Genesis 15:1-6

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}."

5 And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward the heavens and count the stars if you are able to count them." And he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

6 And he believed in Yahweh, 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.

Footnotes

• [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"