Genesis 15:1-6

Abram Promised a Son

1 After these things ¹the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "²Do not fear, Abram, I am ³a shield to you; Your ⁴reward shall be very great."

2 Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir * of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"

3 And Abram said, "Since You have given no offspring to me, one ⁵born in my house is my heir."

4 Then behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir; ⁶but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir."

5 And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and ⁷count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "⁸So shall your descendants be."

6 ⁹Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:1-6 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.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 15:4; Genesis 46:2; 1 Samuel 15:10
• 2. Genesis 21:17; Genesis 26:24; Isaiah 41:10
• 3. Deuteronomy 33:29
• 4. Numbers 18:20; Psalms 58:11
• 5. Genesis 14:14
• 6. Galatians 4:28
• 7. Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4; Deuteronomy 1:10
• 8. Exodus 32:13; Romans 4:18; Hebrews 11:12
• 9. Rom 4:3, 20-22; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "Your very great reward"
• [b]. Heb "YHWH," usually rendered LORD
• [c]. Lit "go"
• [d]. Lit "son of acquisition"
• [e]. Lit "Behold"
• [f]. Lit "seed"
• [g]. Lit "and behold, a son of"
• [h]. Lit "inward parts"
• [i]. Lit "seed"