Lenten Season · Second Sunday of Lent · Year A
Genesis 12:1-4a
The Call of Abram
March 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
Now the Lord said to Abram, Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. (Genesis 12:1)
God calls Abram to leave everything familiar for a land not yet named, and attaches to that call a promise of blessing for Abram and, through him, for every family on earth. Abram's only recorded response is that he went, as the Lord had told him.
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Take it further: Genesis 12:1-4a
Commentary
Commentary on Genesis 12:1-4aCommentary on Gn 12:1-4a Working Preacher
Working Preacher's Year A commentary calls this one of the most dramatic transitions in the Old Testament story.
Genesis 12:1-4a CommentaryGn 12:1-4a Commentary CEP (cepreaching.org)
The Center for Excellence in Preaching frames the call as Lent's own invitation to leave what is familiar.
Genesis 12 Bible CommentaryGn 12 Bible Commentary Enduring Word
David Guzik's chapter commentary covers the terms of the promise God makes to Abram before he takes a step.
Genesis 12 CommentaryGn 12 Commentary Precept Austin
Precept Austin calls Genesis 12 the watershed chapter of the whole book and annotates the call verse by verse.
Genesis 12 - Barnes' NotesGn 12 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight
Barnes' Notes explains the scope of the promise that all families of the earth will be blessed through Abram.
The Church Fathers
Background & Word Study
Genesis 12:1 InterlinearGn 12:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Hebrew interlinear shows the string of promises, blessing, name and land, stacked in verses 2 and 3.
Genesis 12 (Hebrew and English)Gn 12 (Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Sefaria's Hebrew text lets readers read the call of Abram alongside classic Jewish commentators.
Book of Genesis Summary (Part 2)Book of Gn Summary (Part 2) BibleProject
BibleProject's overview of Genesis 12-50 opens with this same call and traces the family story it starts.
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