Genesis 15:9-10

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 15:7-11

We have here the assurance given to Abram of the land of Canaan for an inheritance. I. God declares his purpose concerning it, Gen. 15:7. Observe here, Abram made no complaint in this matter, as he had done for the want of a child. Note, Those that are sure of an interest in the promised seed will see no reason to doubt of a title to the promised land. If Christ is ours, heaven is ours. Observe again, When he believed the former promise (Gen. 15:6) then God explained and ratified this to him.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:9

And he said unto him, take me an heifer of three years old ,.... This, with what follows, is the sign by which Abram might know that he, that is, his seed, should inherit the land of Canaan; for the whole of this is an emblem of the state and condition of his posterity, until they should enter into that land: wherefore he is ordered to "take" out of his herds and flocks this and the following creatures, which were used in sacrifice before the ceremonial law was given, as well as under it;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:10

And he took unto him all these ,.... The heifer, goat, ram, turtle, and young pigeon, not to himself, but to the Lord, as he was bid, and offered them before him, as the above Targums paraphrase it; or however he took them for his use, and set them before him, and did with them as he directed him: and divided them in the midst ; that is, the three animals, the heifer, goat, and ram; he did not take off their several limbs, and cut them up in small parts, but cut them in halves: and... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:9

Verse 9 9.Take me an heifer of three years old. Some, instead of an heifer of three years old translate the passage, ‘three heifers’ and in each species of animals enumerated, would make the number three. Yet the opinion of those who apply the word three to the age of the heifer, is more general. Moreover, although God would not deny his servant what he had asked; he yet, by no means, granted what would gratify the desire of the flesh. For, what certainty could be added to the promise, by the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:10

Verse 10 10.And divided them in the midst. That no part of this sacrifice may be without mystery, certain interpreters weary themselves in the fabrication of subtleties; but it is our business, as I have often declared, to cultivate sobriety. I confess I do not know why he was commanded to take three kinds of animals besides birds; unless it were, that by this variety itself, it was declared, that all the posterity of Abram, of whatever rank they might be, should be offered up in sacrifice, so... 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 15:9

And he said unto him, Take me (literally, for me, i.e. for my use in sacrifice) an heifer of three years old . So rightly ( LXX ; Syriac, Samaritan, Arabic, Josephus, Bochart, Rosenmüller, Keil); not three heifers (Onkelos, Jarchi, Kimchi, et alii ). And a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old . These offerings, afterwards prescribed by the law ( Exodus 29:15 ; Numbers 15:27 ; Numbers 19:2 ; Deuteronomy 21:3 ), were three in number, and of three... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 15:10

And he took unto him all these, and divided (a word occurring only here in Genesis, and supposed by Michaelis to have been taken by Moses from the ancient document from which he transcribed this portion of his work. The word is afterwards found in So Genesis 2:17 , and Jeremiah 34:18 ) them in the midst,—μέσα ( LXX .); in equal parts (Onkelos)— and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. So afterwards in the Mosaic legislation (Le Genesis 1:7 ).... read more

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