Guiding Questions: Genesis 12

This is part of the Tanakh Yomi Project.

  1. Does text indicate why or where or how or when God spoke to Abram? (Does it matter?)
  2. Did the previous narrative prepare the reader (or for that matter, Abram) for this mandate?
  3. In Noah’s case, text speaks of his “finding favor”, being righteous – is there any description of Abram’s character/conduct?
  4. Is the land to which Abram is to go specified?
  5. What or who are the “persons” they acquired in Haran? (Genesis 12:5)
  6. To which land does Abram journey?
  7. If the Canaanites were then in the land, when was this text written? (Genesis 12:6)
  8. In Genesis 12:7, is there any detail of how “God appeared to him”?
  9. What is meant (at Beth El) by the phrase “he invoked God by name”?
  10. Why does Abram go to Egypt, rather than return to Haran, when there is a famine? (Genesis 12:10)
  11. As to the narrative in Genesis 12:11–15, what was the alternative? Was there an alternative?
  12. In Genesis 12:17–20, what role is described for Divinity and with what outcome?
  13. Does text value (condemn, praise, or otherwise comment) on Abram’s action?

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  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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Perek Yomi materials originally produced by the USCJ and Dr. Morton K. Siegel.
We are grateful to be able to share this material.

Author

  • Exploring Judaism

    Exploring Judaism is the digital home for Conservative/Masorti Judaism, embracing the beauty and complexity of Judaism, and our personal search for meaning, learning, and connecting. Our goal is to create content based on three core framing: Meaning-Making (Why?), Practical Living (How?), and Explainers (What?).

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