Genesis 15:1-4

Yahweh’s Covenant with Abram

1 After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying: "Do not be afraid, Abram; I [am] your shield, [and] your reward [shall be] very great."
2 Then Abram said, "O Yahweh, my Lord, what will you give me? {I continue to be} childless, and {my heir} is Eliezer of Damascus."
3 And Abram said, "Look, you have not given me a descendant, and here, {a member of my household} [is] {my heir}."
4 And behold, the word of Yahweh [came] to him saying, "This [person] will not {be your heir}, but {your own son will be your heir}."

Genesis 15:1-4 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 15

This chapter informs us of a gracious appearance of God to Abram, and of a kind promise made unto him, Ge 15:1; of Abram's request for an heir, Ge 15:2,3; of an answer to it, that he should have one, and even a numberless seed, Ge 15:4,5; which he gave credit to, Ge 15:6; upon which he has a fresh promise of the land of Canaan, Ge 15:7; of his inheriting of which he desires a sign, and this was given him, Ge 15:8-12; and at the same time it was predicted to him how long his posterity should be afflicted in a land not theirs, and afterwards come out with great substance, Ge 15:13-16; and the grant of the land of Canaan to his seed is renewed, Ge 15:17-21.

Footnotes 8

  • [a]. Literally "was"
  • [b]. Or "And"
  • [c]. Literally "I am going"
  • [d]. Literally "the son of the inheritance of my house"
  • [e]. Literally "a son of my house"
  • [f]. Literally "inheriting me"
  • [g]. Literally "inherit you"
  • [h]. Literally "he who goes out from your body, he will inherit you"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.