Study Desk

But the LORD punished Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.

But Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.

But the men of Sodom were extremely wicked and sinful against the LORD [unashamed in their open sin before Him].

Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer [the most powerful king in the invading confederacy], but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar (bitumen) pits; and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, they fell into them. But the remainder [of the kings] who survived fled to the hill country.

But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have raised my hand and sworn an oath to the LORD God Most High, the Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth,

Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man [Eliezer] will not be your heir but he who shall come from your own body shall be your heir."

But Abram said, "Lord GOD, by what [proof] will I know that I will inherit it?"

So Abram brought all these to Him and cut them down the middle, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds.

The birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.

"But on that nation whom your descendants will serve I will bring judgment, and afterward they will come out [of that land] with great possessions.

But Abram said to Sarai, "Look, your maid is entirely in your hands and subject to your authority; do as you please with her." So Sarai treated her harshly and humiliated her, and Hagar fled from her.

But the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, on the road to [Egypt by way of] Shur.

"No longer shall your name be Abram (exalted father), But your name shall be Abraham (father of a multitude); For I will make you the father of many nations.

Then God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai (my princess), but her name will be Sarah (Princess).

But God said, "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall name him Isaac (laughter); and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him.

"But My covenant [My promise, My solemn pledge], I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year."

Then Sarah denied it, saying, "I did not laugh"; because she was afraid. And He (the LORD) said, "No, but you did laugh."

Now the [two] men (angelic beings) turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.

Abraham answered, "Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord.