Genesis 15:17 - Exposition

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down ,—literally, and it was ( i.e. this took place), the sun went down ; less accurately, ἐπεὶ δὲ ὁ ἤλιιος ἐγένετο πρὸς δυσμὰς ( LXX .), which was the state of matters in Genesis 15:12 . Here the sun, which was then setting, is described as having set— and it was dark ,—literally, and darkness was, i.e. a darkness that might be felt, as in Genesis 15:12 ; certainly not φλὸξ ἐγένετο ( LXX .), as if there were another flame besides the one specified in the description— behold a smoking furnace ,—the תַּנּוּר , or Oriental furnace, had the form of a cylindrical fire-pot—and a burning lamp—a lamp of fire, or fiery torch, emerging from the smoking stove: an emblem of the Divine presence (cf. Exodus 19:18 )— that passed between those pieces —in ratification of the covenant.