Gen 12:2-3 | TNotes | STEP | 12:2 make you famous (literally make your name great ): Abram received the fame sought by the builders of Babel (see 11:4 and study note). • and you will be a blessing (or so that you will be a blessing ): This clause is a command in Hebrew, but it is also a promise conditioned upon Abram’s obedience to God’s command (12:1 ): “Go ... so that you will be a blessing. Be a blessing, so that I can bless and curse others.”

a12:2►

b11:4►

c12:1►

d12:3►

e12:2►

fGal 3:8►

g16►

hRom 9:4-5►

‏ Genesis 12:2-3

12:2 ^a make you famous (literally make your name great): Abram received the fame sought by the builders of Babel (see 11:4 ^b and study note).

• and you will be a blessing (or so that you will be a blessing): This clause is a command in Hebrew, but it is also a promise conditioned upon Abram’s obedience to God’s command (12:1 ^c): “Go ... so that you will be a blessing. Be a blessing, so that I can bless and curse others.”
12:3 ^d Based on Abram’s obedience to the command to be a blessing (12:2 ^e), God gave him three more promises.

• those who treat you with contempt: People who disregarded Abram and his covenant were rejecting God’s choice and plan.

• All the families on earth will be blessed: By faith, they could participate in the covenant God was making with Abram. The blessing spread to the whole world through Abraham, Israel, the covenants, the prophets, Scripture, and the Messiah (Gal 3:8 ^f, 16 ^g; cp. Rom 9:4-5 ^h).