Genesis 15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:2

What wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless - The anxiety of the Asiatics to have offspring is intense and universal. Among the Hindoos the want of children renders all other blessings of no esteem. See Ward. And the steward of my house - Abram, understanding the promise as relating to that person who was to spring from his family, in whom all the nations of the earth should be blessed, expresses his surprise that there should be such a promise, and yet he is about to die childless!... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:5

Look now toward heaven - It appears that this whole transaction took place in the evening; see on Genesis 13:14 ; (note). Abram had either two visions, that recorded in Genesis 15:1 , and that in Genesis 15:12 , etc.; or what is mentioned in the beginning of this chapter is a part of the occurrences which took place after the sacrifice mentioned Genesis 15:9 , etc.: but it is more likely that there was a vision of that kind already described, and afterwards a second, in which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness - This I conceive to be one of the most important passages in the whole Old Testament. It properly contains and specifies that doctrine of justification by faith which engrosses so considerable a share of the epistles of St. Paul, and at the foundation of which is the atonement made by the Son of God: And he (Abram) believed האמן heemin , he put faith) in Jehovah, לו ויחשבה vaiyachshebeita lo , and he counted it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:7

Ur of the Chaldees - See on Genesis 40 (note). 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

Group of Brands