Genesis 12:1

Now the lord said Lit. "and Jehovah said." The narrative opens with characteristic simplicity, and with the abruptness possibly indicating its selection from a group of similar traditions.

the lord said Here, as elsewhere, we must not suppose that "the word of Jehovah" was accompanied either by any external manifestation, or by an audible sound. God in old times "hath spoken unto the fathers" even as He speaks now to those who hear His voice, "in divers manners" (Hebrews 1:1).

out of thy country … kindred … father's house See Genesis 24:7. The threefold tie of land, people, and home, is to be severed. Abram is to lay the foundations of the Chosen People independently of any obligation or favour due to local environment or personal association. He is to rely only on his God. Thus the first trial of the patriarch's faith requires him, (a) to renounce the certainties of the past: (b) to face the uncertainties of the future: (c) to look for and to follow the direction of Jehovah's will. Cf. Hebrews 11:8, "by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out … and he went out, not knowing whither he went."

the land that I will shew thee The country is not designated by name: an additional test of faith.