Genesis 15:4-14

4 Behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir, but he who will come forth out of your own body will be your heir."

5 The LORD brought him outside, and said, "Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." He said to Avram, "So shall your seed be."

6 He believed in the LORD; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

7 He said to him, "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Kasdim, to give you this land to inherit it."

8 He said, "Lord GOD, whereby will I know that I will inherit it?"

9 He said to him, "Take me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon."

10 He took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half opposite the other; but he didn't divide the birds.

11 The birds of prey came down on the carcasses, and Avram drove them away.

12 When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Avram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him.

13 He said to Avram, "Know for sure that your seed will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years.

14 I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great substance.

Genesis 15:4-14 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.