Genesis 15:2

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

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 15:2

Genesis 15:2. Eliezer of Damascus— i.e.. sprung originally from Damascus. The Hebrew word ben-meshec, which we translate steward, signifies the son of provision, he who provideth. It was a custom among the ancients to have such a superior servant: but upon what custom the right to inheritance for such a one, as born in the master's house, could be founded, we are totally in the dark; for I think it is most likely, there was some right of this kind, otherwise Abram had near relations to be his... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 15:2

2. Lord God, what wilt thou give?—To his mind the declaration, "I am thy exceeding great reward" [Genesis 15:1], had but one meaning, or was viewed but in one particular light, as bearing on the fulfilment of the promise, and he was still experiencing the sickness of hope deferred. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 15:2-3

Abram used a new title for God calling Him Master (Adonai) Yahweh (i.e., Sovereign LORD). Abram had willingly placed himself under the sovereign leadership of God."A childless couple adopts a son, sometimes a slave, to serve them in their lifetime and bury and mourn them when they die. In return for this service they designate the adopted son as the heir presumptive. Should a natural son be born to the couple after such action, this son becomes the chief heir, demoting the adopted son to the... 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 15:2

(2) Lord God.—Not Jehovah Elohim, but Lord Jehovah, “Lord” being the ordinary title of respect. Usually Jehovah takes the vowels of ‘donai, “lord,” but as the two words occur here together, it takes the vowels of Elohim, whence the translation in our version, in obedience to a superstition of the Jews (Genesis 4:1).What wilt thou give me?—There is a slight tone of complaint in these words. Jehovah promised Abram a “reward great exceedingly.” He answers that no reward can really be great so long... 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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 15:2

15:2 And Abram said, {a} Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?(a) His fear was not only lest he should not have children, but lest the promise of the blessed seed should not be accomplished in him. read more