Chapter 12 is the beginning of Genesis's patriarchal history, telling the story of the earliest ancestors of Israel: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob. God calls Abram to resume his father's journey to Canaan. He promised him that he would make him a great nation, bless those who blessed him, and curse those who cursed him. Abram built altars at Shechem, and Bethel and his wife Sarai are taken to Pharoah's house in Egypt. As a result, God plagues Egypt, and when Pharoah finds out, he rebukes Abram.