Abraham’s journey

Leaving home. Following a promise.

All journeys

Illustrated hills of Canaan between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan valley.

MEDITERRANEAN
SEA CANAAN NEGEV Sea of
Galilee Jordan River Dead Sea Ai Hebron Beersheba

03 Shechem 04 Bethel

Illustrative routeAncient locations · approximate

CHAPTER 03 OF 06

Artist’s reconstruction

At Shechem

Canaan · A promise and an altar

At Shechem, Abram reaches the tree of Moreh. God promises the land to his descendants, and Abram builds an altar. His journey continues south toward Bethel.

Genesis 12:6–9

Abraham is called Abram at this point in the story.

You might be wondering...

Why is Abraham called Abram?

In Genesis 11–13 his name is Abram. Later, in Genesis 17:5, God gives him the name Abraham in connection with the promise that he will become the father of many nations.

What did God promise here?

At Shechem, God promises this land to Abram’s descendants (Genesis 12:7). Abram responds by building an altar to the Lord who appeared to him.