to be enslaved and persecuted, if he had anything to say about it. Abram caught up with them in the place called Dan. According to my maps and a Google search this is approximately 164-175 mile journey. A total of a little over two days to travel this far.

15. He divided his forces against them by night, and he
attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is
north of Damascus.

Abram didn’t just attack right away. He developed a
strategy, and attacked them in the cover of darkness. This
must have been a great strategy because we are told that he
pursued them north of Damascus. The kings of the north
were so caught by surprise that they never had a chance to
regroup and counter-attack, (of course it doesn’t hurt to have
God on your side).

16. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought
back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women
and the people.

After this battle Abram brought back all the Goods, his
brother Lot, and all the people that were taken by the kings
of the north. It’s a good thing to note here that Abram did
not plunder the possessions or people of the kings of the
north. He only took what the kings of the north had stolen
from the kings of the south. This shows a character that is
being developed in Abram. I believe that Abram is not
going to rely on his own abilities to gain in riches and land.
He is learning to trust in God for his needs. I also feel that
Abram is the kind of man who is very content with what he
has, and is not influenced by the ways of the world. This in
turn is what the Lord delights in.

17. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the
valley of Shaveh (that is, the king’s valley). After his return
from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were
with him. Heb 7:1

I have read few commentaries and did research online in
regards to this verse. Depending on which bible you read
you are told that the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were
killed while fleeing from the kings of the north in the battle
at the valley of Siddim. I am not going to comment on this
subject, for I believe that this is irrelevant to this story. The
only thing I will comment on here is that the King of Sodom
only and not the king of Gomorrah came to meet Abram
after his defeat of king Chedorlaomer.

18. Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread
and wine; he was the priest of God Most High.
19. And he blessed him and said:

“Blessed be Abram of God
Most High. Heb: 7:1-7
Possessor of heaven and
earth; v.22

(Compare Heb 7:1-7). Instead of copying and pasting all of Hebrew chapter seven I would suggest to the reader to go and read all of this chapter of Hebrews to get a better understanding of tithing, Melchizedek, and the priesthood. There is a lot of meat on this subject, which i am still not weaned from the milk, and ready to move on to the more solid food, when it comes to the spiritual nature of this subject. So for the integrity of my work here i am not going to try and wing it, so to speak. that would be a disservice to God, and His word.

20. And blessed be God Most
High,
Who has delivered your
enemies into your hand”

And he gave him a tithe of all. Heb. 7:2

There is a lot that can be commented here in these verses,
one is identifying who Melchizedek is? Also the symbolism
of the bread and wine, and then lastly the fact that Abram
gave a tithe (tenth) to Melchizedek. Who is Melchizedek?
Let us remember one great rule of thumb when trying to
understand the bible “let the bible interpret the bible’ line
upon line, precept upon precept. When we go to the
referenced scriptures listed here (Heb. 7:1-7) we can pretty
much find all we need to know about the identity of this
man. First we are told that he is the king of Salem.

Salem(H8004): שׁלם: shâlêm
BDB Definition: Salem = “peace”
1) the place of which Melchizedek was king
1a) most Jewish commentators affirm that it is the same as Jerusalem

So he is the King of what we know today as Jerusalem. In the same verse (Heb. 7:1) He is also Called the priest of the most high (God the Father). Verse 2 of Hebrews seven goes on to give us more clues to His identity. Verse 2 says that Melchizedek was interpreted by the Jews to be the “king of righteousness” And, by its definition also the king of peace: see the Strong’s definition of Salem listed above. As we go on to Verse three of Hebrews chapter seven we are told that he is without father nor mother, having not being a descendant from anyone. He is also described as basically having no beginning, nor ending of life, and being like the Son of God and always being a priest to God. And Finally we see that Abram, recognizing his deity gave him a tenth of all the spoils he took from the kings of the north. When we put this all together we can only come to one conclusion: Melchizedek is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ Compare John 1:1-5, 14). Now with this in mind we can go on to understand more fully the symbolism of the bread and wine(which Melchizedek brought to Abram) and the tithe that Abram offered up to Melchizedek. In Genesis 14:18 it is told to us that Melchizedek brought bread and wine when he came to meet Abram. This is obviously a foreshadowing of the new covenant which was revealed on the night of Passover, prior to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus. Now we know that Abram was under his own covenant with God, so this bread and wine was not given to Abram in the same manner as was given to the Apostles of the New Testament. However we are told that Abram saw the promise afar off. So did Melchizedek give Abram a glimpse of the New Covenant? The scriptures do not say, but it leaves me to ponder this question.

Heb 11:13 These all died by way of faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. And they were persuaded of them and embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

To the reader who may not be familiar with the New Covenant can go to Matt 26:26-29. Now we know that Abram was under his own covenant with God, so this bread and wine was not given to Abram in the same manner as was given to the Apostles of the New Testament. However we are told that Abram saw the promise afar off (Heb 11:13). When we go to the book of numbers in the old testament we can start to see where God establishes the priesthood through the tribe of Levi, son of Jacob/Israel (Compare Num 18:21-26). I know I quoted a lot of scriptures here, but in the process of researching these scriptures (in my E-Sword) I learned
a lot myself about tithing, and the priesthood of the levites. I will have more to say about the priesthood and tithing when I come to the scriptures I quoted in the book of numbers.

21. Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the
persons, and take the goods for yourself.”

Unlike Melchizedek, The king of Sodom came to Abram in
an almost demanding tone: “Give me” as if Abram is his
servant and must do as the king demands. The king didn’t
bring any kind of offering to Abram to show his
appreciation for what Abram has done, (which I believe
would have been customary during this time). The king of
Sodom does not even recognize the God of Abram to whom
Abram’s victory would not have been possible. I believe that
one of the reasons that the king ask for only his people and
not the goods Abram brought back is, number one to keep
his kingdom established: for without people to rule over
there is no kingdom. Number two, what good is a kingdom
of riches if you have no one to flaunt it over so as to have
rulership over them. And number three, with him having
the persons, he could exploit them to help build his
kingdom back up and also to say to the people: “Look! It
was I who delivered you from your captivity and sent out
Abram to free you. Now this is my own personal belief, and
there is nothing scriptural about my take on the kings
actions. I just try to put myself in the kings shoes, knowing
scripturally that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were a
wicked and evil society which was a reflection of the men
that were rulers over them.

22. But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised
my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of
heaven and earth, v.19
23. “that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap,
and that I will not take anything that is yours, Lest you should
say, “I have made Abram rich”- 2 Kin. 5:16
24. “except only what the young men have eaten, and the
portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and
Mamre; let them take their portion.”

Abram is making it very clear to the king of Sodom that it
was by the power of God the creator, and ruler, of both the
heavens above, and the earth below who Abram holds his
allegiance (if you will), to. Abram will not let the king share
or steal the glory from God for his victory. Abram is saying
to him, “you will not boast in my riches, for my blessings
come from above and none other. God does not share his
throne with anyone (Exo 20:1-3, Isa 42:8). The last thing Abram tells the king of Sodom is that the only thing his people and those that helped Abram will take is the food which sustained them on their journey. Abram finishes by saying that the leaders: Aner, Eschol, and Mamre can take their portion if they so desire, that is up to them.
We see in these verses the maturity in Abram when it comes to his relationship with God. Abram has learned to trust in God in the trials of life that come to him. Unlike the time of the famine when he hastily went into Egypt instead of trusting in Gods promise that the land he lived in would be his and his descendants forever. Even though we are not told of this aspect of Abram’s thinking, I believe that Abram has developed a faith in God; that He will protect him when he goes out to fight against the kings of the north. I say this because what we are told is that Abrams men only number three hundred and eighteen men of his own house (see vs. 14 in this chapter) plus his friends Aner, Eschol and Mamre. Undoubtedly the kings of the north had a great army in order to accomplish all that they had done. I believe Abram knew he was outnumbered greatly but I also
believe that Abram’s faith in God gave him the strength and courage he needed to carry out this task. Our faith in God should be this strong whenever we are faced with the trials that we all go through in life.

Genesis-chapter 13

13

1.Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. 11:31; 12:10
2. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold, 12:16
3. And he went on his journey from the south as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4. to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 4:26, 12:7, 8; 21:33; Ps. 116:17

So when Abram left out of Egypt he took all his possessions with him. Not only did he have livestock, and silver, and gold, but he also had servants, both male and female. This is where Hagar was given to Sarai as a maidservant. The Bible doesn’t say that Hagar was given to Sarai from the
Pharaoh, but there is strong evidence in Genesis chapter 16 that supports this. Chapter sixteen is where she is first introduced in the bible as Sarai’s Egyptian maidservant. And she will bare a son of Abrams who is to be named Ishmael. Abram went back to where he had been living before he left for Egypt because of the famine. There he began to call out to the Lord, in prayer and supplications. He was probably humbled by his misgivings in Egypt, and his lack of faith in the Lord. Abram can only go back to the one place where he felt close to God, and at peace with
himself because of this closeness. Abram remembers that this is the land that the Lord had promised him, so he cries out to the Lord: “forgive me for my lack of faith, I now know this is where you want me to be, and if you will still have me I will obey you with all my heart and soul”
obviously i’m assuming that this is what Abram was crying out to God. I’m just putting myself in Abrams shoes and thinking what I might have cried out to the Lord if it were me. I actually have had prayers similar to this in my times of trouble.

5. Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds
and tents.
6. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 36:7
7. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 10:15-19; 12:5, 6
8. So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.
9. “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”
10. And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 19:17-29
11. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.
12. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 14:12; 19:1,24
13. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. 6:11, 12; 18:20, 21; 19:24

Abram and Lot were so abundantly rich when they came
out of Egypt, that the land they now lived in was not able
to sustain all they had in livestock and people. After
Abram’s experiences in Egypt, he was humbled, and
learned to rely on the Lord and not in himself when it came
to times of trouble. Lot, who had been with Abram since
they first left the land of Ur, was aware of the promises
made to Abram by the Lord God. This being the case Abram
could have easily told Lot to leave the land promised to him
and dwell in a place far away from which they dwelt, and
Lot, who also worshipped the same God as Abram and
probably feared, and revered Him, would not have argued
with Abram on this matter. However, Abram has matured
since he first started following God, and has now learned to
have faith in the Lord and His promise He made to Abram.
With this faith Abram lets Lot chose where he would dwell
and Abram would go the other way. He tells Lot, “if you go
to the left, then I will go to the right, or if you go to the
right, then I will go to the left.”
There is also another character we see in Abram when it
comes to these verses. Abram is a peaceful man and not one
of covetousness who wishes to cause strife between him
and men. If more people, throughout the ages, would have
this character in themselves we would not have had all the
wars throughout history (Compare Jas 3:14-18, Jas 4:1-3). We see the difference in personalities between Lot and Abram. Lot sees all the richness of the plain of Jordan, described in verse ten as in the days of the Garden of Eden, Lot, out of his lust of covetousness, chooses the best lands for his people and all that he possesses. There is a lesson to
be learned here As well. There are two sayings that come to
mind, first;” be careful what you wish for,” the other is;”
The grass isn’t always as green as it appears” When we read
verse thirteen we are told that the men who live in the land
Lot chose are exceedingly wicked and sinful against the
Lord. As we will learn later on in Genesis, this decision
Lot makes will cost him dearly. Instead of calling on the
Lord for guidance, Lot relies on his own judgment just as
Abram did when he journeyed to Egypt, and he will have to
live with the consequences of his own lack of faith.

14. And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift up your eyes now and look from the place where you are-northward, southward, eastward, and westward;
15. “for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 12:1; 34:4; acts 7:5
16. “And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 15:5; 22:17

(Compare Gen 15:5). Let me reference a few more scriptures from the New
Testament to backup what I feel is of significance concerning the kingdom of God (Compare Rom 4:11-13, 16-18, Gal 3:14, 3:26-29). I know I am beating a dead horse in the mouth here by quoting the same scriptures over and over, but we must understand the significance of Abraham’s life and how he lived it and it’s relevance to us in today’s world. Okay, now let me get to my point I am trying to make here. No man can number every particle of dust that is on the earth just as no man can count the stars. Think about it, just in our galaxy alone there are over 100 billion stars, Consider this, in the Hubble deep field image taken in 1995 there were about 300 Galaxies in this image. Scientist say that this is just a tiny fraction of galaxies that exist still that man has yet to discover. Now according to Henry M. Morris who has written a book called the Biblical Basis for Modern Science, and uses the Ussher chronology for mankind as a basis for his theory, he has come to the conclusion that there has been a total of between 20-30 billion people who have ever lived since the time of Adam and Eve. So in order for this promise to be fulfilled to Abram that his descendants will be as much as the stars or as the dust of the earth then mankind will still be pro creating during the kingdom of God and on. This gives me, and people like me who have never had children of their own for whatever reasons, hope to someday still have children. God promised that he would give us all things, and all our desires, and he cannot lie, and since we who have the faith of Abram, and are also his seed and joint heirs according to the promise, then I too will receive
this blessing.

17. “Arise, walk in the land through it’s length and its width, for I give it to you.”
18. Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an Altar there to the Lord. 12:7

Abram was sad to see Lot depart from him, for they had
been together for many years now, and Lot was as a son to
Abram, therefore the Lord told Abram “lift up your eyes” as
if to say “do not be saddened Abram for you and your seed
will be blessed. “Look all around at that which you see, I the
Lord God give you all the land in every direction forever
and ever. Not only will you possess this land forever, but
your seed will bear much fruit, So much so that no man can
number the descendants of your loins.” Abram is then told
by God to get up! And go out and survey the land which I
have given you. So Abram went out from between Bethel
and Ai and journeyed through all the land which was
promised him, and he finally settled in the southern portion
of the land, in Hebron, and there he built a third altar to the
Lord so as to worship him.
I’d like to take a step back and ponder what it might have
been like for Abram while he was traversing the land. What
was going through his mind? I can only do this by
wondering if it were me. Everyday must have been as
exciting as the last, contemplating, what was over the next
hill, or beyond the next valley? every step I take I would
be thinking, “will my sons settle here or there, or my
grandchildren; will they walk the same paths as me? and
think to themselves, “my father, grandfather, great
grandfather Abram once walked this path before me?” he
may have even mark his paths along the way etched in
stone, “Abram was here” hoping someday one of his
descendants would see his mark. And yet I also can’t help
but think of the correlation between Abrams journey way
back then and my own journey that I too am on, looking
forward to the promise not seen but hope for, and the faith
I have that someday I too will see the promised land.
The thoughts go through my mind “what will God’s
kingdom be like?” (Compare Rev 21:7). As my pastor often says; “I have yet to find anything that is not included in all things.” and I also know
that my mind can’t even fathom what the kingdom of God
will be like, whatever a person can imagine how God’s
kingdom will be, can be magnified a hundred-fold.

Genesis-chapter 12

1.Now the Lord had said to Abram: Acts 7:2, 3
“Get out of your country
from your family
and from your fathers house,
To a land that I will show you.

In order to understand where Abram was dwelling, during
the time in which God Called him, to go to this land that
the Lord promised, we must look at the reference scriptures
in this verse (Acts 7:2-4). For the purpose of understanding this first verse in chapter 12 I will not elaborate on the events leading up to these specified verses of Acts, and will tackle them when I start my study on the book of Acts. As we can plainly see Abram was still living in the land of Ur when God first appeared to him. It is here that the Lord first appeared to man. If we go back to the time of Adam, and then Enoch, or Noah, The bible only states that the Lord Spoke to these men. Abram was the first man to, in my opinion see the Lord, and it wouldn’t be the last time for Abram to see, with his own eyes, the appearance of the Lord. Now was it God that Appeared to Abram? Or was it Jesus Christ? I’m inclined to believe that it was Jesus Christ who Abram saw. I say this because the verse says that it was the Lord, and not God, who appeared to him. As has already been established in earlier scriptures we know that Jesus was present at the time of creation. Another reason why I think Abraham did not actually see God is because in the Exodus Story, Moses asked to see God face to face. God told Moses that no man can see His face lest he die (Exo 33:17-23). How the Lord appeared to Abram? The scriptures do not say; was in the form of the spirit? Or A burning bush as he appeared to Moses? Or was it as when he walked the earth during the New testament times? One can only imagine, but however he appeared to Abram, I bet it was an awesome event.

2. I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
and make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
◊ 3. I will bless those who bless
you,
And I will curse him who
curses you; Num. 24:9
And in you all the families of
the earth shall be blessed.”

I am reminded of the books of Mathew and Mark (Matt 19:29, 10:37- 39, Mark 10:28-30). This is basically what the Lord is telling Abram; “Leave all that you cherish and follow me to the promised land, and I will bless you greatly” The great nation that the Lord is talking about, is the nation we know today as Israel. Not only is God going to make a great nation, but his blessings to Abram go even further. Abram himself will be known throughout the earth, not only in his own time but forever and ever. As we will see in the story of Abram, He never questions God but follows him faithfully, whenever the Lord calls him. To this day Abram (who is now known as Abraham) is respected by the three great religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (just as God promised). But wait there’s even more: in Verse three the Lord tells Abram, “that, because if you follow me, I will also bless those who bless you, and will curse those that hate you,” and all the people of the earth will be blessed for your names sake. One more thing i would like to discuss in this verse is the Star that is at the beginning of the verse. if you have read my format you will know that this represents a prophecy of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. All nations have been blessed by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, To those who
believe in him. Also all who have the faith of Abraham are blessed and are of the seed of Abraham and share in the promise God made to him (Gal 3:6-29).

4. So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him.
And Abram was seventy five years old when he departed
from Haran.
5. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother’s
son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and
the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they
departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the
land of Canaan. 10:15-19
In the year 2093 AC. Abram left the land of Haran as God
had said to him, when he was seventy five years old. There
was no hesitation on Abrams part (Heb 11:8). So Abram took all that he owned, his wife and his Brother’s son, Lot. All the people who were either servants to Abram, or who also worshiped the God Jehovah, also
went with Abram. He left the rest of his family and went
onto the promised land. The land of Canaan is the place we
call modern day Israel. The people who live in this land are
the descendants of Ham (son of Noah). It is the Canaanites who
were cursed by Noah for the sin of Ham (Gen 9:24, 25). Abram is a descendant of Shem, to whom the Canaanites
will be servants to. This is the first act of faith that Abram
shows toward our Lord, Elohim. Abram believed what God
said to him, and by faith he is saved (Heb 11:8, 9).

6. Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem,
As far as the terebinth tree of Moreh. And the Canaanites
were then in the land.
◊ 7. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your
descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an
altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 13:4, 18; 22:9; 26:25

So Abram journeyed from Haran south to the land of Shechem, which is basically in the middle of the land of Canaan, west of the river Jordan, and south of Nazareth, and north of Jerusalem. We also know that the Canaanites were located here as well. The star that is before the number seven(as is mentioned in my outlining of my format) is a representation of prophecy. The prophecy that the Lord is giving Abram, is the fact that all the land Abram sees will be giving to his descendants, Jesus Christ being the seed of Abraham, and will return again to the promised land to rule and reign there for evermore. The Altar that Abram builds here is to commemorate the promise, the moment, and to honor God with a sacrifice of some sort.

8. And he moved from there to the mountain east of
Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and
Ai on the east; There he built an altar to the Lord and called
on the name of the Lord. 4:26
9. So Abram journeyed, going on still toward the South.
24:62

After this occasion Abram journeyed on to the south some
more. When he came to a place that is situated in between
Bethel and Ai (which is east of Bethel), and still north of
Jerusalem. He decided to make camp and build an altar to
the Lord. In verse eight it says that Abram “called on the
name of the Lord” To me personally I take this as Abram
was praying to the Lord, and that during this prayer he also
offered some kind of sacrifice to God. In my opinion,
Abram was probably asking God for some kind of guidance
as to whether or not this is the place where he could settle.
I say this because in verse nine we are told that Abram
journeyed still further south. Scripture does not give us a
time frame as to how long it took Abram to get to this point
but if we go to Gen 16:3 we can come to a close proximity of this journey.
We told here that Abram was eighty six years old, ten years after he lived in the land of Canaan, and this is counting from the time he left Egypt. So Abram had to be still seventy five (almost seventy six), when he entered into Egypt. This would put Abrams journey here at about six months after leaving the land of Haran, maybe even sooner.
It should also be mentioned here that while Abram built
this altar and called on the Lord that all of the people that
were with him also were being made aware of God, and how
to worship and honor the Lord. Abram is teaching his
people about the Lord. He is probably handing down the
stories that were told to him by his father, and even Noah.
One last note here; in the MKJV, and the KJV version of the
Bible there is a side-note explaining the meaning of Abram
journeying to the south. Here is the strong’s definition of the word south:

South (h5045): נֶגֶב: negeb: neh’-gheb
From an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from its drought); specifically the negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine): – south (country, side, -ward).

This part of Canaan is better known today as the Negev, or also known as the Negev desert, south of Jerusalem.

10. Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to dwell there, for the famine was severe in the land. 41:56-42:3
11. And it came to pass, when he was close to entering Egypt, that he said to Sarai his wife, “Indeed I know that you are a woman of beautiful countenance. v. 14; 26:7
12. “Therefore it will happen, when the Egyptians see you, that they will say, “This is his wife”; and they will kill me, but they will let you live.
13. “Please say you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that I may live because of you.” 20:2, 11-13; 26:7

The verses 10- 13 is one of two times where we see that Abram, for one reason or another, either forgot God’s promise to him, or more likely he had a loss of faith in that promise. First, because of the drought and famine in the land, Abram, instead of calling on God for his divine
intercession, Abram decides to go to another country that wasn’t promised to him and his descendants. Sometimes in life God will test our faith in order to see how strong our convictions are. I believe this is what God was doing to Abram with the drought and famine. Now in verses 12-13 in my opinion is not a test of faith on God’s part, but rather just a lack of faith on Abrams part. God promised Abram That through his descendants he would give all the land of Canaan to him and his descendants, He also promised him that He,(God)would curse those who would curse Abram. God goes on to tell Abram that a great nation will come from him. At the time that Abram goes to enter Egypt, Abram has yet to have any children (which is a must in order for God to fulfill his promise), Abram is worried that the Egyptians will kill him. If Abram had a strong faith in the Lord, he would not have been worried about his life. I have been trying to figure out why Abram would think that the Egyptians would spare his life if Sarai said the she was his sister and not his wife. So What was Abram
thinking? We need to go to the scriptures that are referenced in Genesis chapter 20 for this answer (Compare Gen 20:10-13). There is still one more lesson to be learned here that God is trying to convey to man: That if you lose your faith in your creator God, that this begins a slippery slope into the sin world, where you begin to not be able to think straight, and when you can’t think straight then you begin to live a deceptive life, where you not only deceive others, but you deceive yourself into the wrong kind of thinking. Abram I think, is at this point in his life, he is starting to rely on his deceptive ways rather than on God for guidance.

14. So it was, when Abram came into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the woman, that she was very beautiful. vv. 11, 12
15. The princes of Pharaoh also saw her and commended her to Pharaoh. And the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s house.

We must consider here, that at this time Sarai was well
up in her years, if we remember earlier, Abram was seventy
five years old himself when he left his father’s house to go
to the promised land. Sarai must have been in her 60’s 0r
70’s at this time. Even at this age Sarai was a very beautiful
lady. This was at a time when there was no beauty gels, or
facelifts, or anything of the sort like nowadays. God truly
blessed Sarai with great beauty.

16. He treated Abram well for her sake. He had sheep,
oxen, male donkeys, male and female servants, female
donkeys, and camels. 13:2

Sarai was so beautiful that the Pharaoh paid Abram greatly so as to have her as his wife. If Abrams fear about what the Pharaoh would have done to him, if he knew they were husband and wife, then, because of Pharaoh’s desire for Sarai, he could easily have taken Sarai without given Abram any kind of recompense. This tells me that the Pharaoh, and the Egyptians had some sort of moral laws of decency, but not much, they did still take Sarai from Abram without asking for his or Sarai’s consent, or even going thru the customs of Abrams people of some kind of courtship first. Abram must have been crushed when he saw that Sarai was taken from him. He knew that the Pharaoh would defile Sarai, and use her for his own lustful means. Put yourself in Abrams shoes; Abram never saw this coming, the guilt must have been tremendous for what he had just done to his wife. It’s almost hard to imagine the thoughts, and visions in his mind of what Sarai was going through. Then we must also consider the great love Sarai had for Abram, to sacrifice herself for her husbands sake. Knowing That she was going to be raped and defiled, The Bible never tells us that Sarai ever thought of telling the Pharaoh that she was indeed Abrams wife, so as to save herself. That’s the kind of love that I believe every man or woman is looking for in life. What a woman! (John 15:12, 13). Abram was truly blessed to have such a woman in Sarai. Abram himself will one day, show this same love towards God when he is asked to sacrifice someone near and dear to his heart. As we will see later on, though its not just
Abram’s love for the Lord that is tested, but also his faith,
and fear in the Lord. I don’t mean the kind of fear that most
people would associate with this word, but it is a sign of
respect towards God.

17. But the Lord plagued Pharaoh and his house with
great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.
18. And Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you
have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your
wife? 20:9; 10; 26:10
19. “why did you say, “she is my sister”? I might have
Taken her as my wife. Now therefore, here is your wife; take her and go your way.”
We read in these three verses that the Lord plagued Egypt
because of Sarai, and that the Pharaoh of Egypt knew this.
What these scriptures don’t tell us is how the Pharaoh knew
that Sarai was Abrams wife and that this was the reason for
the plagues on his people. We have no other references in
the Bible that explains this to us. This being said, I have but
only one explanation. The Lord himself revealed this to the Pharaoh. The reason I find this conclusion more likely comes from the understanding of other biblical teachings we find in chapter 20 of Genesis and also in Daniel and Ezra (Gen 20:3- 7, Dan 2:26- 28, Ezra 1:1, 2). There are times when the Lord God will reveal himself to the kings of the earth in order to fulfill his purpose. I believe that this is one of these times. Line upon line, precept upon precept, this is how we learn Gods word.

20. So Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him; and they sent him away, with his wife and all that he had. 20:15

Again lets go to the referenced scripture, and I will put it into context and also include the following (Gen 20:14- 16). I believe that the Pharaoh commanded his men to let Abram keep all his possessions that he brought into the land, as well as all that the Pharaoh gave to Abram when he took Sarai from him.

Genesis-chapter 11

11

1.Now the whole earth had one language and one speech.
2. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that
they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.
10:10; Dan. 1:2

This verse is referring back to Genesis 10:10, as is noted
above. This verse also says that they “journeyed from the east.”
It is well know that Babel was in the southwestern part of
modern day Iraq. The Ark of Noah, as we know from scripture
rested on the mountains of Ararat. So this tells me that the
Descendants of Noah, up to the time of Nimrod, probably moved
southward, down along the river Euphrates. When we look on
the map, we can see that the Euphrates river is east of Babel.
So in my opinion this is where the people of Nimrod migrated
from.

3. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks
and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they
had asphalt for mortar.
4. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a
tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for
ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the
whole earth.” Heb. 11:10, 16

I Believe I can safely assume that before Nimrod and his
people decided to build this great city, that the people of the
earth were nomadic. The only time we hear of cities being built
before this time was in the days of Cain and his descendants.
Again I must remind the reader that this is my opinion, and
my understanding of what is going on here. What the people
doing here is number one, wanting to form a one world order
in which everyone will live under the same laws, religion, language and
system (which today we would call a government). The tower they want to build “whose top is in the heavens, may have also been for the purpose of worship. if so this would be a way of the people saying “look
what we have accomplished,” not giving any thanks to
the Creator God, who has blessed them with the knowledge to
be able to carry out such a task. In verse four it plainly says
“let us make a name for ourselves” as in “we did this, no one helped us” Verse four goes on to read; “lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the
whole earth.” Again defying the will of God. The Lord commanded Noah and His sons to be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth Gen. 9:1. God intended for the whole earth to be populated, not just a little part of it. If God wanted mankind to live in one tight knit group of people He would not had made the earth so big.

5. But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower
which the sons of men had built.
6. And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all
have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now
nothing they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7. “Come, let us go down and there confuse their language,
that they may not understand one another’s speech.”

God as we know is the all seeing, all knowing, One, who looks down upon men and sees the evil and the good in them, there is nothing man can hide from Him. He does not have to come down from Heaven to witness the actions of men. Prov. 15:3; Job. 34:21; Psalms 33:14; Jer. 32:19; 16:17; Therefore He doesn’t need to come down to cast judgement on the people.

8. So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the
face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.
9. Therefore it’s name is called Babel, because there the
Lord confused the language of all the earth; and from there the
Lord scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth. 10:10

edit comments below

I believe God had to remind the people of who he is, and his power, and that they need to fear Him, respect Him, and give
praise and glory to Him, and not some tower built by man.
We see in verse seven that God says “let us go down” when
God says “us” he is referring to Jesus Christ, who was with
God from the beginning (Compare John 1:1-3, 14). The believer must never lose sight that Jesus was, is, and will always be, one with God, who sits on the right side of Gods throne in heaven (Matt 22:44, 26:64, Mark 16:19). So God spoke the command to go down and confuse their
language, and scatter them across the face of the earth, and it was Jesus who carried out His word.

10. This is the Genealogy of Shem: Shem was one hundred
years old, and Begot Arphaxad two years after the flood.
10:22-25, 32: Luke. 3:34-36

As has been determined in previous studies, I continue
now with the genealogy of mankind, according to the word
of God as he has revealed to us in scriptures. Arphaxad was
born in 1668 AC (after creation).

11. After he begot Arphaxad, Shem lived five hundred
years, and begot sons and daughters.

Shem lived 602 years and died in the year 2158 AC, and 502 years AF (After the flood).

12. Arphaxad lived thirty five years, and begot Salah.

Salah was born in the year 1703 AC.

13. After he begot Salah, Arphaxad lived four hundred and
three years, and begot sons and daughters.

Arphaxad lived 438 years and died in 2106 AC, and 440 years AF

14. Salah lived thirty years, and begot Eber.

Eber was born in the year 1733 AC.

15. After he begot Eber, Salah lived four hundred and
three years, and begot sons and daughters.

Salah lived 433 years and died in 2136 AC.

16. Eber lived thirty four years, and begot Peleg.

Peleg was born in 1767 AC

17. After he begot Peleg, Eber lived four hundred and
thirty years, and begot sons and daughters.

Eber lived 464 years and died in 2197 AC.

18. Peleg lived thirty years, and begot Reu.

Reu was born in 1797 AC

19. After he begot Reu, Peleg lived two hundred and nine
years, and begot sons and daughters.

Peleg lived 239 years and died in 2006 AC.

20. Reu lived thirty two years, and begot Serug.

Serug was born in 1829 AC.

21. After he begot Serug, Reu lived two hundred and seven
years, and begot sons and daughters.

Reu lived 239 years and died in 2036 AC.

22. Serug lived thirty years, and begot Nahor.

Nahor was born in 1859 AC.

23. After he begot Nahor, Serug lived two hundred years,
and begot sons and daughters.

Serug lived 230 years and died in 2059 AC.

24. Nahor lived twenty nine years, and begot Terah.

Terah was born in 1888 AC.

25. After he begot Terah, Nahor lived one hundred and
nineteen years, and begot sons and daughters.

Nahor lived 148 years and died in 2007 AC.

26. Now Terah lived seventy years, and begot Abram,
Nahor, and Haran.

In order to understand the chronology in which Abram,
was born, we use the same logic we used when we learned
about Noah and the birth of Shem, Japheth and Ham. We
must look at other verses in the Bible to guide us to the year
in which Abram was born as we did with the birth of Shem (Isa 28:9-13). With this in mind, now let us go to the verses that give us clues as to the year in which Abram was Born (Gen 11:32, 12:4, Acts 7:4). In my file on the Genealogy of mankind I have come to the conclusion that Terah was born in the year 1888 AC. And died in the year 2093 AC. With this in mind, we know that Abram was seventy five when he departed from Haran,
after his father had died. This puts Abrams birth at the year 2018 AC.

27. This is the genealogy of Terah: Terah begot Abram,
Nahor, and Haran. Haran begot Lot. Josh. 24:2
28. And Haran died before his father Terah in his native
land, in Ur of the Chaldeans.

The Bible does not tell us how old Haran was when he died
We just know that he died before his father Terah. We do
know where he died. The land of Ur of The Chaldeans is
located in the northeastern part of modern day Iraq,
somewhere along the Euphrates river, maybe even along
the Syrian, Turkish border.

29. Then Abram and Nahor took wives: The name of
Abrams wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife
Milcah, The daughter of Haran the father of Milcah and
the father of Iscah.

After Haran died, Abram and his brother Nahor
got married. We know from these verses that Nahor
married his brother Haran’s daughter Milcah, who also had
a brother named Iscah, who is the son of Haran. Basically
Nahor married his niece. Back then, this would have been
okay for Nahor to marry his niece, according to the customs
of the day. Without going into great detail of the customs
back then, and the holiness of Gods chosen people, let me
just say, from my understanding of the scriptures, and Gods
overall plan to keep the seed of Adam all the way to Jesus
holy, this marriage plays a part in the overall scheme of
things. Scripture does not tell us what tribe Sarai comes
from, we can rest assure that whatever tribe, that the
holiness of the seed of Jesus was not defiled.

30. But Sarai was barren; she had no child. 16:1,2
31. And Terah took his son Abram and his grandson Lot,
The son of Haran, and his daughter in law Sarai, his son
Abram’s wife, and they went out with them from Ur of the
Chaldeans to go to the land of Canaan; and they came to
Haran and dwelt there. 12:1; 15:7; Neh. 9:7; Acts. 7:4

For whatever reason, Nahor and his wife Milcah, and
Haran’s son Iscah did not go with Terah out of the land of
Ur.
32. So the days of Terah were two hundred and five years,
and Terah died in Haran. Acts. 7:4

Terah lived 205 years and died in 2093 AC.

Genesis-chapter 10

1. Now this is the Genealogy of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And sons were born to them after the flood. 9:12, 7, 19; 11:10

I would like to insert a short commentary from the UCG website. This commentary helps us to understand the significance of Noah’s descendants:

The Genealogy of Noah (Genesis chapter 10)

Genesis chapter 10 contains what is commonly called the Table of Nations. This genealogical record lists 70 nations descended from the sons of Noah. The Israelites, and the descendants of Abraham generally, are not mentioned, although their common ancestor, Heber, is included in the list.
The genealogical record here is in the form of a clan list, which typically follows the father-son-grandson format—although exceptions to the rule and extended lists (such as we will later encounter with Israel’s clan lists) are not uncommon. The purpose of clan lists is to show affinities between related peoples. At the head of the list stands the common ancestor, in this case Noah. Under the common ancestor are listed the tribes, and under the tribes are listed the smaller clans. The further down the clan list one moves, the greater the cultural and political affiliations between the members of the smaller family units. Thus, Japheth fathered Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras. All of those peoples were related and shared certain general cultural and political affiliations. But Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah, who were fathered by Gomer, are further down the list and therefore shared greater cultural and political affiliations.
Are these ancient historical lists of any importance to us today? While many of the nations recorded in the genealogy disappear from the scriptural record, some of them will reappear in the prophetic books—with a surprising number mentioned in connection with end-time events. God appears to refer to the nations of the world by these family names, and it is interesting to note that the end-time configuration of nations provided by the prophetic books shows the nations allied by their clan affiliations. Surprisingly, these prophecies show that the passage of around 4,000 years of history has done little to alter the basic pattern of international relations.

2. The Sons of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiris. Ezek. 38:2

There is a lot to say about these sons Of Japheth, with the exception of Madai and Tiras, The rest of the sons all have to do with future prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord(also known as the end times) We can find these prophecies in Ezek. 27:13, 27:19, 32:26, 38:2-3; 39:1,6; Rev. 20:8, Isa. 66:19, instead of going through all these prophecies here I will wait until I come to the above mentioned scriptures and go into more detail then. For the purpose of this verse, and the following verses concerning the sons of Japheth, and Ham, I will list the meaning of the names. Also I have created a sub folder, in my main folder, titled Bible; titled “Prophecies of the end times,” in which their will be files on these sons, with the verses I’ve mentioned above, and also for the sons of Ham, and Shem, concerning end time prophecies.

Gomer: (H1586): גּמר gômer: BDB Definition: Gomer = “complete”: 1) the eldest son of Japheth and grandson of Noah; the progenitor of the early Cimmerians and other branches of the Celtic family (noun proper masculine)

Magog: (H4031): מגוג: mâgôg: BDB Definition: Magog = “land of Gog” 1) the 2nd son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of several tribes northward from Israel (noun proper masculine) 2)the mountainous region between Cappadocia and Media and habitation of the descendants of Magog, son of Japheth and grandson of Noah (noun proper locative)

Madai: (H4074): מדי: mâday: BDB Definition: Media or Medes or Madai = “middle land” 1) a people descended from the son of Japheth and who inhabited the territory of Media (noun proper masculine) 2) land inhabited by the descendants of Japheth; located northwest of Persia proper, south and southwest of the Caspian Sea, east of Armenia and Assyria, and west and northwest of the great salt desert of Iram (noun proper locative)

Javan: (H3120): יון: yâvân: BDB Definition: Javan = “Ionia” or “Greece” 1) a son of Japheth and grandson of Noah (noun proper masculine) 2) Greece, Ionia, Ionians (noun proper locative)
2a) location of descendants of Javan

Tubal: (H8422): תּבל / תּוּבל: tûbal: BDB Definition: Tubal = “thou shall be brought”
1) son of Japheth and grandson of Noah (noun proper masculine)
2) a region in east Asia Minor (noun proper territory)
2a) perhaps nearly equal to Cappadocia

Meshech: (H4902): משׁך: meshech: BDB Definition: Mesech or Meshech=“drawing out”
1) son of Japheth, grandson of Noah, and progenitor of peoples to the north of Israel
1a) descendants of Mesech often mentioned in connection with Tubal, Magog, and other northern nations including the Moschi, a people on the borders of Colchis and Armenia

Tiris: (H8494): תּירס: tı̂yrâs: BDB Definition: Tiras = “desire”
1) son of Japheth and grandson of Noah

3. The sons of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

Ashkenaz: (H813): אשׁכּנז: ‘ashkenaz: BDB Definition: Ashkenaz = “a man as sprinkled: fire as scattered” 1)a descendant of Japheth 2)a northern people, perhaps of Bithynia

Riphath: (H7384): ריפת: rı̂yphath: BDB Definition:: Riphath = “spoken”
1) the 2nd son of Gomer

Togarmah: (H8425): תּגרמה / תּוגרמה: tôgarmâh: BDB Definition: Togarmah = “thou wilt break her”
1) son of Gomer, grandson of Japheth, and great grandson of Noah (noun proper masculine)
2) territory settled by the descendants of Togarmah (noun proper territory)
2a) probably the area known as Armenia

4. The sons of Javan were Elisha, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim.

Elisha: (H473): אלישׁה: ‘ĕlı̂yshâh: BDB Definition: Elishah = “God of the coming (one)”
1) descendant of Noah, son of Javan; perhaps ancestor of the Aeolians

Tarshish: (H8659): תּרשׁישׁ: tarshı̂ysh: BDB Definition: Tarshish or Tharshish = “yellow jasper”
1) son of Javan (noun proper masculine)
2) a city of the Phoenicians in a distant part of the Mediterranean Sea to which the prophet Jonah was trying to flee (noun proper locative)
1a) site unknown but perhaps in Cyprus or Spain
3) a city somewhere near and accessible to the Red Sea to which ships constructed at Ezion-geber on the Elanitic Gulf on the Red Sea were to sail (noun proper locative)

Kittim: (H3794):כּתּיּי / כּתּי: kittı̂y / kittı̂yı̂y: BDB Definition: Chittim or Kittim = “bruisers”
1) a general term for all islanders of the Mediterranean Sea
2) the descendants of Javan, the son of Japheth and grandson of Noah

Dodanim: (H1721): רדנים / דּדנים: dôdânı̂ym / rôdânı̂ym
BDB Definition: Dodanim or Rodanim = “leaders”
Rodaniym (1Ch_1:7)
1) sons or descendants of Javan

5. From these the coastland peoples of the Gentiles were separated into their lands, everyone according to his language, according to their families, into their nations.

This verse here is talking about the Sons of Japheth, and his sons, and the sons of Gomer, and Javan. these families, lived among the coastlands around the Mediterranean sea. After the Tower of Babel, these families moved inland and formed their own nations, with their own languages. I say this because as it is written, “being separated into their lands, according to his language.”

6. The sons of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 9:25

Cush: (H3568):כּוּשׁ: kûsh: BDB Definition: Cush = “black”
1) a Benjamite mentioned only in the title of Ps 7 (noun proper masculine)
2) the son of Ham and grandson of Noah and the progenitor of the southernmost peoples located in Africa (noun proper masculine)
3) the peoples descended from Cush (noun proper masculine)
4) the land occupied by the descendants of Cush located around the southern parts of the Nile (Ethiopia) (noun proper locative)

Mizraim: (H4714):מצרים: mitsrayim: BDB Definition: Egyptians = “double straits”
1) a country at the northeastern section of Africa, adjacent to Palestine, and through which the Nile flows (noun proper locative)
2) the inhabitants or natives of Egypt (adjective)
Part of Speech: see above in Definition

Put: (H6316): פּוּט: pûṭ: BDB Definition: Phut or Put = “a bow”
1) a nation and people of northern Africa; probably Libyans

Canaan: (H3667): כּנע: ן: kena‛an: BDB Definition: Canaan = “lowland”
1) the 4th son of Ham and the progenitor of the Phoenicians and of the various nations who peopled the seacoast of Palestine (noun proper masculine)
2) the land west of the Jordan peopled by the descendants of Canaan and subsequently conquered by the Israelites under Joshua (noun proper locative)
3) merchant, trader (noun masculine)

Canaan is the one who is cursed by Noah because of what his father Ham had done to his father. As I said earlier, I believe it was Ham and not Canaan that saw Noah nakedness. There are arguments that go both ways as to who committed the sin. Nevertheless, we can see these curses fulfilled on Canaan throughout the Bible because of this sin against Noah.

7. The sons of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Raamah were Sheba and Dan.

The only Descendants of Cush that are mentioned in this particular verse, that has really any relevancy in the Bible are Sheba and Dan(also known as Dedan), Which are actually grandsons of Cush. These sons are mentioned(in regards to their descendants), in Ezek 25:13, 27:15, 20-23, 38:13, concerning the end times.

8. Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth.
9. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord.” Mic.5:6
10. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11:2 11. From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah,
12. and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city).
13. Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamin, Lehabim, Nephtuhim, 14. Pathrusim, and Casluhim (from whom came the Philistines and Caphtorim).
15. Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth; 23:3; 25:10

Sidon:(h6721): צידן / צידון: tsı̂ydôn: BDB Definition: Sidon = “hunting”
1) ancient Phoenician city, on Mediterranean coast north of Tyre.

Sidon(also known as Zidon) is mentioned in Ezekial 28: 20-24 in
regards to end times prophecy against his descendants.
When we look above at the BDB definition we Can see where
these descendants settled. Heth is mentioned again in Gen. 23:3-17 and 49:31,32 Heth’s descendants are focused on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

16. the Jebusite, the Amorite, and the Girgashite;
17. The Hivite, the Arkite, and the Sinite;
18. the Arvadite, the Zemarite, and the Hamathite. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were dispersed.
19. And the borders of the Canaanites was from Sidon as you go toward Gerar, as far as Gaza; Then as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zebolim, as far as Lasha.

Nimrod: (H4258): נמרד / נמרוד: nimrôd: BDB Definition: Nimrod = “rebellion” or “the valiant”
1) the son of Cush, grandson of Ham, and great grandson of Noah; a mighty hunter, he established an empire in the area of Babylon and Assyria

From verses 8-19 above we can see that God describes Nimrod as a “mighty hunter” I believe that because of his strength, Bravery, and provider of food, that this made him great among all the people of the Earth. So much so, that he was able to establish a great kingdom. We can see that his kingdom stretched out to all the peoples of the earth (at this time in history).

20. These were the sons of Ham, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands and In their nations.

From verse 6-20 above we see the description of the descendants of Ham, Mostly given us just a name only, with the exception of Nimrod (son of Cush), who is one of the sons of Ham. which tells us a little about his character (a mighty hunter), and the kingdom he built: most notably the city of Nineveh, and the land of Assyria. And the area of the land in which they dwelt, in the time when everyone on the face of the earth was of one nation, and spoke one language.

21. And children were born also to Shem, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder. 22. The sons of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

The children of Eber are widely believed to be where the name “Hebrews” originates from. A reminder again, it is thru the seed of Shem that our Lord Jesus Christ is to be born.

Elam:(H5867): עולם / עילם: ‛êylâm / ‛ôlâm: BDB Definition: Elam = “eternity”
1) a Korhite Levite in the time of David
2) a chief man of the tribe of Benjamin
3) ancestor of a family of exiles who returned with Zerubbabel
4) a chief of the people who signed the covenant with Nehemiah
5) another ancestor of another family of exiles who returned with Zerubbabel
6) a priest who assisted at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
7) another head of a family of returning exiles n pr loc 8) a province east of Babylon and northeast of the lower Tigris (noun proper locative)

Asshur: (H804): אשּׁר / אשּׁוּר: ‘ashshûr: BDB Definition: Asshur or Assyria = “a step”
1) the second son of Shem, eponymous ancestor of the Assyrians (noun proper masculine)
2) the people of Assyria (noun proper masculine)
3) the nation, Assyria (noun proper locative)
4) the land, Assyria or Asshur (noun proper locative)

Arphaxad: (H775):ארפּכשׁד: ‘arpakshad: BDB Definition: Arphaxad = “I shall fail as the breast: he cursed the breast-bottle”
1) third son of Shem

Lud: (H3865): לוּד: lûd: BDB Definition: Lud or Lydia = “strife”
1) the 4th listed son of Shem and supposed progenitor of the Lydians (noun proper masculine)
2) descendants of Lud the son of Shem who settled in northern Africa (noun patrial)

Aram: (H758): ארם: ‘ărâm: BDB Definition: Aram or Arameans = “exalted”
1) Aram or Syria the nation
2) the Syrian or Aramean people
3) fifth son of Shem

23. The sons of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.

Uz: (H5780):עוּץ: ‛ûts: BDB Definition: Uz = “wooded”
1) son of Aram and grandson of Shem (noun proper masculine) 2) son of Nahor by Milcah
3) an Edomite, son of Dishan and grandson of Seir n pr loc 4) the country of Job; probably east and southeast of Palestine somewhere in the Arabian desert (noun proper locative)

Mash: (H4851):משׁ: mash: BDB Definition: Mash = “drawn out”
1) one of the sons of Aram; also known as ‘Meshech’ in 1 Chronicles. 1:17

Hul: (H2343): חוּל: chûl
BDB Definition: Hul = “circle”
1) the second son of Aram and grandson of Shem

Gether: (H1666): גּתר: gether
BDB Definition: Gether = “fear”
1) the third in order of the sons of Aram

I Mention Uz here because this is the land in which
Job comes from; in the book of Job. The reason for Mash
being listed is because his name is changed in 1 chronicles
(as shown in the Strong’s definition) other than that I don’t
see any significance That these sons of Aram have in the
overall scheme of things when it comes to God’s master
Plan. That said, God Does find it necessary to mention
them, So I don’t want to take away from God’s word. God
has the final say here, and if it is important to him to
mention them then that’s all that matters. Whether I find
any significance with Hul and Gether is insignificant.

24. Arphaxad begot Salah, and Salah begot Eber.

According to the Masoretic text, the Vulgat, and Targum;
Septuagint, this verse reads as follows: Arphaxad begot Cainan, and Cainan begot Salah. (Compare Luke. 3:35, 36)

25. To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, For in his days the earth was divided; and his brothers name was Joktan.
Eber: (H5677):עבר: ‛êber: BDB Definition: Eber or Heber = “the region beyond”
1) son of Salah, great grandson of Shem, father of Peleg and Joktan

It is commonly believed by most scholars, that it is by
Eber’s name, that the word “Hebrew” is derived from.

Peleg: (H6389): פּלג: peleg: BDB Definition: Peleg = “division”
1) son of Eber and brother of Joktan

It is thru Peleg that the seed of Jesus is to come from. It is
also during this time of Peleg, that God destroyed Nimrod’s
Tower of Babel, and confused all mans languages, and
separated them throughout all the face of the earth. This could explain why God says his days were divided. his life began as of one nation and one language, until God confused their language and Peleg then became another nation and another language.

26. Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazermaveth, Jerah,

Amodad: (H486): אלמודד: ‘almôdâd
BDB Definition: Almodad = “not measured”
1) a descendant of Shem

Sheleph: (H8026): שׁלף: sheleph
BDB Definition: Sheleph = “a drawing forth”
1) the 2nd son of Joktan and a descendant of Shem

Hazermaveth: (H2700): חצרמות: chătsarmâveth
BDB Definition: Hazarmaveth = “village of death”
1) the 3rd in order of the sons of Joktan (noun proper masculine)1) the 3rd in order of the sons of Joktan (noun proper masculine)

Jerah: (H3392): ירח: yerach
BDB Definition: Jerah = “new moon”
1) a 4th son of Joktan and a progenitor of an Arabian tribe

27. Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

Hadoram: (H1913): הדרם / הדורם: hădôrâm
BDB Definition: Hadoram = “noble honour”
1) the 5th son of Joktan

Uzal: (H187): אוּזל: ‘ûzâl
BDB Definition: Uzal = “I shall be flooded”
1) sixth son Joktan

Diklah: (H1853): דּקלה: diqlâh
BDB Definition: Diklah = “palm grove”
1) a son of Joktan of Arabia (noun proper masculine)
2) an Arabian territory or people? (noun proper locative)

28. Obal, Abimael, Sheba,

Obal: (H5745): עובל: ‛ôbâl
BDB Definition: Obal = “stripped bare”
1) a son of Joktan and the founder of an Arab tribe

Abimael: (H39): אבימאל: ‘ăbı̂ymâ’êl
BDB Definition: Abimael = “my father is El (God)”
1) son of Joktan, descendant of Shem

Sheba: (H7614): שׁבא: shebâ’
BDB Definition: Sheba = “seven” or “an oath”
1) son of Joktan and a descendant of Seth (noun proper masculine)

29. Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of
Joktan.

Ophir: (H211): אופר / אפיר / אופיר: ‘ôphı̂yr / ‘ôphir
BDB Definition: Ophir = “reducing to ashes”
1) eleventh son of Joktan
2) a land or city in southern Arabia in Solomon’s trade route where gold evidently was traded for goods
3) characteristic of fine gold
4) fine gold

Havilah: (H2341): חוילה: chăvı̂ylâh
BDB Definition: Havilah = “circle”
1) a part of Eden through which flowed the river Pison (Araxes); was probably the Grecian Colchis, in the northeast corner of Asia Minor, near the Caspian Sea (noun proper locative)
2) a district in Arabia of the Ishmaelites named from the 2nd son of Cush; probably the district of Kualan, in the northwestern part of Yemen (noun proper locative)
3) a son of Cush (noun proper masculine)
4) a son of Joktan (noun proper masculine)

Jobab: (H3103): יובב: yôbâb
BDB Definition: Jobab = “a desert”
1) the last in order of the sons of Joktan, a descendant of Shem
2) one of the kings of Edom

Joktan: (H3355): יקטן: yoqṭân: BDB Definition: Joktan = “smallness”
1) son of Eber and descendant of Shem and patriarch of various Arabian tribes

30. And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go
toward Sephar, the mountain of the east.

Mesha:(H4852): משׁא: mêshâ’: BDB Definition: Mesha = “freedom”
1) a region marking one of the limits of the territory of the Joktanites when they first settled in Arabia

Sephar: (H5611):ספר: sephâr: BDB Definition: Sephar = “a numbering”
1) a place in southern Arabia

31 These were the sons of Shem, according to their families,
according to their languages, in their lands, according to
their nations.
32. These were the families of the sons of Noah, according
to their generations, in their nations; and from these
nations were divided on the earth after the flood. 9:19; 11:8

To summarize, Chapter ten is known today as the table of
nation’s. As can be seen by the Strong’s definition, most of
the time, not only is the meaning of the name giving, but it
also tells us where these descendants settled on the earth.
When it comes to end times prophecy, we can get a clearer
picture as to which countries God is talking about when he
mentions them by the names of these descendants listed in
this chapter. Most of The countries that we know, by their
modern day names, are not mentioned in end time prophecy.
However There are a few exceptions, like Egypt, Syria,
Damascus and Persia, in these cases we can come to this
chapter to find out what sons Of Noah, and their descendants,
that are being prophesied against. By studying the Strong’s
definition of these names closely, we can get a better
understanding of bible prophecy in regards to the latter days.

Genesis-chapter 9

9

1.So God blessed Noah and his son’s, and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. 1:28

2.“And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be on every beast of the earth, on every bird of the air, on all that moves on the earth, and on all the fish of the sea. They are given into your hand. Ps. 8:6

Apparently, before the flood, even though sin had entered in the world, the animals and birds were still docile towards men; either that or God made them docile again, so that they would enter the ark without fear of Noah and his family. It wasn’t until after the flood that the birds and animals from this time on would be afraid to come near man and lay down beside them, as it was from the beginning. One day though, in the kingdom of God the animals will no longer be afraid of us, and we in turn will no longer be afraid of them ( Isa. 11:6-8 ) what a glorious time it will be. So, as it was in the Beginning, God is starting over. God blesses Noah and his family to “be fruitful and multiply.” As in the man is still high above all other living things. It is through Noah’s faith in God, and his righteousness that Grace was granted to him that the world and all things in it would be delivered and start anew. “Be fruitful and multiply” says the Lord, “fill the earth;”

3. “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.

Now this is where I have come to my conclusion (This is just my opinion only), That God first makes it okay for man to eat animals. God says that he gives every moving thing that lives for food. just as the green herbs.(even as the green herbs), so in my opinion it could be read this way: even as I have given man all the green herbs of the field to eat in the beginning, I now give you all moving things that live for food. Now this does not mean that man can eat unclean animals also. It only stands to reason that Noah (who was found righteous in God’s eyes) would know what was acceptable for him to eat in the animal kingdom. For those who think that God is contradicting himself on the laws of clean and unclean meats giving to Moses, I would like to copy a portion, from the United Church of God’s pamphlet (What Does the Bible Teach About Clean and Unclean Meats) ,chapter two, How Should We Understand Scripture: ?

The apostle Paul wrote to a fellow minister, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When
Paul wrote these words, the Scriptures he referred to were those we now call the Old Testament. The writings that would eventually be known as the New Testament had not been accepted as Scripture; some of
them had not even been written. The Bible itself tells us we are to understand it as a unit; all Scripture is inspired as the divine guide for human conduct. By putting together all the scriptures on a given subject we allow the Bible to interpret itself and give us a complete and coherent view of God’s instruction on specific areas of life. Viewing every passage in a different context renders the Bible little more than a conflicting, contradictory collection of human writings rather than a divine revelation.
Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 shows us the foundational understanding through which we can begin to properly interpret the Bible: All of it is God’s inspired revelation. An opportunity to apply proper biblical interpretation can be found in Genesis 9:3 “Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs.” Understanding this passage as part of a complete picture, we recognize it as a general statement about God providing animals for food, just as He has provided plants for human consumption. Later scriptures show that mankind should not eat every animal, just as we
should not eat every plant. The comparison “even as the green herbs” clarifies this. Consider that some species of plants, like certain animals, are highly poisonous and can be fatal if ingested. Still, the animal
kingdom provides food for us—the essential point of Genesis 9:3.
Some who adopt an inconsistent, disconnected style of biblical interpretation believe this passage reverses the distinctions
between clean and unclean animals spoken of in Genesis chapter 7. This flawed method of biblical interpretation artificially inserts beginning and ending points for God’s laws, in effect making them—and their Giver—
inconsistent and arbitrary. God simply is not like that; He is both constant and consistent (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17). God expects us to learn to properly understand and apply His Word (2 Timothy 2:15). The Bible interprets the Bible!

4. “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is its blood.

the life of all flesh is in it’s blood. We see some of the laws of God being given here way before the time of Moses and mount Sinai; where God gave His law to Moses, for the Hebrew people (The nation of Israel), God told Moses on Mount Sinai that the blood of all flesh is to be used to purify themselves, for their souls. (Lev. 17:10-16), anyone who ate the blood were to be separated from their people.

5. “Surely for your lifeblood I will demand a reckoning; from the hand of every beast I will require it, and from the hand of man. From the hand of every man’s brother I will require the life of man. Ex. 21:12

If any man or beast takes the life of any man or woman, God requires, from the one who murdered (Man or beast), to be held accountable for his or hers actions. He will require that their life be taken as well. Again, this was spelled out more clearly in the Exodus when God gave Moses His laws (Exo. 21:12, 28 ).

6. “Whoever sheds man’s blood,
By man his blood shall be
shed;
For in the image of God
He made man. 1:26: Rom. 13:4

Three times, between verses’ four thru six the laws of God are being revealed to Noah. this verse speaks of the law of murder out of hate. God does distinguish between accidentally shedding blood from a man, or out of Hatred, It should stand to reason that He is not speaking of an accidental killing but a planned one. In the previous chapter Noah offered up sacrifices of the clean animals and birds to the Lord to honor him. so he knew perfectly well what God is speaking of when it comes to the shedding of blood of man, by man. God didn’t have to spell it out like He did with the Hebrew people in the Exodus account (Exo. 20:13, Exo. 21: 12-14, Num. 35:15-30) , During the Exodus and the wondering in the desert You can see How God expanded upon this law of murder, as it was required. at this point in time of the flood it was not required to go into further detail with Noah. “In the image of God He made man,” Therefore when one of His children kills another one of His children, the Lord takes it very personally. it’s as if that person was killing a part God himself (At least that’s the way I see it), That person was taking away something very precious to the Lord. Not only that but it also Grieves God in His heart to see what His creation has done to one of His own. No doubt this weighed heavy on His mind. I would venture to guess that a lot of this was going on before the flood, which is one reason God felt compelled to explain the significance of taking the life of another person to Noah.

7. And as for you, be fruitful and multiply;
Bring forth abundantly in the earth
And multiply in it.” 1:28

Do not take life from one another, rather create life and fill the earth tremendously, for this purpose I have created you, male and female, that you should be joined together as one. In my opinion this is what God is expressing to Noah, His desire to have Godly offspring, Children, Family, loving one another, in perfect harmony with each other. This is our destiny; to become children of God in His family. He will be our God and we will be His people, We will be His children, and He will be our Father ( 2 Cor. 6:16-18 ),

8. Then God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him saying 9. “And as for me behold, I establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you, 10. “and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ark, every beast of the earth.

This covenant is not only to man, but God says that his covenant is also to every living creature that came out of the ark. It’s the only covenant of God that includes the animal kind, bird kind, and all kinds. the word “beast” is from strongs( #H2416), which is defined as alive, living, green, as in vegetation. as well as the animal kind. Lets just think about this for a minute… God is not only making a covenant with man, animal, and birds, but with the plant life also, wow! everything He made is near and dear to him. So much so that the great Creator God is making a vow not only to Mankind but also to the plants, animals, birds, “All Living Things.” God told Adam and Eve to take care of the garden (The vegetation, the plants, the herbs,) along with the animal kind, and bird kind. And He is establishing a covenant with them. This is mind boggling to me, All living things are precious to God, not just man, as we arrogantly think of ourselves. It takes me aback, and beckons me to take a much deeper look into who the Father is. for His ways are not our ways, nor his thoughts our thoughts, Who can understand them.? Through Isaiah God is speaking to all of us who would hear and listen. In verse twelve God speaks of the mountains and the trees as if they could speak like us: The mountains and the hills will sing, and the trees will clap their hands (Isa. 55:12), He speaks of the mountains and the trees as if they are His children like us, who sing and rejoice when we are happy. I see my Father in heaven from a whole new aspect of who He is. This now gives me a clearer understanding of Romans chapter eight, verses nineteen thru twenty tw0. I get much deeper understanding of these verses when Paul says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation waits for the manifestation of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19-22 ), Not only man, but all creation is waiting for us ( man ), to become what is our full potential; to tend to and care for our Fathers creation which He made from the beginning, to beautify His creation (the garden and all kinds of creation ), I would venture to say not only these things, but the universe, Space itself, will be magnified when we come into our own.

11. “Thus I establish my covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12. And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: vv. 13, 17; 17:11

Again God repeats that His covenant is not only for Noah and mankind, but to all living things. As blood is the life for all creatures, so to is water to all the living of His creation (Meaning the fish of the waters ), for the waters have oxygen in them that gives the sea creatures the ability to breathe. see my commentary on the strongs definition of “Living” in verse 10. Whoever drinks of the water that he gives, shall never thirst (John 4:14 ). And he who believes on me shall never thirst (John 6:35 ). For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will feed them and will lead them to the fountains of living waters. And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. ( Rev. 7:17). Lord come quickly !

13. “I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

The rainbow we see in the sky is to be a remembrance of the promise/covenant that God made between Him and the whole earth, and those who dwell in it.

14. “It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; Ezek. 1:28 15. “and I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Before the flood there wasn’t really clouds in the sky., nor rain. There was, as it were, a mist in the heavens that watered the earth; the plant life, that they may grow, the animals and man itself, that they may drink of it to sustain their life, as it was in the beginning. Gen. 2:5-8

16. “The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17. And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.” v. 12

God never goes back on his word. A covenant, as mentioned in the Bible is basically a contract between two parties. As I go through my studies I will come across other covenants that God makes Between him and his people. Also as I go through my studies it will be evident that God never breaks any of his covenants. However it appears to me (in my opinion) That this covenant is strictly a one party contract with man. God promises not just Noah and his family, but in verse ten he also makes this promise to all the animals and creeping things of the earth, that he will never again destroy the earth, or any living thing that is on the earth, by the waters of the flood. This is an everlasting covenant God makes with every living creature of the flesh. However, unlike other covenants God makes, there is no promises that man has to give in order for this covenant to be kept. As a sign to mankind, God Gives us a gift from heaven, from his holiest of all holiest places; in verse thirteen God says, “I set MY rainbow in the cloud.” Ezek 1:1, 1:28. We see in these verses that Ezekiel has a vision, and in this vision Ezekiel describes what he sees in heaven and how God appears to him. Please permit me to get off the subject of the covenant here for one minute, and implore to whoever reads this, to go to Ezekiel chapter one and read the whole chapter. The description that Ezekiel gives of heaven will capture the imagination of what heaven is like, and this is but a brief glimpse of the majesty of Gods kingdom. Now I digress, we see in Ezekiel s description of heaven, that a bow is mentioned as a way to describe the likeness of the glory God. This is why I say that the rainbow is a gift from God to man. As I have been taught, up until the flood, there was never any rain on the earth. As in the beginning, there was a mist that covered the earth and this mist is what fed the plants of the earth (Gen 2:5, 6).

18. Now the sons of Noah who went out of the ark were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan. vv. 22, 25; 10:6

19. these three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated. 10:1, 32

From the time of Noah, on down to the present time (2024), The whole earth has been populated by the descendants of Noah. It is through Noah’s son Shem from whence the seed of Jesus Christ would be born. We can see this genealogy being told in Luke chapter three, beginning in verse twenty three. In verse eighteen Canaan is also mentioned along with Noah’s sons as the son of Ham. I believe the reason for this is because of what we are told about Ham, and the curse that Noah put on Ham’s son Canaan in verses twenty three thru twenty seven below. Because of Canaan’s father Ham (who saw his father Noah’s nakedness), Noah put a curse on Canaan. Ham had three other sons: Cush, Put and Mizraim. Yet Canaan is the only son of Noah’s son that is mentioned here in verse eighteen. I suppose this is to give validity to the overthrow of these people by Israel when they came into the land. Israel was the rod of God’s anger towards the Canaanites, just as God used the Assyrian people for as His rod of anger against Israel as their punishment for forsaken God (Isa. 10: 5-6), When king David gained the throne of Israel he basically vanquished the Canaanite people (See Canaan, Historical Region in the Middle East at Britannica.com) I would venture to guess that a remnant of Canaan did become servants to the Israeli nation as foretold by Noah.

20. And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. 21. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent.

Eph. 5:18

22. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.

We learn from verse 20 that Noah took up farming, and as part of his crop he grew grapes. God says that he gave every green herb of the field for consumption, but it is Gods gift of free will to man, as to how he will make use of the green herbs, be it for medicinal purposes, for meat, (which I believe is God intent) but as in the days of Adam and Eve: God also gave another purpose for the trees in the garden; one which is the tree of life, the other the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Just as the grapes are grown for meat or medicinal purposes, so to can they be used for evil purposes. This is the only time in the bible where we see that Noah, for whatever reason sinned against God. How Noah discovered the fermentation process of making grapes into wine is irrelevant to the story. What is important to understand, in my thought process, is the consequences one endures when they decide the way of Satan and not of God. Noah’s punishment(in my opinion) is the violation of his body by another man(his own son for that matter) who took advantage of his drunkenness, and committed a sexual act against his father. When we look in other passages of the Bible that speak of ones nakedness, this is referring to acts of sexual conduct (Compare Lev 20:11, 18, 20, 21, Hab 2:15)

23. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father, their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.

24. So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him.

In these two verses, it is clear as to who Ham violated: Noah or Noah’s wife? In verse twenty three we see where Shem and Japheth covered Noah’s nakedness (not Noah’s wife’s nakedness), Then in verse twenty four we see that Noah discovers what Ham did to him (not his wife)

25. Then he said: 12:; 13:7
“Cursed be Canaan; Deut. 7:1-5
A servant of servants Josh. 9:1,2
He shall be to his brethren.”

26. And he said:

“Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Shem,
And may Canaan be his servant.
27. May God enlarge Japheth,
And may he dwell in the tents of Shem:
And may Canaan be his servant.”

I must first state here that there is a lot of disagreement as to why Canaan was cursed instead of Ham. Without going into great detail, let me just say that some think that it was Canaan who uncovered Noah’s nakedness and not Ham, hence the curse is on Canaan. I do not subscribe to this theory. In my opinion, it was Ham who uncovered Noah’s nakedness. Also, in my opinion, the reason why the curse was laid upon Canaan is because he is a son of Ham, maybe even the firstborn. The reason I say he might be the firstborn is that There are times in the Bible when given the genealogy of descendants, that there is no reference as to who is the eldest or firstborn. Then other times there are mentioning s of who was firstborn as in the example of the sons of Canaan. Let me just give a couple of examples:

Gen 6:10 And Noah begat three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth

Gen 10:15 And Canaan fathered Sidon, his first-born, and Heth,

Gen 10:22 The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.

Gen 11:10 These are the generations of Shem: Shem was a hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

So in my opinion, the first name listed in the genealogies is not always the firstborn, as I have previously shown with the sons of Noah. We can also see where Arphaxad is mentioned twice but in my opinion it doesn’t say if he was the oldest, in the middle, or the youngest of Shem. One thing we do know for sure is that through the seed of Arphaxad comes the Messiah Jesus Christ. If he is not the firstborn, according to the list of the sons of Shem, in Gen. 11:10 then why is he given the blessing of the seed of Jesus Christ? These are just things to ponder when reading the Bible.
Just to let it be known, whoever reads my work, please take into consideration that when I come across matters such as this, that are not a clear black and white issue, that I have taken considerable amount of time in research, meditation, and prayer to help me come to my conclusions. I do not take anything I read in the Bible lightly, and will to the best of my ability stay true to the Word of God. This doesn’t mean that I have all the correct answers, and in no means am I trying to say that I know it all. I have already had to go back and edit my previous writings on a couple occasions, because of new passages I have read, or new things that came up in my research, or because of something I heard from my ministers on the Sabbath. Sometimes I have literally been driving down the road, or sitting at home, and something will come into my head, and I tell myself “you need to go back and add or change something in this part or that.”
I digress, The bottom line is that the curse is put on Canaan and his descendants, and as we will see in further studies, this curse is on the land of the Canaanites (descendants of Canaan) and the land of Canaan.

28. And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.
29. So all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years and he died.

Noah died in the year 2006 AC. As we will see later on in my file “The Genealogy of Mankind,” through the seed of Adam, that Abram also known as Abraham (the father of faith), was born 12 years after Noah’s death. Shem was 448 years old at the time of Noah’s death.

Genesis-chapter 8

8

1. Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided.
2. The fountains of the deep and the windows of heaven were also stopped, and the rain from heaven were restrained. 7:11
3. And the waters receded continually from the earth. At the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters decreased. 7:24
4. Then the ark rested in the seventh month, the seventeenth day of the month, on the mountains of Ararat. Is. 37:38; Jer. 51:27
5. And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were seen. 7:20

God did not forget Noah and his family, or all that was in the ark. So God caused the waters to recede back into the fountains of the deep, and he stopped the heavens above to cease from raining In the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, (Which is the month of Nisan), according to the Jewish sacred calendar. This is the exact same time when the flood began (during the months of March and April), when all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of the heavens were opened up (Gen. 7:11). The tenth month, on the first day of the month puts us in the month of Tebeth, according to the Jewish calendar. This would have been during the months of December and January. As we see in the accounting of the flood, God gives specific dates of this occurrence, Why? After careful consideration and research, The only thing that makes any sense is what was explained to me by one of the elders of my church. He went on to explain it in this way: I’m paraphrasing here, It was to give credence to God and the truth of his story. He then went on to elaborate on this. Again I am paraphrasing what he said; Throughout the centuries, and in all religions and cultures, there is an accounting of the earth, at some point in time, having been flooded with water. However only our God of the christian faith puts an exact date as to when this occurred. No other culture or religion, for whatever reason (either as to lose credibility of their own beliefs, or because of no scientific data at the time of the records of the flood), will go this far in explaining the flood.

6. So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. 6:16

As God promised, the rain lasted forty days and forty nights. Along with the number Seven being a sign of not only perfection but also of completeness, it appears that the number forty is also a number of significance in God word (Compare Exo 24:18, 34:28, Num 14: 32-33 , Luke 4:1-2).

7. Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth.

After the rains stopped and the fountains of the deep ceased, Noah sent out raven to scout for dry land to no avail. The raven never came back into the ark, but probably perched outside the ark, flying around the waters looking for dry land.

8. He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground.
9. But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself.

As opposed to the raven, every time the dove came back to Noah, she came to him and was safely put back into the ark. I believe that the Dove described here is representative of God’s spirit being present with Noah and his family while they were in the ark waiting for the flood-waters to recede ( Matt 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32).

10. And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. 11. Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. 12. So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.

There are three things which come to mind in these verses. First verse ten and twelve. It appears that it took a total of 21 days, in seven day increments, in which Noah would send out the dove from the ark, before the dove would return with an olive branch. This brings to mind the age of Lamech 777 years, who is the father of Noah. Remember the number seven is a sign of perfection in the bible. Verse eleven is of a spiritual nature. Like I mentioned earlier the dove is representative of God’s spirit. The olive tree, and its branches have been used symbolically in the scriptures in the Psalms and also in Hosea. Each time they are mentioned it is followed by a time of God’s wrath on the iniquities of the world. When God has cast away the wickedness from the land and the evil people He brings about peace and blessings to the land and the people of the of Israel. The olive branch is symbolic of peace and deliverance from their iniquities. The branches of the olive tree are used to describe Israel as being beautiful, and grow to be fruitful in all the land, they will live in peace and prosperity (Psalms 52, 128, Hosea 14). God said He grieved in his heart because the hearts of men were continually thinking evil thoughts. god felt so bad that He said He was sorry for what He had created. Never let it be said of you that God was sorry for the day you were born, that separation from God would be too much for me personally to bear. Noah and his family have been delivered from the cataclysmic event that had just occurred. The third thing which comes to mind is the last part of verse twelve where we see that the Dove did not return to Noah again. This brings to mind what God said in Genesis 6:3:

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be a hundred and twenty years.

In my opinion, by the dove not returning to Noah, is symbolic of what God promised in Gen. 6:3. With the exception of a few chosen men and women throughout the scriptures God’s spirit did not dwell with men again until the day of Pentecost ( Joel 2:28,29 , Acts 2: 38-41), when about three thousand people received His Spirit on that day. This prophecy of Joel has not been fulfilled completely even to this day, in the latter days (As the prophet joel spoke),God will once again pour out His Spirit in the latter days; of the end of this earth age.

13. And it came to pass in the six hundred and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, that the waters were dried up from the earth; and Noah removed to covering of the ark and looked, and indeed the surface of the ground was dry.

The six hundred and first year would bring Noah to the age of six hundred and one years old (Gen. 7:11), where it speaks of Noah being six hundred years old when the flood began. This tells us that Noah and his family were on the ark for almost a year before the earth was “dried up” from the flood. In the Jewish sacred calendar the first month would be the month of Nissan (The same month the flood waters were released from the fountains of the deep, and the windows of heaven were opened up). In regards to our Gregorian calendar this would have occurred somewhere between March and April. The covering that Noah removed is referring to pitch that was used in Gen 6:14 to protect the ark from the rains.

14. And in the second month, on the twenty seventh day of the month, the earth was dried. 7:11
15. Then God spoke to Noah saying,
16. “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. 7:13 17. “Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” 18. So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. 19. Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark. 7:2, 3

It was a total of 57 days from the time that the surface of the ground was dry to the time that the earth was dried. During this time Noah and his family stayed on the ark waiting for God’s instructions. Noah’s faith in God was strong. He waited on the Lord to tell him when it was time to leave the ark, and not of his own understanding. This is a great lesson in patience for all of us, it is one of the fruits of the Spirit that is spoken of in Galatians chapter five. for if we are led in the Spirit and not in the works of the flesh it should be clearly seen that God’s Spirit dwells in us. (Gal. 5:18-23), Noah has come to learn to be patient with the lord in the weightier matters of life, but only after years and years of God working with him and shaping him to be the man he has come to be; righteous unto the lord. Noah is mentioned as a man of faith in Hebrews eleven (Hebrews. 11:7)

20. Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took every clean animal and every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
21. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma. Then the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’ sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done. 22. “While the earth remains seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease. Jer. 33:20, 25

As we know from earlier passages: Of the Clean animals Noah took seven pairs, male and female, and only one pair male and female of the unclean animals. The burnt offerings that Noah sacrificed to the Lord on the altar are just one reason why God instructed Noah to take so many of the clean animals onto the ark. According to the law of God only the clean animal kind can be sacrificed to God as offerings. When the verse says that God smelled a soothing aroma, it wasn’t in a literal sense per se, but in the sense that God was pleased in the offering of Noah, or maybe it was literal, what do I know? It was only the clean animals that God would accept as a sacrifice to Him, and in chapter nine verse two, in Genesis we are told that God has now giving man every living thing that moves for food. Verse 20 above tells us that Noah offered up to God “EVERY” clean animal and clean bird, Noah wasn’t concerned about Where he and his family would get their next meal, it was Noah’s faith that God would provide, Noah’s faith is what was the soothing aroma that God smelled, not the actual scent of the animal’s meat on the altar.
Verse twenty two is the description of the covenant that God makes with Noah as he promised him (Gen 6:18). God acknowledges that man’s heart is evil early on in life, but even so, the Lord will never again destroy all living things because of man’s iniquities. This is a promise that he makes with Noah, and as we study the Bible in its entirety, we learn that God never breaks a promise/ covenant that he makes with his loyal servants. It is always man who breaks their promise to God and transgress from Him and his Law. Even still as man breaks their covenant with God He keeps his end of the bargain. I could go on and on, and show scripture after scripture, to support what I am saying here, but then that would deprive anyone who reads this from developing their own relationship with God, and learning this on their own. I actually would rather people learn this themselves, and not take my word for it, read the Bible yourself, see for your own eyes, God’s word is true, and he cannot lie, or He will cease from being who He is.