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Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 15:11

"The birds of prey are unclean (Leviticus 11:13-19; Deuteronomy 14:12-18) and represent foreign nations (Ezekiel 17:3; Ezekiel 17:7; Zechariah 5:9), most probably Egypt. . . . Thus Abram driving off the birds of prey from the dismembered pieces portrays him defending his descendants from the attacks of foreign nations. Genesis itself tells of a number of attacks by foreigners against the children of Abraham (e.g. chs. 26, 34) and it already looks forward to the sojourn in Egypt (chs. 37-50 [cf.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:1-21

God Promises an Heir to Abraham and the Land of Canaan for his Descendants. The Promise is Ratified by a CovenantThe passage is from the Primitive source. A somewhat similar account from the Priestly narrative is given in Genesis 17. The repetition shows the importance attached by the compiler of Genesis to these records of the promises as testifying to the divine purposes for the Hebrew people.1. Vision] probably a trance, with the senses dormant, but the mind awake to spiritual impressions:... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 15:11

(11) And when the fowls . . . —Heb., And the birds of prey came down upon the carcases, and Abram scared them away. Had there been a sacrifice the fire would have kept the vultures from approaching; but the bodies lay exposed, and Abram therefore kept guard over them, lest the purpose of the ceremonial should be frustrated by any want of respect shown to the outward symbols. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 15:1-21

Genesis 15:0 'Read the fifteenth chapter with extreme care. If you have a good memory, learn it by heart from beginning to end; it is one of the most sublime and pregnant passages in the entire compass of ancient literature.' Ruskin, Fors Clarigeva (lxiv). References. XV. 1. J. Parker, Adam, Noah, and Abraham, p. 120. J. Thomas, Myrtle Street Pulpit, vol. ii. p. 341. Spurgeon, Sermons, vol. xlix. No. 2814. XV. 2. J. Kelly, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xviii. p. 165. XV. 5, 6. Archbishop... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

COVENANT WITH ABRAMGenesis 15:1-21OF the nine Divine manifestations made during Abram’s life this is the fifth. At Ur, at Kharran, at the oak of Moreh, at the encampment between Bethel and Ai, and now at Mamre, he received guidance and encouragement from God. Different terms are used regarding these manifestations. Sometimes it is said "The Lord appeared unto him"; here for the first time in the course of God’s revelation occurs that expression which afterwards became normal, "The word of the... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 15:1-21

CHAPTER 15 The Fourth Communication and the Covenant and the Vision 1. The fourth communication (Genesis 15:1 ) 2. Abram’s answer (Genesis 15:2-3 ) 3. The promised seed (Genesis 15:4-5 ) 4. Abram counted righteous (Genesis 15:6 ) 5. Continued communication (Genesis 15:7-8 ) 6. The divided animals (Genesis 15:9-11 ) 7. The vision (Genesis 15:12-17 ) 8. The covenant made (Genesis 15:18-21 ) The connection with the previous chapter is extremely precious. Abram had honored the Lord... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:1-21

THE PROMISE OF GOD AND ITS CONFIRMATION Abram having proven that he was not seeking gain for himself, but depending on the God of heaven and earth, then the Lord gives him His word of wonderful encouragement, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward" (v.11). It is not simply that God would protect him and reward him, but rather that the Lord Himself was his protection and the Lord Himself his reward. Abram therefore was not merely to have confidence in what... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT THE CONFEDERATED KINGS (Genesis 14:1-12 ) How does the Revised Version translate “nations” in Genesis 14:17 In what valley was the battle joined (Genesis 14:3 )? How is that valley now identified? Against what six peoples did Chedorlaomer and his confederates campaign in the fourteenth year (Genesis 14:5-7 )? You will find these peoples located on the east and south of the Dead Sea. Who were victors in this case (Genesis 14:10 )? How did they reward themselves... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 15:1-21

Abram's Domestic Life Genesis 15:0 and Genesis 16:0 I take these two chapters together, as completing one view of Abram's domestic life. It may be well to take notice that, up to this point, everything has gone on in regular order, with the exception of one great and solemn event. We have found just what we might have looked for: the growth of the population, the spreading out of families and tribes into distant places, a little invention, and the beginnings of discovery and progress. There... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 15:9-11

And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. It is not altogether fanciful to trace even in the minute circumstances of sacrifice, somewhat referring to Him unto whom all the sacrifices referred? Is not the three years of age a type of the Redeemer's three years ministry? And what do those birds of prey, which came down on Abram's sacrifice, intimate, but the vain thoughts which hover over our minds in our holy seasons? read more

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