Genesis 15:4-6

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 Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:5

And he brought him forth abroad ,.... Out of his tent into the open air, which was done through his call, and at his direction; or by an impulse upon his mind; or this might not be real and local, only vision: and said, look now towards heaven ; either with his bodily eyes, or with the eyes of his mind: and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them ; this looks as if it were in a vision that this was said to him, and what follows done in the day, since it was in the daytime,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the Lord ,.... The Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan are,"in the Word of the Lord;'in the essential Word of the Lord, in Christ the Lord his righteousness; he believed in the promise of God, that he should have a seed, and a very numerous one; he believed that the Messiah would spring from his seed; he believed in him as his Saviour and Redeemer; he believed in him for righteousness, and he believed in his righteousness as justifying him before God: and he counted it to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:5

Look now toward heaven - It appears that this whole transaction took place in the evening; see on Genesis 13:14 ; (note). Abram had either two visions, that recorded in Genesis 15:1 , and that in Genesis 15:12 , etc.; or what is mentioned in the beginning of this chapter is a part of the occurrences which took place after the sacrifice mentioned Genesis 15:9 , etc.: but it is more likely that there was a vision of that kind already described, and afterwards a second, in which he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:6

And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness - This I conceive to be one of the most important passages in the whole Old Testament. It properly contains and specifies that doctrine of justification by faith which engrosses so considerable a share of the epistles of St. Paul, and at the foundation of which is the atonement made by the Son of God: And he (Abram) believed האמן heemin , he put faith) in Jehovah, לו ויחשבה vaiyachshebeita lo , and he counted it... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 15:6

Verse 6 6.And he believed in the Lord. None of us would be able to conceive the rich and hidden doctrine which this passage contains, unless Paul had borne his torch before us. (Romans 4:3.) But it is strange, and seems like a prodigy, that when the Spirit of God has kindled so great a light, yet the greater part of interpreters wander with closed eyes, as in the darkness of night. I omit the Jews, whose blindness is well known. But it is (as I have said) monstrous, that they who have had Paul... 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

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