the word of the LORD. First occurance of this expression is with the preposition. el , unto, implying action of a person; or, at least, articulate speech. a vision = the vision. Occurs only 4 times (here, Numbers 24:4 , Numbers 24:16 ; Ezr 13:7 ). I am thy shield. Manifested in Genesis 14:13-16 and Genesis 14:17-24 . Compare John 8:56 . The Incarnate Christ is Faith's shield (Ephesians 6:16 ). read more
"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
Genesis 15:1. The word of the Lord, &c.— This is the first time that this expression occurs, דבראּיהוה debar Jehovah, the word of Jehovah, which many suppose to be characteristic of the second Divine Person, who is the WORD, John 1:1. And possibly it is first used here, as the chapter contains a prophetic account of Abram's posterity, which this word of the Lord delivered, in a vision, says our translation; whence many suppose, that this was either a vision of the night, when Abram was... read more
1. After these things—the conquest of the invading kings. the word of the Lord—a phrase used, when connected with a vision, to denote a prophetic message. Fear not, Abram—When the excitement of the enterprise was over, he had become a prey to despondency and terror at the probable revenge that might be meditated against him. To dispel his fear, he was favored with this gracious announcement. Having such a promise, how well did it become him (and all God's people who have the same promise) to... read more
"’The word of the LORD came.’ This is a phrase typically introducing revelation to a prophet, e.g., 1 Samuel 15:10; Hosea 1:1; but in Genesis it is found only here and in Genesis 15:4 of this chapter. Abraham is actually called a prophet in Genesis 20:7. It prepares the way for the prophecy of the Egyptian bondage in Genesis 15:13-16." [Note: Wenham, Genesis 1-15, p. 32] Only in Genesis 15:1 and Genesis 22:1; Genesis 22:11 did God address Abram directly. Visions were one of the three primary... read more
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
XV.JEHOVAH’S COVENANT WITH ABRAM.(1) After these things.—After the war with Chedorlaomer.The word of the Lord came (Heb., was) unto Abram.—This phrase, used so constantly afterwards to signify revelation, occurs here for the first time. The revelation on this occasion is made by night (Genesis 15:5), not however in a dream, but in a trance, in which the senses of Abram were closed to all earthly impressions and he became passive in the hands of the Almighty. Up to this time Abram had received... read more
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
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
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21
Click image for full-size versionGod’s covenant with Abram (15:1-21)Earlier God had promised Abram a people and a land (see 12:2; 13:15). Abram’s faith concerning the promised land had been tested through drought and conflict, and his faith concerning the promised people was constantly being tested through his wife’s inability to have children. According to a custom of the time, a childless couple could adopt a person and make him heir to the family property. Abram therefore decided to adopt... read more