And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.

GENESIS 12:8KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 12:8 (KJV)

What does Genesis 12:8 mean?

Genesis 12:8 describes Abram moving to a mountain area east of Bethel, setting up his tent between Bethel and Hai, building an altar to the LORD, and calling on the LORD’s name. This verse shows Abram’s pattern of worship and his recognition of God as he journeys through the land.

Abram, later known as Abraham, is traveling through Canaan in obedience to God’s call. In this verse, he stops between two places—Bethel to the west and Hai (also called Ai) to the east—where he sets up camp and builds an altar. The act of calling on the LORD’s name highlights Abram’s practice of worship and dependence on God as he settles in a new land.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 12:8

  • "Altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach): This word refers to a structure for offering sacrifices. Abram’s building of an altar shows a deliberate act of worship and dedication to the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH).
  • "Called" (וַיִּקְרָא, vayikra): The Hebrew word means to call out, proclaim, or invoke. Here, it suggests Abram was publicly acknowledging or praying to God, not just a private act.
  • "Name" (שֵׁם, shem): In Hebrew thought, calling on someone’s name often means recognizing their character or authority. Abram’s action is more than saying God’s name; it is an act of honoring and seeking God’s presence.

Why Genesis 12:8 matters

  • Genesis 12:8 shows that Abram’s journey was not just physical but spiritual, as he consistently paused to worship and seek God’s guidance.
  • The verse highlights the importance of worship in new and unfamiliar places, showing Abram’s trust in God wherever he went.
  • By mentioning specific locations, Genesis 12:8 connects Abram’s story to real geography, grounding the narrative in the land God promised to his descendants.

Where else these words appear

“removed” Hebrew H6275 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
  • Job 14:18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
  • Job 32:15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

“Hai” Hebrew H5857 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Joshua 8:12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
  • Joshua 8:28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

“Bethel” Hebrew H1008 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 13:3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
  • Judges 1:23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel.(Now the name of the city before was Luz.)
  • 2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.

“east” Hebrew H6924 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Joshua 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
  • Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.