Genesis 15

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 15:20

Hittites. First occurance. See Exodus 32:2 .Joshua 3:10 , &c. Rephaim. Another link in the chain from Genesis 6:4 . Compare Genesis 12:6 ; Genesis 13:7 ; Genesis 14:5 ; and see App-23 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15

This marvelous account of the confirmation of the heavenly promise to Abram is one of great charm and beauty; and even the passing of millenniums of time has not dimmed the luster of it, for, "It carries with it a feeling of awe and mystery which, thanks to the genius of the narrator, can still grip the reader."[1] There were two elements in the divine promise to Abram:the creation of the first Israel, including the promise of settling them in Canaan and making of them a mighty nation, and the... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:1

"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.""After these things ..." is a reference to the events of the previous chapter. It was not until Abram had at last "left" his father's house that the covenant was specifically renewed and expanded, as here. Therefore, the events of Genesis 14 were a necessary prelude to what is written here. Also, it was important that the great Christ-Type, Melchizedek,... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:2-3

"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? And Abram said, Behold to me thou hast given no seed; and, lo, one born in my house is my heir."The Hebrew text in the phrase regarding Eliezer is said to be imperfect, but the general meaning is clear enough. And, as to just who Eliezer was, whether he came from Damascus or not, all such questions are unimportant. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:4

"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."It was not specifically stated here that Sarai would be the mother of the promised heir, although both Abram and Sarai should have understood it thus. That they did not do so, led to their "helping God out" by the events that led to the birth of Ishmael. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:5

"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.""Number the stars ..." Previously, God had promised that Abram's seed would be as "the dust of the earth"; and the dramatic change here suggests the two Israels that call Abram their father, the fleshly Israel and the spiritual Israel of God's church. Also, Morris thought it indicated that the redeemed of both Israels would be... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:6

"And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness."One may only be astounded at the amount of nonsense written about this verse, which is hailed as the plan of salvation for the sinners of all ages, some even claiming that Abram was "saved by faith only," and trying to find here a corroboration of the great Lutheran heresy. There is no truth whatever in such views. Morris even discovered (?) here "a new covenant,"[11] and Unger hailed the passage as "the pattern of a... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:7-8

"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. And he said, O Lord Jehovah, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?"Significantly, (1) Jehovah (by that name) is already known to Abram; (2) also, the covenant is already in existence (Genesis 12:1ff); and what the narrative here is concerned with is the question of Abram as to how he could know that it would really be fulfilled. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:9-11

"And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon. And he took all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not. And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away."The function of the slaughtered animals here was not that of a sacrifice, but of the ratification (confirmation) of a covenant. The ritual... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:12-14

"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.""And when the sun was going down ..." All of this is still part of the vision "The horror of a... read more

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 15:20

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:1

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:2-3

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:4

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:5

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:6

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:7-8

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:9-11

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:12-14

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