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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:15

And thou shall go to thy fathers in peace ,.... Or die, which is a going the way of all flesh, to a man's long home, out of this world to another, to the world of spirits, to those that are gone before them; which is no inconsiderable proof of the immortality of the soul. Jarchi infers from hence, that Terah, Abram's father, was a penitent, and died a good man, and went to heaven, the place and state of the blessed, whither Abram should go at death; but the phrase of going to the fathers is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:16

And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again ,.... The seed of Abram were in the land of Canaan before their descent into Egypt; and it is here predicted and promised, that they should come thither again, as they did, in the fourth generation of those that descended thither; for Moses and Aaron were the fourth from Levi, or Eleazar from Kohath, and Caleb from Judah; or rather this was in the fourth age or century from the birth of Isaac, when the four hundred were up before... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:8

And he said, Lord God - יהוה אדני Adonai Yehovah , my Lord Jehovah. Adonai is the word which the Jews in reading always substitute for Jehovah, as they count it impious to pronounce this name. Adonai signifies my director, basis, supporter, prop, or stay; and scarcely a more appropriate name can be given to that God who is the framer and director of every righteous word and action; the basis or foundation on which every rational hope rests; the supporter of the souls and bodies of men,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:9

Take me a heifer - עגלה eglah , a she-calf; a she-goat, עז ez , a goat, male or female, but distinguished here by the feminine adjective; משלשת meshullesheth , a three-yearling; a ram, איל ayil ; a turtle-dove, תר tor , from which come turtur and turtle; young pigeon, גוזל gozal , a word signifying the young of pigeons and eagles. See Deuteronomy 32:11 . It is worthy of remark, that every animal allowed or commanded to be sacrificed under the Mosaic law is to be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:10

Divided them in the midst - The ancient method of making covenants as well as the original word, have been already alluded to, and in a general way explained. See Genesis 6:18 . The word covenant from con , together, and venio , I come, signifies an agreement, association, or meeting between two or more parties; for it is impossible that a covenant can be made between an individual and himself, whether God or man. This is a theological absurdity into which many have run; there must be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:11

And when the fowls - העיט haayit , birds of prey, came down upon the carcasses to devour them, Abram, who stood by his sacrifice waiting for the manifestation of God, who had ordered him to prepare for the ratification of the covenant, drove them away, that they might neither pollute nor devour what had been thus consecrated to God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:12

A deep sleep - תרדמה tardemah , the same word which is used to express the sleep into which Adam was cast, previous to the formation of Eve; Genesis 2:21 . A horror of great darkness - Which God designed to be expressive of the affliction and misery into which his posterity should be brought during the four hundred years of their bondage in Egypt; as the next verse particularly states. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:13

Four hundred years - "Which began," says Mr. Ainsworth, "when Ishmael, son of Hagar, mocked and persecuted Isaac, Genesis 21:9 ; Galatians 4:29 ; which fell out thirty years after the promise, Genesis 12:3 ; which promise was four hundred and thirty years before the law, Galatians 3:17 ; and four hundred and thirty years after that promise came Israel out of Egypt, Exodus 12:41 ." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:14

And also that nation, etc. - How remarkably was this promise fulfilled, in the redemption of Israel from its bondage, in the plagues and destruction of the Egyptians, and in the immense wealth which the Israelites brought out of Egypt! Not a more circumstantial or literally fulfilled promise is to be found in the sacred writings. read more

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