Bereshis 15:8

8 And he said, Adonoi Hashem, how can I have da’as that I will be its yoresh?

Bereshis 15:8 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 15:8

And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall
inherit it?
] Not as questioning or doubting whether he should or not; but this he asked for the further confirmation of his faith in the promise, and for the sake of his posterity, that they might more easily and strongly believe that they should inherit the land given and promised to them; nor is it culpable to ask a sign of God with such a view; good men have done it, as Gideon, ( Judges 6:36-40 ) , and Hezekiah, ( 2 Kings 20:8-11 ) , without being blamed for it; yea, Ahaz is blamed for not asking one, ( Isaiah 7:10-13 ) .

Bereshis 15:8 In-Context

6 And he believed in Hashem; and He credited [emunah (faith)] to him as tzedakah (righteousness).

7 And He said unto him, I am Hashem Who brought thee out of Ur Kasdim, to give thee ha’aretz hazot to be the yoresh of it.

8 And he said, Adonoi Hashem, how can I have da’as that I will be its yoresh?

9 And He said unto him, Bring Me a heifer meshuleshet, and a she goat meshuleshet, and a ram meshulash, and a dove, and a pigeon.

10 And he brought unto Him all these, and divided them in two, and laid each half one opposite another; but the birds divided he not.