Genesis 15:1-17:27

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 15:1

Observe here, I. The time when God made this treaty with Abram: After these things. 1. After that famous act of generous charity which Abram had done, in rescuing his friends and neighbours out of distress, and that, not for price nor reward. After this, God made him this gracious visit. Note, Those that show favour to men shall find favour with God. 2. After that victory which he had obtained over four kings. Lest Abram should be too much elevated and pleased with that, God comes to him, to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1

After these things ,.... The battle of the kings, the captivity of Lot, the rescue of him and his goods, and of those of Sodom and Gomorrah by Abram, and the conversation that passed between him, and the kings of Sodom and Salem: the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision ; Christ, the essential Word, appeared to Abram in an human form, visible to him, and with an articulate voice spoke unto him: saying , as follows: fear not, Abram ; calling him by his name, the more to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:1

The word of the Lord came unto Abram - This is the first place where God is represented as revealing himself by his word. Some learned men suppose that the יהוה דבר debar Yehovah , translated here word of the Lord, means the same with the λογος του Θεου of St. John, John 1:1 , and, by the Chaldee paraphrases in the next clause, called מימרי meimeri , "my word," and in other places דיי מימרא meimera daiya , the word of Yeya , a contraction for Jehovah, which they appear... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.The word of the Lord came. When Abram’s affairs were prosperous and were proceeding according to his wish, this vision might seem to be superfluous; especially since the Lord commands his servant, as one sorrowful and afflicted with fear, to be of good courage. Therefore certain writers conjecture, that Abram having returned after the deliverance of his nephew, was subjected to some annoyance of which no mention is made by Moses; just as the Lord often humbles his people, lest they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:1

After these things —the events just recorded— the word of the Lord —Debar Jehovah ; the first occurrence of this remarkable phrase, afterwards so common in the Hebrew Scriptures ( Exodus 9:20 ; Numbers 3:16 ; Deuteronomy 34:5 ; 1 Samuel 3:1 ; Psalms 33:6 , et passim ). That this was a personal designation of the pre-incarnate Loges, if not susceptible of complete demonstration, yet receives not a little sanction from the language employed throughout this narrative... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:1

What the Lord is to his people. I. A SHIELD against— 1. The charges of the law ( Isaiah 45:24 ). 2. The accusations of conscience ( Romans 15:13 ). 3. The force of temptation ( Revelation 3:10 ). 4. The opposition of the world ( Romans 8:31 ). 5. The fear of death ( Hebrews 2:15 ). II. A REWARD — 1. For sufferings patiently endured ( 2 Timothy 2:12 ). 2. For sacrifices cheerfully made ( Matthew 19:28 ). 3. For service faithfully... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:1-6

Under the stars with God. I. DEJECTED BEFORE GOD . 1. Apprehensive of danger . Victorious over the Asiatic monarchs, Abram nevertheless dreaded their return. Signal deliverances are not seldom followed by depressing fears; e.g. David ( 1 Samuel 27:1 ) and Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:10 ). Having emancipated the people of the land by breaking "the yoke of their burden, and the staff of their shoulder, the rod of their oppressor," he yet feared an outbreak of their hostility. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

Faith. The substance of this chapter is the special intercourse between Jehovah and Abram. On that foundation faith rests. It is not feeling after God, if haply he be found; it is a living confidence and obedience, based upon revelation, promise, covenant, solemn ratification by signs, detailed prediction of the future. God said, " I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward"— i.e. I am with thee day by day as the God of providence; I will abundantly bless thee hereafter. The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 15:1-21

- The Faith of Abram1. דבר dābār, “a word, a thing;” the word being the sign of the thing.2. אדני 'ǎdonāy, “Adonai, the Lord;” related: “bring down, lay down.” This is the name usually read in place of Yahweh; but when, as in the present case, יהוה yehovâh and אדני 'ǎdonāy are in apposition, אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym is read instead of the former. The Jews from a feeling of reverence avoided the utterance of this sacred name except on the most solemn occasions. This is said to have arisen from a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 15:1

Genesis 15:1. After these things 1st, After that act of generous charity which Abram had done, in rescuing his neighbours, God made him this gracious visit. 2d, After that victory which he had obtained over four kings: lest Abram should be too much elevated with that, God comes to tell him he had better things in store for him. The word of the Lord came unto Abram That is, God manifested himself to Abram; in a vision Which supposes that Abram was awake, and had some sensible token of... read more

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