Genesis 15:4 NIV

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 15:4

And behold, the word of the Lord came unto him ,.... Either having disappeared, and then came a second time, or he again spoke unto him: saying, this shall not be thine heir ; this Eliezer, this servant of thine, as thou hast made him, or hast intended to make him, giving up all hopes of having issue by Sarai: but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir ; that is, one shall inherit all thou hast, that shall be begotten by thee; an own son of Abram's,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:4

Verse 4 4.This shall not be thine heir. We hence infer that God had approved the wish of Abram. Whence also follows the other point, that Abram had not been impelled by any carnal affection to offer up this prayer, but by a pious and holy desire of enjoying the benediction promised to him. For God not only promises him a seed, but a great people, who in number should equal the stars of heaven. They who expound the passage allegorically; implying that a heavenly seed was promised him which might... 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 15:4

And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. 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

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:4

"And behold the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir."It was not specifically stated here that Sarai would be the mother of the promised heir, although both Abram and Sarai should have understood it thus. That they did not do so, led to their "helping God out" by the events that led to the birth of Ishmael. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 15:4

4. This shall not be thine heir—To the first part of his address no reply was given; but having renewed it in a spirit of more becoming submission, "whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it" [ :-], he was delighted by a most explicit promise of Canaan, which was immediately confirmed by a remarkable ceremony. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:4

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

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:1-21

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 15:4

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 15:4

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