Definition: And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my fatherâs house, that I said unto her, This [is] thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He [is] my brother.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 20:13. It's a really beautiful and profound passage about God’s relationship with Adam and his initial experience in the world. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is showing Adam that he appreciates his kindness and that he wants to be treated with respect and honor. He’s essentially saying, “I notice how you’ve been kind to me – I’ve wandered away from my father’s house.” Then, he asks for your continued kindness as they travel together. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father’s house…” : This is a bit tricky. “Wander” doesn't necessarily mean he left completely. It suggests he was exploring, looking around, perhaps feeling restless or wanting to see more of the world. "God causing me to wander" implies that God wasn’t actively controlling his every move but rather allowing him to experience life. “that I said unto her, This [is] thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me…” : This is a very important part. “This” refers to you , Adam. He's saying, "I notice you’ve been kind to me.” The key here is the word “thy” – it’s a plural pronoun, and God uses it to show that he’s acknowledging your kindness as one person. “at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He [is] my brother.” : This is the core of the message. God is saying: “I want you to continue being kind and respectful to me. When we travel together, I want you to always acknowledge and praise your kindness – it’s important that you remember this.” The word "He" is a pronoun referring back to God. The phrase “My brother” means that God wants to be seen as an equal partner in the relationship with Adam. Overall Meaning & Significance: This verse is incredibly significant because: It establishes a unique bond: It’s a foundational moment of connection between God and humanity, setting the stage for the creation of humankind. Highlights God's love and care: It shows that God doesn’t just create and then simply leave; He actively appreciates and values Adam's kindness. Promotes responsibility: It encourages Adam to continue being kind – a key element of establishing a relationship with God. In short, this verse is about acknowledging, appreciating, and encouraging good behavior from Adam as they embark on their journey together. --- Would you like me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Connect it to other biblical stories or themes?