Genesis 15:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 15:2-6

We have here the assurance given to Abram of a numerous offspring which should descend from him, in which observe, I. Abram's repeated complaint, Gen. 15:2, 3. This was that which gave occasion to this promise. The great affliction that sat heavy upon Abram was the want of a child; and the complaint of this he here pours out before the Lord, and shows before him his trouble, Ps. 142:2. Note, Though we must never complain of God, yet we have leave to complain to him, and to be large and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:3

And Abram said, behold, to me thou hast given no seed ,.... He had bestowed many temporal blessings on him, as well as spiritual ones, having given himself in covenant, and all things in it, but he had not given him a child: and lo, one born in my house is mine heir ; meaning either Eliezer or his son, whom he had made his heir, or intended to make him, since he had no child; or of course he would have been to, Lot his nephew having no sons; and this Eliezer descending from Aram, the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:3

And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house (literally, the son of my house, i.e. Eliezer) is mine heir. The language of the patriarch discovers three things: 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 15:3

Genesis 15:3. Behold, to me thou hast given no seed Not only no son, but no seed. If he had had a daughter, from her the promised Messias might have come, who was to be the seed of the woman; but he had neither son nor daughter. read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 15:3

Behold . . . lo. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ). heir. Hebrew. inherits me. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject). This was strictly in accordance with 191 of the Code of Kharnmurabi. See App-15 . read more

James Burton Coffman

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

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