Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 7. The Lord appeared] In what way this appearance was made we know not; it was probably by the great angel of the covenant, Jesus the Christ. The appearance, whatsoever it was, perfectly satisfied Abram, and proved itself to be supernatural and Divine. It is worthy of remark that Abram is the first man to whom God is said to have shown himself or appeared: 1. In Ur of the Chaldees, Acts vii. 2; and 2. At the oak of Moreh, as in this verse. As hrwm Moreh signifies a teacher, probably this was called the oak of Moreh or the teacher, because God manifested himself here, and instructed Abram concerning the future possession of that land by his posterity, and the dispensation of the mercy of God to all the families of the earth through the promised Messiah. See on chap. xv. 7.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-9 - Abram found the country peopled by Canaanites, who were bad neighbours He journeyed, going on still. Sometimes it is the lot of good men to be unsettled, and often to remove into various states. Believers must loo on themselves as strangers and sojourners in this world, Heb 11:8, 13 14. But observe how much comfort Abram had in God. When he could have little satisfaction in converse with the Canaanites whom he foun there, he had abundance of pleasure in communion with that God, wh brought him thither, and did not leave him. Communion with God is kep up by the word and by prayer. God reveals himself and his favours to his people by degrees; before, he had promised to show Abram this land now, to give it to him: as grace is growing, so is comfort. It shoul seem, Abram understood it also as a grant of a better land, of whic this was a type; for he looked for a heavenly country, Heb 11:16. A soon as Abram was got to Canaan, though he was but a stranger an sojourner there, yet he set up, and kept up, the worship of God in his family. He not only minded the ceremonial part of religion, the offering of sacrifice; but he made conscience of seeking his God, an calling on his name; that spiritual sacrifice with which God is wel pleased. He preached concerning the name of the Lord; he taught his family and neighbours the knowledge of the true God, and his holy religion. The way of family worship is a good old way, no new thing but the ancient usage of the saints. Abram was rich, and had a numerou family, was now unsettled, and in the midst of enemies; yet, whereve he pitched his tent, he built an altar: wherever we go, let us not fai to take our religion along with us.
Original Hebrew וירא7200 יהוה3068 אל413 אברם87 ויאמר559 לזרעך2233 אתן5414 את853 הארץ776 הזאת2063 ויבן1129 שׁם8033 מזבח4196 ליהוה3068 הנראה7200 אליו׃413
