Torah reading
Genesis 12:1-17:27
1וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם לֶךְ־לְךָ מֵאַרְצְךָ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ וּמִבֵּית אָבִיךָ אֶל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַרְאֶֽךָּGOD said to Abram, “Go forth from your native land and from your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
2וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל וַאֲבָרֶכְךָ וַאֲגַדְּלָה שְׁמֶךָ וֶהְיֵה בְּרָכָֽהI will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you; I will make your name great, And you shall be a blessing.
3וַאֲבָֽרְכָה מְבָרְכֶיךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ אָאֹר וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָֽהI will bless those who bless you And curse the one who curses you; And all the families of the earth Shall bless themselves by you.”
4וַיֵּלֶךְ אַבְרָם כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה וַיֵּלֶךְ אִתּוֹ לוֹט וְאַבְרָם בֶּן־חָמֵשׁ שָׁנִים וְשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה בְּצֵאתוֹ מֵחָרָֽןAbram went forth as GOD had commanded him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
5וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָם אֶת־שָׂרַי אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאֶת־לוֹט בֶּן־אָחִיו וְאֶת־כׇּל־רְכוּשָׁם אֲשֶׁר רָכָשׁוּ וְאֶת־הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר־עָשׂוּ בְחָרָן וַיֵּצְאוּ לָלֶכֶת אַרְצָה כְּנַעַן וַיָּבֹאוּ אַרְצָה כְּנָֽעַןAbram took his wife Sarai and his brother’s son Lot, and all the wealth that they had amassed, and the persons that they had acquired in Haran; and they set out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in the land of Canaan,
6וַיַּעֲבֹר אַבְרָם בָּאָרֶץ עַד מְקוֹם שְׁכֶם עַד אֵלוֹן מוֹרֶה וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי אָז בָּאָֽרֶץAbram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, at the terebinth of Moreh. The Canaanites were then in the land.
7וַיֵּרָא יְהֹוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם וַיֹּאמֶר לְזַרְעֲךָ אֶתֵּן אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת וַיִּבֶן שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהֹוָה הַנִּרְאֶה אֵלָֽיוGOD appeared to Abram and said, “I will assign this land to your offspring.” And he built an altar there to GOD who had appeared to him.
8וַיַּעְתֵּק מִשָּׁם הָהָרָה מִקֶּדֶם לְבֵֽית־אֵל וַיֵּט אׇהֳלֹה בֵּֽית־אֵל מִיָּם וְהָעַי מִקֶּדֶם וַיִּֽבֶן־שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ לַֽיהֹוָה וַיִּקְרָא בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָֽהFrom there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and he built there an altar to GOD and invoked GOD by name.
9וַיִּסַּע אַבְרָם הָלוֹךְ וְנָסוֹעַ הַנֶּֽגְבָּהThen Abram journeyed by stages toward the Negeb.
10וַיְהִי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ וַיֵּרֶד אַבְרָם מִצְרַיְמָה לָגוּר שָׁם כִּֽי־כָבֵד הָרָעָב בָּאָֽרֶץThere was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land.
11וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר הִקְרִיב לָבוֹא מִצְרָיְמָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־שָׂרַי אִשְׁתּוֹ הִנֵּה־נָא יָדַעְתִּי כִּי אִשָּׁה יְפַת־מַרְאֶה אָֽתְּAs he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife Sarai, “I know what a beautiful woman you are.
12וְהָיָה כִּֽי־יִרְאוּ אֹתָךְ הַמִּצְרִים וְאָמְרוּ אִשְׁתּוֹ זֹאת וְהָרְגוּ אֹתִי וְאֹתָךְ יְחַיּֽוּIf the Egyptians see you, and think, ‘She is his wife,’ they will kill me and let you live.
13אִמְרִי־נָא אֲחֹתִי אָתְּ לְמַעַן יִֽיטַב־לִי בַעֲבוּרֵךְ וְחָיְתָה נַפְשִׁי בִּגְלָלֵֽךְPlease say that you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may remain alive thanks to you.”
14וַיְהִי כְּבוֹא אַבְרָם מִצְרָיְמָה וַיִּרְאוּ הַמִּצְרִים אֶת־הָאִשָּׁה כִּֽי־יָפָה הִוא מְאֹֽדWhen Abram entered Egypt, the Egyptians saw how very beautiful the woman was.
15וַיִּרְאוּ אֹתָהּ שָׂרֵי פַרְעֹה וַיְהַֽלְלוּ אֹתָהּ אֶל־פַּרְעֹה וַתֻּקַּח הָאִשָּׁה בֵּית פַּרְעֹֽהPharaoh’s courtiers saw her and praised her to Pharaoh, and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s palace.
16וּלְאַבְרָם הֵיטִיב בַּעֲבוּרָהּ וַֽיְהִי־לוֹ צֹאן־וּבָקָר וַחֲמֹרִים וַעֲבָדִים וּשְׁפָחֹת וַאֲתֹנֹת וּגְמַלִּֽיםAnd because of her, it went well with Abram; he acquired sheep, oxen, donkeys, male and female slaves, jennies, and camels.
17וַיְנַגַּע יְהֹוָה אֶת־פַּרְעֹה נְגָעִים גְּדֹלִים וְאֶת־בֵּיתוֹ עַל־דְּבַר שָׂרַי אֵשֶׁת אַבְרָֽםBut GOD afflicted Pharaoh and his household with mighty plagues on account of Sarai, the wife of Abram.
18וַיִּקְרָא פַרְעֹה לְאַבְרָם וַיֹּאמֶר מַה־זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ לִּי לָמָּה לֹא־הִגַּדְתָּ לִּי כִּי אִשְׁתְּךָ הִֽואPharaoh sent for Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me! Why did you not tell me that she was your wife?
19לָמָה אָמַרְתָּ אֲחֹתִי הִוא וָאֶקַּח אֹתָהּ לִי לְאִשָּׁה וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה אִשְׁתְּךָ קַח וָלֵֽךְWhy did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her as my wife? Now, here is your wife; take her and begone!”
20וַיְצַו עָלָיו פַּרְעֹה אֲנָשִׁים וַֽיְשַׁלְּחוּ אֹתוֹ וְאֶת־אִשְׁתּוֹ וְאֶת־כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לֽוֹAnd Pharaoh put some men in charge of him, and they sent him off with his wife and all that he possessed.
21וַיַּעַל אַבְרָם מִמִּצְרַיִם הוּא וְאִשְׁתּוֹ וְכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ וְלוֹט עִמּוֹ הַנֶּֽגְבָּהFrom Egypt, Abram went up into the Negeb, with his wife and all that he possessed, together with Lot.
22וְאַבְרָם כָּבֵד מְאֹד בַּמִּקְנֶה בַּכֶּסֶף וּבַזָּהָֽבNow Abram was very rich in cattle, silver, and gold.
23וַיֵּלֶךְ לְמַסָּעָיו מִנֶּגֶב וְעַד־בֵּֽית־אֵל עַד־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר־הָיָה שָׁם אׇֽהֳלֹה בַּתְּחִלָּה בֵּין בֵּֽית־אֵל וּבֵין הָעָֽיAnd he proceeded by stages from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been formerly, between Bethel and Ai,
24אֶל־מְקוֹם הַמִּזְבֵּחַ אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה שָׁם בָּרִאשֹׁנָה וַיִּקְרָא שָׁם אַבְרָם בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָֽהthe site of the altar that he had built there at first; and there Abram invoked GOD by name.
25וְגַם־לְלוֹט הַהֹלֵךְ אֶת־אַבְרָם הָיָה צֹאן־וּבָקָר וְאֹהָלִֽיםLot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,
26וְלֹא־נָשָׂא אֹתָם הָאָרֶץ לָשֶׁבֶת יַחְדָּו כִּֽי־הָיָה רְכוּשָׁם רָב וְלֹא יָֽכְלוּ לָשֶׁבֶת יַחְדָּֽוso that the land could not support them staying together; for their possessions were so great that they could not remain together.
27וַֽיְהִי־רִיב בֵּין רֹעֵי מִקְנֵֽה־אַבְרָם וּבֵין רֹעֵי מִקְנֵה־לוֹט וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי וְהַפְּרִזִּי אָז יֹשֵׁב בָּאָֽרֶץAnd there was quarreling between the herders of Abram’s cattle and those of Lot’s cattle.—The Canaanites and Perizzites were then dwelling in the land.—
28וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם אֶל־לוֹט אַל־נָא תְהִי מְרִיבָה בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וּבֵין רֹעַי וּבֵין רֹעֶיךָ כִּֽי־אֲנָשִׁים אַחִים אֲנָֽחְנוּAbram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, between my herders and yours, for we are, after all, kin.
29הֲלֹא כׇל־הָאָרֶץ לְפָנֶיךָ הִפָּרֶד נָא מֵעָלָי אִם־הַשְּׂמֹאל וְאֵימִנָה וְאִם־הַיָּמִין וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָהIs not the whole land before you? Let us separate: if you go north, I will go south; and if you go south, I will go north.”
30וַיִּשָּׂא־לוֹט אֶת־עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא אֶת־כׇּל־כִּכַּר הַיַּרְדֵּן כִּי כֻלָּהּ מַשְׁקֶה לִפְנֵי שַׁחֵת יְהֹוָה אֶת־סְדֹם וְאֶת־עֲמֹרָה כְּגַן־יְהֹוָה כְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם בֹּאֲכָה צֹֽעַרLot looked about him and saw how well watered was the whole plain of the Jordan, all of it—this was before GOD had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—all the way to Zoar, like the garden of GOD, like the land of Egypt.
31וַיִּבְחַר־לוֹ לוֹט אֵת כׇּל־כִּכַּר הַיַּרְדֵּן וַיִּסַּע לוֹט מִקֶּדֶם וַיִּפָּרְדוּ אִישׁ מֵעַל אָחִֽיוSo Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they parted from each other;
32אַבְרָם יָשַׁב בְּאֶֽרֶץ־כְּנָעַן וְלוֹט יָשַׁב בְּעָרֵי הַכִּכָּר וַיֶּאֱהַל עַד־סְדֹֽםAbram remained in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the Plain, pitching his tents near Sodom.
33וְאַנְשֵׁי סְדֹם רָעִים וְחַטָּאִים לַיהֹוָה מְאֹֽדNow the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked sinners against GOD.
34וַֽיהֹוָה אָמַר אֶל־אַבְרָם אַחֲרֵי הִפָּֽרֶד־לוֹט מֵֽעִמּוֹ שָׂא נָא עֵינֶיךָ וּרְאֵה מִן־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה שָׁם צָפֹנָה וָנֶגְבָּה וָקֵדְמָה וָיָֽמָּהAnd GOD said to Abram, after Lot had parted from him, “Raise your eyes and look out from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west,
35כִּי אֶת־כׇּל־הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּה רֹאֶה לְךָ אֶתְּנֶנָּה וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ עַד־עוֹלָֽםfor I give all the land that you see to you and your offspring forever.
36וְשַׂמְתִּי אֶֽת־זַרְעֲךָ כַּעֲפַר הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אִם־יוּכַל אִישׁ לִמְנוֹת אֶת־עֲפַר הָאָרֶץ גַּֽם־זַרְעֲךָ יִמָּנֶֽהI will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring too can be counted.
37קוּם הִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּאָרֶץ לְאׇרְכָּהּ וּלְרׇחְבָּהּ כִּי לְךָ אֶתְּנֶֽנָּהUp, walk about the land, through its length and its breadth, for I give it to you.”
38וַיֶּאֱהַל אַבְרָם וַיָּבֹא וַיֵּשֶׁב בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא אֲשֶׁר בְּחֶבְרוֹן וַיִּֽבֶן־שָׁם מִזְבֵּחַ לַֽיהֹוָֽהAnd Abram moved his tent, and came to dwell at the terebinths of Mamre, which are in Hebron; and he built an altar there to GOD.
39וַיְהִי בִּימֵי אַמְרָפֶל מֶֽלֶךְ־שִׁנְעָר אַרְיוֹךְ מֶלֶךְ אֶלָּסָר כְּדׇרְלָעֹמֶר מֶלֶךְ עֵילָם וְתִדְעָל מֶלֶךְ גּוֹיִֽםNow, when King Amraphel of Shinar, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim
40עָשׂוּ מִלְחָמָה אֶת־בֶּרַע מֶלֶךְ סְדֹם וְאֶת־בִּרְשַׁע מֶלֶךְ עֲמֹרָה שִׁנְאָב מֶלֶךְ אַדְמָה וְשֶׁמְאֵבֶר מֶלֶךְ (צביים) [צְבוֹיִם] וּמֶלֶךְ בֶּלַע הִיא־צֹֽעַרmade war on King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar,
41כׇּל־אֵלֶּה חָֽבְרוּ אֶל־עֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּים הוּא יָם הַמֶּֽלַחall the latter joined forces at the Valley of Siddim, now the Dead Sea.
42שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה עָבְדוּ אֶת־כְּדׇרְלָעֹמֶר וּשְׁלֹשׁ־עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה מָרָֽדוּTwelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
43וּבְאַרְבַּע עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה בָּא כְדׇרְלָעֹמֶר וְהַמְּלָכִים אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וַיַּכּוּ אֶת־רְפָאִים בְּעַשְׁתְּרֹת קַרְנַיִם וְאֶת־הַזּוּזִים בְּהָם וְאֵת הָֽאֵימִים בְּשָׁוֵה קִרְיָתָֽיִםIn the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim at Ham, the Emim at Shaveh-kiriathaim,
44וְאֶת־הַחֹרִי בְּהַרְרָם שֵׂעִיר עַד אֵיל פָּארָן אֲשֶׁר עַל־הַמִּדְבָּֽרand the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness.
45וַיָּשֻׁבוּ וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל־עֵין מִשְׁפָּט הִוא קָדֵשׁ וַיַּכּוּ אֶֽת־כׇּל־שְׂדֵה הָעֲמָלֵקִי וְגַם אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִי הַיֹּשֵׁב בְּחַֽצְצֹן תָּמָֽרOn their way back they came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and subdued all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazazon-tamar.
46וַיֵּצֵא מֶֽלֶךְ־סְדֹם וּמֶלֶךְ עֲמֹרָה וּמֶלֶךְ אַדְמָה וּמֶלֶךְ (צביים) [צְבוֹיִם] וּמֶלֶךְ בֶּלַע הִוא־צֹעַר וַיַּֽעַרְכוּ אִתָּם מִלְחָמָה בְּעֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּֽיםThen the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar, went forth and engaged them in battle in the Valley of Siddim:
47אֵת כְּדׇרְלָעֹמֶר מֶלֶךְ עֵילָם וְתִדְעָל מֶלֶךְ גּוֹיִם וְאַמְרָפֶל מֶלֶךְ שִׁנְעָר וְאַרְיוֹךְ מֶלֶךְ אֶלָּסָר אַרְבָּעָה מְלָכִים אֶת־הַחֲמִשָּֽׁהKing Chedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against those five.
48וְעֵמֶק הַשִּׂדִּים בֶּֽאֱרֹת בֶּאֱרֹת חֵמָר וַיָּנֻסוּ מֶֽלֶךְ־סְדֹם וַעֲמֹרָה וַיִּפְּלוּ־שָׁמָּה וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִים הֶרָה נָּֽסוּNow the Valley of Siddim was dotted with bitumen pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, in their flight, threw themselves into them, while the rest escaped to the hill country.
49וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־כׇּל־רְכֻשׁ סְדֹם וַעֲמֹרָה וְאֶת־כׇּל־אׇכְלָם וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ[The invaders] seized all the wealth of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their provisions, and went their way.
50וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־לוֹט וְאֶת־רְכֻשׁוֹ בֶּן־אֲחִי אַבְרָם וַיֵּלֵכוּ וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב בִּסְדֹֽםThey also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, and his possessions, and departed; for he had settled in Sodom.
51וַיָּבֹא הַפָּלִיט וַיַּגֵּד לְאַבְרָם הָעִבְרִי וְהוּא שֹׁכֵן בְּאֵֽלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא הָאֱמֹרִי אֲחִי אֶשְׁכֹּל וַאֲחִי עָנֵר וְהֵם בַּעֲלֵי בְרִית־אַבְרָֽםA fugitive brought the news to Abram the Hebrew, who was dwelling at the terebinths of Mamre the Amorite, kinsman of Eshkol and Aner, these being Abram’s allies.
52וַיִּשְׁמַע אַבְרָם כִּי נִשְׁבָּה אָחִיו וַיָּרֶק אֶת־חֲנִיכָיו יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ שְׁמֹנָה עָשָׂר וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת וַיִּרְדֹּף עַד־דָּֽןWhen Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he mustered his retainers, born into his household, numbering three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
53וַיֵּחָלֵק עֲלֵיהֶם לַיְלָה הוּא וַעֲבָדָיו וַיַּכֵּם וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵם עַד־חוֹבָה אֲשֶׁר מִשְּׂמֹאל לְדַמָּֽשֶׂקAt night, he and his servants deployed against them and defeated them; and he pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus.
54וַיָּשֶׁב אֵת כׇּל־הָרְכֻשׁ וְגַם אֶת־לוֹט אָחִיו וּרְכֻשׁוֹ הֵשִׁיב וְגַם אֶת־הַנָּשִׁים וְאֶת־הָעָֽםHe brought back all the possessions; he also brought back his kinsman Lot and his possessions, and the women and the rest of the people.
55וַיֵּצֵא מֶֽלֶךְ־סְדֹם לִקְרָאתוֹ אַחֲרֵי שׁוּבוֹ מֵֽהַכּוֹת אֶת־כְּדׇרְלָעֹמֶר וְאֶת־הַמְּלָכִים אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ אֶל־עֵמֶק שָׁוֵה הוּא עֵמֶק הַמֶּֽלֶךְWhen he returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh, which is the Valley of the King.
56וּמַלְכִּי־צֶדֶק מֶלֶךְ שָׁלֵם הוֹצִיא לֶחֶם וָיָיִן וְהוּא כֹהֵן לְאֵל עֶלְיֽוֹןAnd King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High.
57וַֽיְבָרְכֵהוּ וַיֹּאמַר בָּרוּךְ אַבְרָם לְאֵל עֶלְיוֹן קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָֽרֶץHe blessed him, saying, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
58וּבָרוּךְ אֵל עֶלְיוֹן אֲשֶׁר־מִגֵּן צָרֶיךָ בְּיָדֶךָ וַיִּתֶּן־לוֹ מַעֲשֵׂר מִכֹּֽלAnd blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your foes into your hand.”And [Abram] gave him a tenth of everything.
59וַיֹּאמֶר מֶֽלֶךְ־סְדֹם אֶל־אַבְרָם תֶּן־לִי הַנֶּפֶשׁ וְהָרְכֻשׁ קַֽח־לָֽךְThen the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the possessions for yourself.”
60וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם אֶל־מֶלֶךְ סְדֹם הֲרִמֹתִי יָדִי אֶל־יְהֹוָה אֵל עֶלְיוֹן קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָֽרֶץBut Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I swear to the ETERNAL, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth:
61אִם־מִחוּט וְעַד שְׂרֽוֹךְ־נַעַל וְאִם־אֶקַּח מִכׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־לָךְ וְלֹא תֹאמַר אֲנִי הֶעֱשַׁרְתִּי אֶת־אַבְרָֽםI will not take so much as a thread or a sandal strap of what is yours; you shall not say, ‘It is I who made Abram rich.’
62בִּלְעָדַי רַק אֲשֶׁר אָֽכְלוּ הַנְּעָרִים וְחֵלֶק הָֽאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר הָלְכוּ אִתִּי עָנֵר אֶשְׁכֹּל וּמַמְרֵא הֵם יִקְחוּ חֶלְקָֽםFor me, nothing but what my servants have used up; as for the share of those who went with me—Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre—let them take their share.”
63אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה הָיָה דְבַר־יְהֹוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם בַּֽמַּחֲזֶה לֵאמֹר אַל־תִּירָא אַבְרָם אָנֹכִי מָגֵן לָךְ שְׂכָרְךָ הַרְבֵּה מְאֹֽדSome time later, the word of GOD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”
64וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם אֲדֹנָי יֱהֹוִה מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִי וְאָנֹכִי הוֹלֵךְ עֲרִירִי וּבֶן־מֶשֶׁק בֵּיתִי הוּא דַּמֶּשֶׂק אֱלִיעֶֽזֶרBut Abram said, “O my Sovereign GOD, what can You give me, seeing that I shall die childless, and the one in charge of my household is Dammesek Eliezer!”
65וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם הֵן לִי לֹא נָתַתָּה זָרַע וְהִנֵּה בֶן־בֵּיתִי יוֹרֵשׁ אֹתִֽיAbram said further, “Since You have granted me no offspring, my steward will be my heir.”
66וְהִנֵּה דְבַר־יְהֹוָה אֵלָיו לֵאמֹר לֹא יִֽירָשְׁךָ זֶה כִּי־אִם אֲשֶׁר יֵצֵא מִמֵּעֶיךָ הוּא יִֽירָשֶֽׁךָThe word of GOD came to him in reply, “That one shall not be your heir; none but your very own issue shall be your heir.”
67וַיּוֹצֵא אֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה וַיֹּאמֶר הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים אִם־תּוּכַל לִסְפֹּר אֹתָם וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶֽךָ[Then in the vision, God] took him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them”—continuing, “So shall your offspring be.”
68וְהֶאֱמִן בַּֽיהֹוָה וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ לּוֹ צְדָקָֽהAnd he put his trust in GOD, who reckoned it to his merit.
69וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֲנִי יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאוּר כַּשְׂדִּים לָתֶת לְךָ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּThen [God] said to him, “I am GOD who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to assign this land to you as a possession.”
70וַיֹּאמַר אֲדֹנָי יֱהֹוִה בַּמָּה אֵדַע כִּי אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּהAnd he said, “O my Sovereign GOD, how shall I know that I am to possess it?”
71וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו קְחָה לִי עֶגְלָה מְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁת וְעֵז מְשֻׁלֶּשֶׁת וְאַיִל מְשֻׁלָּשׁ וְתֹר וְגוֹזָֽלCame the reply, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young bird.”
72וַיִּֽקַּֽח־לוֹ אֶת־כׇּל־אֵלֶּה וַיְבַתֵּר אֹתָם בַּתָּוֶךְ וַיִּתֵּן אִישׁ־בִּתְרוֹ לִקְרַאת רֵעֵהוּ וְאֶת־הַצִּפֹּר לֹא בָתָֽרHe brought all these and cut them in two, placing each half opposite the other; but he did not cut up the bird.
73וַיֵּרֶד הָעַיִט עַל־הַפְּגָרִים וַיַּשֵּׁב אֹתָם אַבְרָֽםBirds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
74וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לָבוֹא וְתַרְדֵּמָה נָפְלָה עַל־אַבְרָם וְהִנֵּה אֵימָה חֲשֵׁכָה גְדֹלָה נֹפֶלֶת עָלָֽיוAs the sun was about to set, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great dark dread descended upon him.
75וַיֹּאמֶר לְאַבְרָם יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע כִּי־גֵר יִהְיֶה זַרְעֲךָ בְּאֶרֶץ לֹא לָהֶם וַעֲבָדוּם וְעִנּוּ אֹתָם אַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָֽהAnd [God] said to Abram, “Know well that your offspring shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years;
76וְגַם אֶת־הַגּוֹי אֲשֶׁר יַעֲבֹדוּ דָּן אָנֹכִי וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן יֵצְאוּ בִּרְכֻשׁ גָּדֽוֹלbut I will execute judgment on the nation they shall serve, and in the end they shall go free with great wealth.
77וְאַתָּה תָּבוֹא אֶל־אֲבֹתֶיךָ בְּשָׁלוֹם תִּקָּבֵר בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֹבָֽהAs for you, You shall go to your ancestors in peace; You shall be buried at a ripe old age.
78וְדוֹר רְבִיעִי יָשׁוּבוּ הֵנָּה כִּי לֹא־שָׁלֵם עֲוֺן הָאֱמֹרִי עַד־הֵֽנָּהAnd they shall return here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”
79וַיְהִי הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ בָּאָה וַעֲלָטָה הָיָה וְהִנֵּה תַנּוּר עָשָׁן וְלַפִּיד אֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָבַר בֵּין הַגְּזָרִים הָאֵֽלֶּהWhen the sun set and it was very dark, there appeared a smoking oven, and a flaming torch that passed between those pieces.
80בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא כָּרַת יְהֹוָה אֶת־אַבְרָם בְּרִית לֵאמֹר לְזַרְעֲךָ נָתַתִּי אֶת־הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת מִנְּהַר מִצְרַיִם עַד־הַנָּהָר הַגָּדֹל נְהַר־פְּרָֽתOn that day GOD made a covenant with Abram: “To your offspring I assign this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates—
81אֶת־הַקֵּינִי וְאֶת־הַקְּנִזִּי וְאֵת הַקַּדְמֹנִֽיthe Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,
82וְאֶת־הַחִתִּי וְאֶת־הַפְּרִזִּי וְאֶת־הָרְפָאִֽיםthe Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim,
83וְאֶת־הָֽאֱמֹרִי וְאֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי וְאֶת־הַגִּרְגָּשִׁי וְאֶת־הַיְבוּסִֽיthe Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”
84וְשָׂרַי אֵשֶׁת אַבְרָם לֹא יָלְדָה לוֹ וְלָהּ שִׁפְחָה מִצְרִית וּשְׁמָהּ הָגָֽרSarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar.
85וַתֹּאמֶר שָׂרַי אֶל־אַבְרָם הִנֵּה־נָא עֲצָרַנִי יְהֹוָה מִלֶּדֶת בֹּא־נָא אֶל־שִׁפְחָתִי אוּלַי אִבָּנֶה מִמֶּנָּה וַיִּשְׁמַע אַבְרָם לְקוֹל שָׂרָֽיAnd Sarai said to Abram, “Look, GOD has kept me from bearing. Consort with my maid; perhaps I shall have a child through her.” And Abram heeded Sarai’s request.
86וַתִּקַּח שָׂרַי אֵֽשֶׁת־אַבְרָם אֶת־הָגָר הַמִּצְרִית שִׁפְחָתָהּ מִקֵּץ עֶשֶׂר שָׁנִים לְשֶׁבֶת אַבְרָם בְּאֶרֶץ כְּנָעַן וַתִּתֵּן אֹתָהּ לְאַבְרָם אִישָׁהּ לוֹ לְאִשָּֽׁהSo Sarai, Abram’s wife, took her maid, Hagar the Egyptian—after Abram had dwelt in the land of Canaan ten years—and gave her to her husband Abram as concubine.
87וַיָּבֹא אֶל־הָגָר וַתַּהַר וַתֵּרֶא כִּי הָרָתָה וַתֵּקַל גְּבִרְתָּהּ בְּעֵינֶֽיהָHe cohabited with Hagar and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was lowered in her esteem.
88וַתֹּאמֶר שָׂרַי אֶל־אַבְרָם חֲמָסִי עָלֶיךָ אָנֹכִי נָתַתִּי שִׁפְחָתִי בְּחֵיקֶךָ וַתֵּרֶא כִּי הָרָתָה וָאֵקַל בְּעֵינֶיהָ יִשְׁפֹּט יְהֹוָה בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶֽיׄךָAnd Sarai said to Abram, “The wrong done me is your fault! I myself put my maid in your bosom; now that she sees that she is pregnant, I am lowered in her esteem. GOD decide between you and me!”
89וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָם אֶל־שָׂרַי הִנֵּה שִׁפְחָתֵךְ בְּיָדֵךְ עֲשִׂי־לָהּ הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינָיִךְ וַתְּעַנֶּהָ שָׂרַי וַתִּבְרַח מִפָּנֶֽיהָAbram said to Sarai, “Your maid is in your hands. Deal with her as you think right.” Then Sarai treated her harshly, and she ran away from her.
90וַֽיִּמְצָאָהּ מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה עַל־עֵין הַמַּיִם בַּמִּדְבָּר עַל־הָעַיִן בְּדֶרֶךְ שֽׁוּרAn angel of GOD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the road to Shur,
91וַיֹּאמַר הָגָר שִׁפְחַת שָׂרַי אֵֽי־מִזֶּה בָאת וְאָנָה תֵלֵכִי וַתֹּאמֶר מִפְּנֵי שָׂרַי גְּבִרְתִּי אָנֹכִי בֹּרַֽחַתand said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” And she said, “I am running away from my mistress Sarai.”
92וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה שׁוּבִי אֶל־גְּבִרְתֵּךְ וְהִתְעַנִּי תַּחַת יָדֶֽיהָAnd the angel of GOD said to her, “Go back to your mistress, and submit to her harsh treatment.”
93וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה הַרְבָּה אַרְבֶּה אֶת־זַרְעֵךְ וְלֹא יִסָּפֵר מֵרֹֽבAnd the angel of GOD said to her, “I will greatly increase your offspring, And they shall be too many to count.”
94וַיֹּאמֶר לָהּ מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה הִנָּךְ הָרָה וְיֹלַדְתְּ בֵּן וְקָרָאת שְׁמוֹ יִשְׁמָעֵאל כִּֽי־שָׁמַע יְהֹוָה אֶל־עׇנְיֵֽךְThe angel of GOD said to her further, “Behold, you are pregnant And shall bear a son; You shall call him Ishmael, For GOD has paid heed to your suffering.
95וְהוּא יִהְיֶה פֶּרֶא אָדָם יָדוֹ בַכֹּל וְיַד כֹּל בּוֹ וְעַל־פְּנֵי כׇל־אֶחָיו יִשְׁכֹּֽןHe shall be a wild ass of a person; His hand against everyone, And everyone’s hand against him; He shall dwell alongside all his kin.”
96וַתִּקְרָא שֵׁם־יְהֹוָה הַדֹּבֵר אֵלֶיהָ אַתָּה אֵל רֳאִי כִּי אָֽמְרָה הֲגַם הֲלֹם רָאִיתִי אַחֲרֵי רֹאִֽיAnd she called GOD who spoke to her, “You Are El-roi,” by which she meant, “Have I not gone on seeing after my being seen!”
97עַל־כֵּן קָרָא לַבְּאֵר בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי הִנֵּה בֵין־קָדֵשׁ וּבֵין בָּֽרֶדTherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it is between Kadesh and Bered.—
98וַתֵּלֶד הָגָר לְאַבְרָם בֵּן וַיִּקְרָא אַבְרָם שֶׁם־בְּנוֹ אֲשֶׁר־יָלְדָה הָגָר יִשְׁמָעֵֽאלHagar bore a son to Abram, and Abram gave the son that Hagar bore him the name Ishmael.
99וְאַבְרָם בֶּן־שְׁמֹנִים שָׁנָה וְשֵׁשׁ שָׁנִים בְּלֶֽדֶת־הָגָר אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל לְאַבְרָֽםAbram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
100וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה וְתֵשַׁע שָׁנִים וַיֵּרָא יְהֹוָה אֶל־אַבְרָם וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אֲנִי־אֵל שַׁדַּי הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִֽיםWhen Abram was ninety-nine years old, GOD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Walk in My ways and be blameless.
101וְאֶתְּנָה בְרִיתִי בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וְאַרְבֶּה אוֹתְךָ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹֽדI will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will make you exceedingly numerous.”
102וַיִּפֹּל אַבְרָם עַל־פָּנָיו וַיְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִים לֵאמֹֽרAbram threw himself on his face; and God spoke to him further,
103אֲנִי הִנֵּה בְרִיתִי אִתָּךְ וְהָיִיתָ לְאַב הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִֽם“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
104וְלֹא־יִקָּרֵא עוֹד אֶת־שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָם וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם כִּי אַב־הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם נְתַתִּֽיךָAnd you shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I make you the father of a multitude of nations.
105וְהִפְרֵתִי אֹֽתְךָ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד וּנְתַתִּיךָ לְגוֹיִם וּמְלָכִים מִמְּךָ יֵצֵֽאוּI will make you exceedingly fertile, and make nations of you; and kings shall come forth from you.
106וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ לְדֹרֹתָם לִבְרִית עוֹלָם לִהְיוֹת לְךָ לֵֽאלֹהִים וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶֽיךָI will maintain My covenant between Me and you, and your offspring to come, as an everlasting covenant throughout the ages, to be God to you and to your offspring to come.
107וְנָתַתִּי לְךָ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ אֵת אֶרֶץ מְגֻרֶיךָ אֵת כׇּל־אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן לַאֲחֻזַּת עוֹלָם וְהָיִיתִי לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִֽיםI assign the land you sojourn in to you and your offspring to come, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting holding. I will be their God.”
108וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־אַבְרָהָם וְאַתָּה אֶת־בְּרִיתִי תִשְׁמֹר אַתָּה וְזַרְעֲךָ אַֽחֲרֶיךָ לְדֹרֹתָֽםGod further said to Abraham, “As for you, you and your offspring to come throughout the ages shall keep My covenant.
109זֹאת בְּרִיתִי אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁמְרוּ בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם וּבֵין זַרְעֲךָ אַחֲרֶיךָ הִמּוֹל לָכֶם כׇּל־זָכָֽרSuch shall be the covenant between Me and you and your offspring to follow that you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised.
110וּנְמַלְתֶּם אֵת בְּשַׂר עׇרְלַתְכֶם וְהָיָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶֽםYou shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you.
111וּבֶן־שְׁמֹנַת יָמִים יִמּוֹל לָכֶם כׇּל־זָכָר לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם יְלִיד בָּיִת וּמִקְנַת־כֶּסֶף מִכֹּל בֶּן־נֵכָר אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ הֽוּאAnd throughout the generations, every male among you shall be circumcised at the age of eight days. As for the homeborn slave and the one bought from an outsider who is not of your offspring,
112הִמּוֹל יִמּוֹל יְלִיד בֵּֽיתְךָ וּמִקְנַת כַּסְפֶּךָ וְהָיְתָה בְרִיתִי בִּבְשַׂרְכֶם לִבְרִית עוֹלָֽםthey must be circumcised, homeborn and purchased alike. Thus shall My covenant be marked in your flesh as an everlasting pact.
113וְעָרֵל זָכָר אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יִמּוֹל אֶת־בְּשַׂר עׇרְלָתוֹ וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעַמֶּיהָ אֶת־בְּרִיתִי הֵפַֽרAnd if any male who is uncircumcised fails to circumcise the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from kin; he has broken My covenant.”
114וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֶל־אַבְרָהָם שָׂרַי אִשְׁתְּךָ לֹא־תִקְרָא אֶת־שְׁמָהּ שָׂרָי כִּי שָׂרָה שְׁמָֽהּAnd God said to Abraham, “As for your wife Sarai, you shall not call her Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah.
115וּבֵרַכְתִּי אֹתָהּ וְגַם נָתַתִּי מִמֶּנָּה לְךָ בֵּן וּבֵֽרַכְתִּיהָ וְהָֽיְתָה לְגוֹיִם מַלְכֵי עַמִּים מִמֶּנָּה יִהְיֽוּI will bless her; indeed, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she shall give rise to nations; rulers of peoples shall issue from her.”
116וַיִּפֹּל אַבְרָהָם עַל־פָּנָיו וַיִּצְחָק וַיֹּאמֶר בְּלִבּוֹ הַלְּבֶן מֵאָֽה־שָׁנָה יִוָּלֵד וְאִם־שָׂרָה הֲבַת־תִּשְׁעִים שָׁנָה תֵּלֵֽדAbraham threw himself on his face and laughed, as he said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man a hundred years old, or can Sarah bear a child at ninety?”
117וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְרָהָם אֶל־הָֽאֱלֹהִים לוּ יִשְׁמָעֵאל יִחְיֶה לְפָנֶֽיךָAnd Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live by Your favor!”
118וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים אֲבָל שָׂרָה אִשְׁתְּךָ יֹלֶדֶת לְךָ בֵּן וְקָרָאתָ אֶת־שְׁמוֹ יִצְחָק וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת־בְּרִיתִי אִתּוֹ לִבְרִית עוֹלָם לְזַרְעוֹ אַחֲרָֽיוGod said, “Nevertheless, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac; and I will maintain My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring to come.
119וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵאל שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ הִנֵּה בֵּרַכְתִּי אֹתוֹ וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֹתוֹ וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֹתוֹ בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂר נְשִׂיאִם יוֹלִיד וּנְתַתִּיו לְגוֹי גָּדֽוֹלAs for Ishmael, I have heeded you. I hereby bless him. I will make him fertile and exceedingly numerous. He shall be the father of twelve chieftains, and I will make of him a great nation.
120וְאֶת־בְּרִיתִי אָקִים אֶת־יִצְחָק אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵד לְךָ שָׂרָה לַמּוֹעֵד הַזֶּה בַּשָּׁנָה הָאַחֶֽרֶתBut My covenant I will maintain with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this season next year.”
121וַיְכַל לְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ וַיַּעַל אֱלֹהִים מֵעַל אַבְרָהָֽםDone speaking with him, God was gone from Abraham.
122וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָהָם אֶת־יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ וְאֵת כׇּל־יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ וְאֵת כׇּל־מִקְנַת כַּסְפּוֹ כׇּל־זָכָר בְּאַנְשֵׁי בֵּית אַבְרָהָם וַיָּמׇל אֶת־בְּשַׂר עׇרְלָתָם בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִֽיםThen Abraham took his son Ishmael, and all his homeborn slaves and all those he had bought, every male in Abraham’s household, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins on that very day, as God had spoken to him.
123וְאַבְרָהָם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִים וָתֵשַׁע שָׁנָה בְּהִמֹּלוֹ בְּשַׂר עׇרְלָתֽוֹAbraham was ninety-nine years old when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin,
124וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ בֶּן־שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה בְּהִמֹּלוֹ אֵת בְּשַׂר עׇרְלָתֽוֹand his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
125בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה נִמּוֹל אַבְרָהָם וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנֽוֹThus Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on that very day;
126וְכׇל־אַנְשֵׁי בֵיתוֹ יְלִיד בָּיִת וּמִקְנַת־כֶּסֶף מֵאֵת בֶּן־נֵכָר נִמֹּלוּ אִתּֽוֹand all his household, his homeborn slaves and those that had been bought from outsiders, were circumcised with him.