Abram’s journey through the land of Canaan takes a significant turn as he transitions from a life of constant wandering to permanent settlement, firmly establishing his physical and spiritual presence in the Promised Land. The primary approach among commentators is that Abram moved his temporary tents from place to place, wandering through the land and gradually approaching his final destination [ספורנו, רד״ק, העמק דבר, ביאור יש״ר, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Conversely, another perspective suggests that his actions primarily involved the dismantling of his previous camp, completely uprooting himself from his first location [חזקוני]. Ultimately, he arrives and establishes a permanent residence. Until this point, Abram had intentionally avoided settling down so he would not have to live directly among the Canaanites. However, after God commanded him to walk the length and breadth of the land, Abram understood this as divine permission to put down roots, leading him to establish his home in Hebron [מלבי״ם, קונטרס חיבה יתירה].
He settles specifically in the plains of Mamre. Commentators agree unanimously that Mamre is not the name of a location, but rather the name of a person [רש״י, רד״ק, גור אריה, שפתי חכמים, מזרחי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The area, whether a flat plain or a grove of trees, was simply named after its owner, Mamre, who was the brother of Eshkol and Aner. This location sits on the border of Hebron and is a completely different area from Elon Moreh, a place Abram had visited earlier in his travels [רד״ק].
Upon arriving, Abram builds an altar to God. Commentators offer several reasons for this act. It serves as an expression of deep gratitude to God for the prophecies and promises he had just received [ביאור יש״ר], as well as a tool for spreading faith and calling others to serve God [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Others view the construction of the altar as a practical, legal act of taking possession of the land, a step that would later help Abram when he needed to purchase a burial plot in Hebron [שפתי כהן]. Looking ahead, some connect the altar to upcoming events. Because a major war between regional kings occurs shortly after this, the altar hints at the spiritual necessity of offering a sacrifice before going into battle [קיצור בעל הטורים, פענח רזא].
On a deeper level, this is the third altar Abram builds, and it represents the absolute highest degree of connection between a person and the Creator. While his previous altars were constructed to express gratitude for physical needs or out of a desire to repent, this specific altar is built solely for the glory of God. It symbolizes a state of complete self-nullification, rising entirely above the ego, and achieving a total merging with God, free from any hidden personal or spiritual motives [חומש קה״ת].