The Covenants

Genesischapter 15

21 verses · ASV

This chapter sends 278 cross-references outward and receives 329 — heaviest partner: Genesis.

Chapter summary

The covenant cut. Abram questions his childlessness; the LORD takes him out under the stars and promises a seed as countless. ‘He believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness’ — Paul's proof-text in Romans 4. The covenant is then sealed with a sacrifice: animals divided, a deep sleep falling on Abram, a smoking furnace and burning lamp passing between the pieces. The land is specified from the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates, after four hundred years in affliction. The covenant is unilateral — God alone passes through. Calvin: the smoking furnace and burning lamp are God himself, pledging his own life.

Drafted from Matthew Henry, Calvin, Gill, Clarke, JFB, and Barnes.

Context

Law · Moses — see the Genesis overview for the book's full setting.

1 The Covenants2–4 Names of God5–21 Mazzaroth

1 After these things the word of Jehovah came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2 And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?

3 And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

4 And, behold, the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

6 And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

7 And he said unto him, I am Jehovah that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

8 And he said, O Lord Jehovah, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?