Genesis - 13:4



4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on the name of Yahweh.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 13:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
unto the place of the altar which he made there at the first, and there doth Abram preach in the name of Jehovah.
To the place where he had made his first altar, and there Abram gave worship to the name of the Lord.
There, at the place of the altar he had made before, he again called upon the name of the Lord.
Ad locum altaris quod fecerat in principio: et invocavit ibi Abram nomen Jehovae.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first,.... When he first came to that place, and before he went down to Egypt: it is not said he came to the altar, but "to the place", where it had stood, for it seems now to have been demolished, either having fallen of itself, being made of earth, or had been destroyed by the Canaanites, since Abram left it; or perhaps it might be pulled down by Abram himself before he went from thence, that it might not be used and polluted by the idolatrous Canaanites.
And there Abram called on the name of the Lord; prayed unto him, and gave him thanks for the preservation of him and his wife in Egypt; for the support of himself and his family there during the famine in Canaan; for the increase of his worldly substance, and for the protection of him, and all that belonged to him, in his journey from Egypt thither; and for all the instances of his grace, and the rich experiences of his goodness he had favoured him with; See Gill on Genesis 12:8 where the same form of expression is used.

there Abram called on the name of the Lord--He felt a strong desire to reanimate his faith and piety on the scene of his former worship: it might be to express humility and penitence for his misconduct in Egypt or thankfulness for deliverance from perils--to embrace the first opportunity on returning to Canaan of leading his family to renew allegiance to God and offer the typical sacrifices which pointed to the blessings of the promise.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Genesis 13:4

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.