15.1-21

Genesis

"After these things (that happened in chapter 14), the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision" (v1). But in response, Abram expressed his concerns about being childless. Abram’s heir was currently a trusted servant, Eliezer of Damascus (v2), rather than his own offspring (v3). God responds by bringing Abram outside and showing him the stars, assuring him that his descendants will be just as numerous (v5). At this moment, Abram believes in Yahweh, and He counts it to him as righteousness (v6). The Hebrew word for "counted" is חָשַׁב (chashab), which carries the concept of a thorough examination of an account. It emphasizes that righteousness is not earned but rather the gift of God's grace. God then makes a covenant with Abram, revealing His plan to give the land of Canaan to his descendants (vv7,13-21). To confirm this covenant, God instructs Abram to bring specific animals and birds and divide the animals in half (vv9-10). In ancient Near Eastern customs, this "cutting of the covenant" symbolized a serious commitment, with both parties passing between the halved animals, agreeing that they would suffer the consequences of breaking it. The Hebrew word for covenant is בְּרִית (berîyth), which comes from a root that means to cut, בָּתַר (bather). The cutting, in this context, signified a solemn and binding agreement. Here (v17), only God passes through the divided pieces, symbolizing that He alone would fulfill His promises and bear the consequences if they were not fulfilled. This act underscores God's faithfulness and commitment to His chosen people, assuring Abram that despite his doubts, God's promise will be fulfilled.

CHAPTER 15

Yahweh Cuts a Covenant with Abram

1 After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying,
“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”
2 And Abram said, “O Lord Yahweh, what will You give me, as I go on being childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
3 And Abram said, “Since You have given no seed to me, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”
4 Then behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, “This one will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.”
5 And He brought him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your seed be.”
6 Then he believed in Yahweh; and He counted it to him as righteousness.
7 And He said to him, “I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.”
8 And he said, “O Lord Yahweh, how may I know that I will possess it?”
9 So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”
10 Then he brought all these to Him and split them into parts down the middle and laid each part opposite the other; but he did not split apart the birds.
11 Then the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
12 Now it happened that when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.
13 Then God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your seed will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.
14 “But I will also judge the nation to whom they are enslaved, and afterward they will come out with many possessions.
15 “As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age.
16 “Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”
17 Now it happened that the sun had set, and it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.
18 On that day Yahweh cut a covenant with Abram, saying,
“To your seed I have given this land,
From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates:
19 the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite
20 and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim
21 and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.”