And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
9. toward the South ] Heb. Negeb, the southern tract of Judah. Negeb means “the dry land,” “the land of thin soil.” It was applied especially to the country in the southernmost region of Canaan, described in Jos 15:21-32, and spoken of in Num 13:17; Num 13:22; Num 13:26. The Israelite, dwelling in Palestine, was accustomed to speak of the south as the “negeb” quarter, just as he spoke of the west as the “sea” quarter, of the compass. The R.V. prints the word “South” with a capital, when it denotes the region between Hebron and the wilderness. It is found in the form Ngb in an Egyptian writing of the reign of Thothmes III (1479 1447 b.c.) as a name for S. Palestine (Mller’s Asien u. Europa, p. 148).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Removing from place to place, still hoping to meet with better neighbours, and to free himself from that perpetual vexation which he had in beholding their wickedness.
Toward the south, i.e. the southern part of the land of Canaan towards Egypt.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Abram journeyed,…. He did not stay long in the mountain between Bethel and Hai, but moved from thence, and kept on journeying in the land of Canaan:
going on still toward the south; the southern part of the land of Canaan, which lay nearest Egypt, into which he is said to go next, the occasion of which follows.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
9. And Abram journeyed. This was the third removal of the holy man within a short period, after he seemed to have found some kind of abode. It is certain that he did not voluntarily, and for his own gratification, run hither and thither, (as light-minded persons are wont to do:) but there were certain necessities which drove him forth, in order to teach him, by continual habit, that he was not only a stranger, but a wretched wanderer in the land of which he was the lord. Yet no common fruit was the result of so many changes; because he endeavored, as much as in him lay, to dedicate to God, every part of the land to which he had access, and perfumed it with the odour of his faith.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) Toward the south.The Negeb, or dry land, so called because the soil being a soft white chalk, the rains sink through it, and even in the valleys run below the surface of the ground. Though treeless, it is still rich in flocks and herds, but the water has to be collected in tanks and cisterns (Conder, Tent Work, ii. 87).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Abram journeyed Literally, and Abram pulled up, (his tent-pins,) going and pulling up, (encamping and striking his tents . )
Toward the south Hebrew, towards the Negeb, that is, the country south of Palestine; probably encamping in the vale of Hebron, where we afterwards find him . Thus he dwelt in tabernacles (tents) with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the promise, a stranger in the land which yet he called his own . Heb 11:9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Abram journeyed going on still towards the Negev.’
The Negev was the Southern highland, sloping southward between Hebron and Beer-sheba, the southernmost part of Canaan, and very suitable for grazing. Abram has now passed through the whole land, surveying it in Yahweh’s name, and seeking pasture. It is his new home. Archaeology testifies to the occupancy of this area by peoples similar to Abram around this time. The route taken by Abram also fits in with what we know of such people from this period, keeping to the hills and avoiding the great cities in the coastal plain.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 12:9. And Abram journeyed, &c. Without any fixed abode, this favoured patriarch removed his tents from place to place, Heb 11:9 as he found it most convenient, in primitive and happy simplicity; still directing his course towards the south: and provisions failing in the land of Canaan, he went down to AEgypt, which lay low in comparison of Canaan, to sojourn there a while, to make a temporary stay there, till the famine should be abated.
REFLECTIONS.Abram is come into the land, but he finds no present possession in it. Observe,
1. His journeyings. He was a wandering pilgrim, without a settled abode, and in a strange land, glad to pick up a subsistence in the mountain or the plain, wherever he found a spot unoccupied. To be a stranger and pilgrim on earth, is the true character of a traveller to glory.
2. God’s appearing to him. Though he was without comfort in the land, he had abundance in the Lord, whose presence amply repaid every toil. The Lord comes with promises of rich encouragement, and that is sterling payment in Abram’s eyes: the land is now made over to him and his seed. Note; (1.) Where God visits us, we never can be desolate, though we were alone on a mountain. (2.) Though we leave all for God, we shall receive it again with interest; in this world an hundred fold, and in the world to come life everlasting.
3. Abram’s grateful acknowledgment of the mercy. He builded an altar. A special favour demands a special return of thanks: though the promise be distant, faith embraces it as present and sure; such is its realizing nature. Not that this altar, in another sense, was extraordinary. Wherever he was, he had an altar with him; he and his house must serve the Lord, and prayer and praise are their constant duty and delight. Family worship is of ancient date; they who have not an altar in their family for constant devotion, will not have God in their house for their constant friend.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 12:9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
Ver. 9. Going on still towards the south. ] As toward the sun, whereby may be figured, saith an expositor, his progress in faith and grace, as Pro 4:18 2Co 3:18 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
south. Hebrew the Negeb or hill country S. of Judah (Compare Gen 13:1, Gen 13:3). The Egyptian texts mention the Negeb. Towns taken by Shishak are mentioned as being there, e.g. Jerahmeel, Gerar, Kadesh, and Gaza.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
going on still: Heb. in going and journeying, Gen 13:3, Gen 24:62, Psa 105:13, Heb 11:13, Heb 11:14
Reciprocal: Gen 13:1 – the south Gen 20:13 – God Num 13:17 – southward
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
12:9 {k} And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
(k) Thus the children of God may look for no rest in this world, but must wait for the heavenly rest and quietness.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
He next continued south toward the Negev (lit. dry), perhaps because of a shortage of food for his grazing animals (Gen 12:10).
The nation of Israel in Moses’ day shared the same call that God had extended to Abram. She was to leave her place of residence, Egypt, and go to a Promised Land to worship and serve God there with the promise of blessing. This required faith. We have a similar calling. Believers who walk by faith will forsake much to become part of God’s program to bless the world.
"Departure from securities is the only way out of barrenness." [Note: Brueggemann, Genesis, p. 118.]