Genesis 15:1-4

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."

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.

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

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"