Why God Said I Will Make You, Not I Will Set You, to Abraham

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Lech Lecha 4:9

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation of "I will make you wise and instruct you" (Psalms 32:8): What is the meaning of "and instruct you"? "To the land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1). He said to Abraham: You are not losing out, for "I will make you into a great nation" (Genesis 12:2). It is not written here "and I will set you," but rather "and I will make you," for I am creating you a new creature, as it is said, "And God made the firmament" (Genesis 1:7), and "And God made the two luminaries" (Genesis 1:16). Rabbi Pinhas the Priest bar Hama said: When did the Holy One, blessed be He, make Abraham into a great nation? When Israel went out from Egypt and came to Sinai and received the Torah, and Moses looked upon them and said: Behold, they are made just as the Holy One, blessed be He, promised to the elder, as it is said, "And what great nation is there" (Deuteronomy 4:8).

Themes

AbrahamDivine Promise

Biblical References

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Pesikta RabbatiThe Lord Remembered Sarah and the Keys of the WombSarah had spent decades hearing herself called barren. Rulers mocked her; even she had once told herself plainly, the Lord has held me back from bearing. And thYalkut Shimoni on TorahGod Spoke to Abraham Only After Lot Departed From HimNotice the timing. The verse pointedly says God spoke to Abraham "after Lot had separated from him" (Genesis 13:14). The Sages read that delay as meaningful. SoYalkut Shimoni on TorahOg Mocks Isaac at the Feast and Is Doomed by His LineWhen Abraham made his great feast, the Sages say the celebration drew in the powers of the world, including the giant Og and the kings of the earth. These were Midrash AggadahAbraham's Ten Trials and the Command Lech LechaWhen the Holy One commanded Abram, "Lech lecha, go forth," the sages heard more than a travel order. The letters of lech lecha add up to one hundred: a hidden pMidrash AggadahWhy Abraham Laughed and Was Only Ten Years Older Than SarahWhen the Holy One promised Abraham a son, the patriarch fell upon his face and laughed. Do not mistake that laughter for doubt. In his heart he knew that this wMidrash Tanchuma Buber, Lech LechaAbraham's Blessing Comes Before God's in the AmidahWhen the Holy One promised Abraham, "I will make you into a great nation," the sages asked: where does the greatness of his children lie? In the Torah, they ans