18 In the same H1931 day H3117 the LORD H3068 made H3772 a covenant H1285 with Abram, H87 saying, H559 Unto thy seed H2233 have I given H5414 this land, H776 from the river H5104 of Egypt H4714 unto the great H1419 river, H5104 the river H5104 Euphrates: H6578
Turn H6437 you, and take your journey, H5265 and go H935 to the mount H2022 of the Amorites, H567 and unto all the places nigh H7934 thereunto, in the plain, H6160 in the hills, H2022 and in the vale, H8219 and in the south, H5045 and by the sea H3220 side, H2348 to the land H776 of the Canaanites, H3669 and unto Lebanon, H3844 unto the great H1419 river, H5104 the river H5104 Euphrates. H6578 Behold, H7200 I have set H5414 the land H776 before H6440 you: go H935 in and possess H3423 the land H776 which the LORD H3068 sware H7650 unto your fathers, H1 Abraham, H85 Isaac, H3327 and Jacob, H3290 to give H5414 unto them and to their seed H2233 after H310 them.
I will send H7971 my fear H367 before H6440 thee, and will destroy H2000 all the people H5971 to whom thou shalt come, H935 and I will make H5414 all thine enemies H341 turn their backs H6203 unto thee. And I will send H7971 hornets H6880 before H6440 thee, which shall drive out H1644 the Hivite, H2340 the Canaanite, H3669 and the Hittite, H2850 from before H6440 thee. I will not drive them out H1644 from before H6440 thee in one H259 year; H8141 lest the land H776 become desolate, H8077 and the beast H2416 of the field H7704 multiply H7227 against thee. By little H4592 and little H4592 I will drive them out H1644 from before H6440 thee, until thou be increased, H6509 and inherit H5157 the land. H776 And I will set H7896 thy bounds H1366 from the Red H5488 sea H3220 even unto the sea H3220 of the Philistines, H6430 and from the desert H4057 unto the river: H5104 for I will deliver H5414 the inhabitants H3427 of the land H776 into your hand; H3027 and thou shalt drive them out H1644 before H6440 thee.
Every place H4725 that the sole H3709 of your foot H7272 shall tread upon, H1869 that have I given H5414 unto you, as I said H1696 unto Moses. H4872 From the wilderness H4057 and this Lebanon H3844 even unto the great H1419 river, H5104 the river H5104 Euphrates, H6578 all the land H776 of the Hittites, H2850 and unto the great H1419 sea H3220 toward the going down H3996 of the sun, H8121 shall be your coast. H1366
Brethren, G80 I speak G3004 after the manner of G2596 men; G444 Though it be but G3676 a man's G444 covenant, G1242 yet if it be confirmed, G2964 no man G3762 disannulleth, G114 or G2228 addeth thereto. G1928 Now G1161 to Abraham G11 and G2532 his G846 seed G4690 were G4483 the promises G1860 made. G4483 He saith G3004 not, G3756 And G2532 to seeds, G4690 as G5613 of G1909 many; G4183 but G235 as G5613 of G1909 one, G1520 And G2532 to thy G4675 seed, G4690 which G3739 is G2076 Christ. G5547 And G1161 this G5124 I say, G3004 that the covenant, G1242 that was confirmed before G4300 of G5259 God G2316 in G1519 Christ, G5547 the law, G3551 which was G1096 four hundred G5071 and G2532 thirty G5144 years G2094 after, G3326 cannot G3756 disannul, G208 that G1519 it should make G2673 the promise G1860 of none effect. G2673
Thus saith H559 the LORD; H3068 If ye can break H6565 my covenant H1285 of the day, H3117 and my covenant H1285 of the night, H3915 and that there should not be day H3119 and night H3915 in their season; H6256 Then may also my covenant H1285 be broken H6565 with David H1732 my servant, H5650 that he should not have a son H1121 to reign H4427 upon his throne; H3678 and with the Levites H3881 the priests, H3548 my ministers. H8334 As the host H6635 of heaven H8064 cannot be numbered, H5608 neither the sand H2344 of the sea H3220 measured: H4058 so will I multiply H7235 the seed H2233 of David H1732 my servant, H5650 and the Levites H3881 that minister H8334 unto me. Moreover the word H1697 of the LORD H3068 came to Jeremiah, H3414 saying, H559 Considerest H7200 thou not what this people H5971 have spoken, H1696 saying, H559 The two H8147 families H4940 which the LORD H3068 hath chosen, H977 he hath even cast them off? H3988 thus they have despised H5006 my people, H5971 that they should be no more a nation H1471 before H6440 them. Thus saith H559 the LORD; H3068 If my covenant H1285 be not with day H3119 and night, H3915 and if I have not appointed H7760 the ordinances H2708 of heaven H8064 and earth; H776 Then H1571 will I cast away H3988 the seed H2233 of Jacob, H3290 and David H1732 my servant, H5650 so that I will not take H3947 any of his seed H2233 to be rulers H4910 over the seed H2233 of Abraham, H85 Isaac, H3446 and Jacob: H3290 for I will cause their captivity H7622 to return, H7725 H7725 and have mercy H7355 on them.
Behold, the days H3117 come, H935 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 that I will make H3772 a new H2319 covenant H1285 with the house H1004 of Israel, H3478 and with the house H1004 of Judah: H3063 Not according to the covenant H1285 that I made H3772 with their fathers H1 in the day H3117 that I took H2388 them by the hand H3027 to bring them out H3318 of the land H776 of Egypt; H4714 which my covenant H1285 they brake, H6565 although I was an husband H1166 unto them, saith H5002 the LORD: H3068 But this shall be the covenant H1285 that I will make H3772 with the house H1004 of Israel; H3478 After H310 those days, H3117 saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 I will put H5414 my law H8451 in their inward parts, H7130 and write H3789 it in their hearts; H3820 and will be their God, H430 and they shall be my people. H5971 And they shall teach H3925 no more every man H376 his neighbour, H7453 and every man H376 his brother, H251 saying, H559 Know H3045 the LORD: H3068 for they shall all know H3045 me, from the least H6996 of them unto the greatest H1419 of them, saith H5002 the LORD: H3068 for I will forgive H5545 their iniquity, H5771 and I will remember H2142 their sin H2403 no more.
And God H430 spake H559 unto Noah, H5146 and to his sons H1121 with him, saying, H559 And I, behold, I establish H6965 my covenant H1285 with you, and with your seed H2233 after you; H310 And with every living H2416 creature H5315 that is with you, of the fowl, H5775 of the cattle, H929 and of every beast H2416 of the earth H776 with you; from all that go out H3318 of the ark, H8392 to every beast H2416 of the earth. H776 And I will establish H6965 my covenant H1285 with you; neither shall all flesh H1320 be cut off H3772 any more by the waters H4325 of a flood; H3999 neither shall there any more be a flood H3999 to destroy H7843 the earth. H776 And God H430 said, H559 This is the token H226 of the covenant H1285 which I H589 make H5414 between me and you and every living H2416 creature H5315 that is with you, for perpetual H5769 generations: H1755 I do set H5414 my bow H7198 in the cloud, H6051 and it shall be for a token H226 of a covenant H1285 between me and the earth. H776 And it shall come to pass, when I bring H6049 a cloud H6051 over the earth, H776 that the bow H7198 shall be seen H7200 in the cloud: H6051 And I will remember H2142 my covenant, H1285 which is between me and you and every living H2416 creature H5315 of all flesh; H1320 and the waters H4325 shall no more H5750 become a flood H3999 to destroy H7843 all flesh. H1320 And the bow H7198 shall be in the cloud; H6051 and I will look upon it, H7200 that I may remember H2142 the everlasting H5769 covenant H1285 between H996 God H430 and H996 every living H2416 creature H5315 of all flesh H1320 that is upon the earth. H776 And God H430 said H559 unto Noah, H5146 This is the token H226 of the covenant, H1285 which I have established H6965 between me and all flesh H1320 that is upon the earth. H776
And when Abram H87 was ninety H8673 H8141 years H8141 old H1121 and nine, H8672 the LORD H3068 appeared H7200 to Abram, H87 and said H559 unto him, I am the Almighty H7706 God; H410 walk H1980 before me, H6440 and be thou perfect. H8549 And I will make H5414 my covenant H1285 between me and thee, and will multiply H7235 thee exceedingly. H3966 H3966 And Abram H87 fell H5307 on his face: H6440 and God H430 talked H1696 with him, saying, H559 As for me, H589 behold, my covenant H1285 is with thee, and thou shalt be a father H1 of many H1995 nations. H1471 Neither shall thy name H8034 any more be called H7121 Abram, H87 but thy name H8034 shall be Abraham; H85 for a father H1 of many H1995 nations H1471 have I made thee. H5414 And I will make H6509 thee exceeding H3966 H3966 fruitful, H6509 and I will make H5414 nations H1471 of thee, and kings H4428 shall come out H3318 of thee. And I will establish H6965 my covenant H1285 between me and thee and thy seed H2233 after thee H310 in their generations H1755 for an everlasting H5769 covenant, H1285 to be a God H430 unto thee, and to thy seed H2233 after thee. H310 And I will give H5414 unto thee, and to thy seed H2233 after thee, H310 the land H776 wherein thou art a stranger, H4033 all the land H776 of Canaan, H3667 for an everlasting H5769 possession; H272 and I will be their God. H430 And God H430 said H559 unto Abraham, H85 Thou shalt keep H8104 my covenant H1285 therefore, thou, and thy seed H2233 after thee H310 in their generations. H1755 This is my covenant, H1285 which ye shall keep, H8104 between me and you and thy seed H2233 after thee; H310 Every man child H2145 among you shall be circumcised. H4135 And ye shall circumcise H5243 the flesh H1320 of your foreskin; H6190 and it shall be a token H226 of the covenant H1285 betwixt me and you. And he that is eight H8083 days H3117 old H1121 shall be circumcised H4135 among you, every man child H2145 in your generations, H1755 he that is born H3211 in the house, H1004 or bought H4736 with money H3701 of any stranger, H1121 H5236 which is not of thy seed. H2233 He that is born H3211 in thy house, H1004 and he that is bought H4736 with thy money, H3701 must needs H4135 be circumcised: H4135 and my covenant H1285 shall be in your flesh H1320 for an everlasting H5769 covenant. H1285 And the uncircumcised H6189 man child H2145 whose H834 flesh H1320 of his foreskin H6190 is not circumcised, H4135 that soul H5315 shall be cut off H3772 from his people; H5971 he hath broken H6565 my covenant. H1285 And God H430 said H559 unto Abraham, H85 As for Sarai H8297 thy wife, H802 thou shalt not call H7121 her name H8034 Sarai, H8297 but H3588 Sarah H8283 shall her name H8034 be. And I will bless H1288 her, and give H5414 thee a son H1121 also of her: yea, I will bless H1288 her, and she shall be a mother of nations; H1471 kings H4428 of people H5971 shall be of her. Then Abraham H85 fell H5307 upon his face, H6440 and laughed, H6711 and said H559 in his heart, H3820 Shall a child be born H3205 unto him that is an hundred H3967 years H8141 old? H1121 and shall Sarah, H8283 that is ninety H8673 years H8141 old, H1323 bear? H3205 And Abraham H85 said H559 unto God, H430 O that H3863 Ishmael H3458 might live H2421 before thee! H6440 And God H430 said, H559 Sarah H8283 thy wife H802 shall bear H3205 thee a son H1121 indeed; H61 and thou shalt call H7121 his name H8034 Isaac: H3327 and I will establish H6965 my covenant H1285 with him for an everlasting H5769 covenant, H1285 and with his seed H2233 after him. H310 And as for Ishmael, H3458 I have heard thee: H8085 Behold, I have blessed H1288 him, and will make him fruitful, H6509 and will multiply H7235 him exceedingly; H3966 H3966 twelve H6240 H8147 princes H5387 shall he beget, H3205 and I will make him H5414 a great H1419 nation. H1471 But my covenant H1285 will I establish H6965 with Isaac, H3327 which Sarah H8283 shall bear H3205 unto thee at this set time H4150 in the next H312 year. H8141 And he left off H3615 talking H1696 with him, and God H430 went up H5927 from Abraham. H85 And Abraham H85 took H3947 Ishmael H3458 his son, H1121 and all that were born H3211 in his house, H1004 and all that were bought H4736 with his money, H3701 every male H2145 among the men H582 of Abraham's H85 house; H1004 and circumcised H4135 the flesh H1320 of their foreskin H6190 in the selfsame H6106 day, H3117 as God H430 had said H1696 unto him. And Abraham H85 was ninety H8673 years H8141 old H1121 and nine, H8672 when he was circumcised H4135 in the flesh H1320 of his foreskin. H6190 And Ishmael H3458 his son H1121 was thirteen H6240 H7969 years H8141 old, H1121 when he was circumcised H4135 in the flesh H1320 of his foreskin. H6190 In the selfsame H6106 day H3117 was Abraham H85 circumcised, H4135 and Ishmael H3458 his son. H1121 And all the men H582 of his house, H1004 born H3211 in the house, H1004 and bought H4736 with money H3701 of the stranger, H1121 H5236 were circumcised H4135 with him.
And, behold, the LORD H3068 stood H5324 above it, and said, H559 I am the LORD H3068 God H430 of Abraham H85 thy father, H1 and the God H430 of Isaac: H3327 the land H776 whereon thou liest, H7901 to thee will I give it, H5414 and to thy seed; H2233 And thy seed H2233 shall be as the dust H6083 of the earth, H776 and thou shalt spread abroad H6555 to the west, H3220 and to the east, H6924 and to the north, H6828 and to the south: H5045 and in thee and in thy seed H2233 shall all the families H4940 of the earth H127 be blessed. H1288
Command H6680 the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 and say H559 unto them, When ye come H935 into the land H776 of Canaan; H3667 (this is the land H776 that shall fall H5307 unto you for an inheritance, H5159 even the land H776 of Canaan H3667 with the coasts H1367 thereof:) Then your south H5045 quarter H6285 shall be from the wilderness H4057 of Zin H6790 along by the coast H3027 of Edom, H123 and your south H5045 border H1366 shall be the outmost coast H7097 of the salt H4417 sea H3220 eastward: H6924
Now these are the kings H4428 of the land, H776 which the children H1121 of Israel H3478 smote, H5221 and possessed H3423 their land H776 on the other side H5676 Jordan H3383 toward the rising H4217 of the sun, H8121 from the river H5158 Arnon H769 unto mount H2022 Hermon, H2768 and all the plain H6160 on the east: H4217 Sihon H5511 king H4428 of the Amorites, H567 who dwelt H3427 in Heshbon, H2809 and ruled H4910 from Aroer, H6177 which is upon the bank H8193 of the river H5158 Arnon, H769 and from the middle H8432 of the river, H5158 and from half H2677 Gilead, H1568 even unto the river H5158 Jabbok, H2999 which is the border H1366 of the children H1121 of Ammon; H5983 And from the plain H6160 to the sea H3220 of Chinneroth H3672 on the east, H4217 and unto the sea H3220 of the plain, H6160 even the salt H4417 sea H3220 on the east, H4217 the way H1870 to Bethjeshimoth; H1020 and from the south, H8486 under Ashdothpisgah: H798 H794 And the coast H1366 of Og H5747 king H4428 of Bashan, H1316 which was of the remnant H3499 of the giants, H7497 that dwelt H3427 at Ashtaroth H6252 and at Edrei, H154 And reigned H4910 in mount H2022 Hermon, H2768 and in Salcah, H5548 and in all Bashan, H1316 unto the border H1366 of the Geshurites H1651 and the Maachathites, H4602 and half H2677 Gilead, H1568 the border H1366 of Sihon H5511 king H4428 of Heshbon. H2809 Them did Moses H4872 the servant H5650 of the LORD H3068 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 smite: H5221 and Moses H4872 the servant H5650 of the LORD H3068 gave H5414 it for a possession H3425 unto the Reubenites, H7206 and the Gadites, H1425 and the half H2677 tribe H7626 of Manasseh. H4519 And these are the kings H4428 of the country H776 which Joshua H3091 and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 smote H5221 on this side H5676 Jordan H3383 on the west, H3220 from Baalgad H1171 in the valley H1237 of Lebanon H3844 even unto the mount H2022 Halak, H2510 that goeth up H5927 to Seir; H8165 which Joshua H3091 gave H5414 unto the tribes H7626 of Israel H3478 for a possession H3425 according to their divisions; H4256 In the mountains, H2022 and in the valleys, H8219 and in the plains, H6160 and in the springs, H794 and in the wilderness, H4057 and in the south country; H5045 the Hittites, H2850 the Amorites, H567 and the Canaanites, H3669 the Perizzites, H6522 the Hivites, H2340 and the Jebusites: H2983 The king H4428 of Jericho, H3405 one; H259 the king H4428 of Ai, H5857 which is beside H6654 Bethel, H1008 one; H259 The king H4428 of Jerusalem, H3389 one; H259 the king H4428 of Hebron, H2275 one; H259 The king H4428 of Jarmuth, H3412 one; H259 the king H4428 of Lachish, H3923 one; H259 The king H4428 of Eglon, H5700 one; H259 the king H4428 of Gezer, H1507 one; H259 The king H4428 of Debir, H1688 one; H259 the king H4428 of Geder, H1445 one; H259 The king H4428 of Hormah, H2767 one; H259 the king H4428 of Arad, H6166 one; H259 The king H4428 of Libnah, H3841 one; H259 the king H4428 of Adullam, H5725 one; H259 The king H4428 of Makkedah, H4719 one; H259 the king H4428 of Bethel, H1008 one; H259 The king H4428 of Tappuah, H8599 one; H259 the king H4428 of Hepher, H2660 one; H259 The king H4428 of Aphek, H663 one; H259 the king H4428 of Lasharon, H8289 one; H259 The king H4428 of Madon, H4068 one; H259 the king H4428 of Hazor, H2674 one; H259 The king H4428 of Shimronmeron, H8112 one; H259 the king H4428 of Achshaph, H407 one; H259
And the second H8145 lot H1486 came forth H3318 to Simeon, H8095 even for the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Simeon H8095 according to their families: H4940 and their inheritance H5159 was within H8432 the inheritance H5159 of the children H1121 of Judah. H3063 And they had in their inheritance H5159 Beersheba, H884 or Sheba, H7652 and Moladah, H4137 And Hazarshual, H2705 and Balah, H1088 and Azem, H6107 And Eltolad, H513 and Bethul, H1329 and Hormah, H2767 And Ziklag, H6860 and Bethmarcaboth, H1024 and Hazarsusah, H2701 And Bethlebaoth, H1034 and Sharuhen; H8287 thirteen H7969 H6240 cities H5892 and their villages: H2691 Ain, H5871 Remmon, H7417 and Ether, H6281 and Ashan; H6228 four H702 cities H5892 and their villages: H2691 And all the villages H2691 that were round about H5439 these cities H5892 to Baalathbeer, H1192 Ramath H7414 of the south. H5045 This is the inheritance H5159 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Simeon H8095 according to their families. H4940 Out of the portion H2256 of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 was the inheritance H5159 of the children H1121 of Simeon: H8095 for the part H2506 of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 was too much H7227 for them: therefore the children H1121 of Simeon H8095 had their inheritance H5157 within H8432 the inheritance H5159 of them. And the third H7992 lot H1486 came up H5927 for the children H1121 of Zebulun H2074 according to their families: H4940 and the border H1366 of their inheritance H5159 was unto Sarid: H8301 And their border H1366 went up H5927 toward the sea, H3220 and Maralah, H4831 and reached H6293 to Dabbasheth, H1708 and reached H6293 to the river H5158 that is before H6440 Jokneam; H3362 And turned H7725 from Sarid H8301 eastward H6924 toward the sunrising H4217 H8121 unto the border H1366 of Chislothtabor, H3696 and then goeth out H3318 to Daberath, H1705 and goeth up H5927 to Japhia, H3309 And from thence passeth on along H5674 on the east H4217 H6924 to Gittahhepher, H1662 to Ittahkazin, H6278 and goeth out H3318 to Remmonmethoar H7417 to Neah; H5269 And the border H1366 compasseth H5437 it on the north side H6828 to Hannathon: H2615 and the outgoings H8444 thereof are in the valley H1516 of Jiphthahel: H3317 And Kattath, H7005 and Nahallal, H5096 and Shimron, H8110 and Idalah, H3030 and Bethlehem: H1035 twelve H8147 H6240 cities H5892 with their villages. H2691 This is the inheritance H5159 of the children H1121 of Zebulun H2074 according to their families, H4940 these cities H5892 with their villages. H2691 And the fourth H7243 lot H1486 came out H3318 to Issachar, H3485 for the children H1121 of Issachar H3485 according to their families. H4940 And their border H1366 was toward Jezreel, H3157 and Chesulloth, H3694 and Shunem, H7766 And Hapharaim, H2663 and Shion, H7866 and Anaharath, H588 And Rabbith, H7245 and Kishion, H7191 and Abez, H77 And Remeth, H7432 and Engannim, H5873 and Enhaddah, H5876 and Bethpazzez; H1048 And the coast H1366 reacheth H6293 to Tabor, H8396 and Shahazimah, H7831 and Bethshemesh; H1053 and the outgoings H8444 of their border H1366 were at Jordan: H3383 sixteen H8337 H6240 cities H5892 with their villages. H2691 This is the inheritance H5159 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Issachar H3485 according to their families, H4940 the cities H5892 and their villages. H2691 And the fifth H2549 lot H1486 came out H3318 for the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Asher H836 according to their families. H4940 And their border H1366 was Helkath, H2520 and Hali, H2482 and Beten, H991 and Achshaph, H407 And Alammelech, H487 and Amad, H6008 and Misheal; H4861 and reacheth H6293 to Carmel H3760 westward, H3220 and to Shihorlibnath; H7884 And turneth H7725 toward the sunrising H4217 H8121 to Bethdagon, H1016 and reacheth H6293 to Zebulun, H2074 and to the valley H1516 of Jiphthahel H3317 toward the north side H6828 of Bethemek, H1025 and Neiel, H5272 and goeth out H3318 to Cabul H3521 on the left hand, H8040 And Hebron, H5683 and Rehob, H7340 and Hammon, H2540 and Kanah, H7071 even unto great H7227 Zidon; H6721 And then the coast H1366 turneth H7725 to Ramah, H7414 and to the strong H4013 city H5892 Tyre; H6865 and the coast H1366 turneth H7725 to Hosah; H2621 and the outgoings H8444 thereof are at the sea H3220 from the coast H2256 to Achzib: H392 Ummah H5981 also, and Aphek, H663 and Rehob: H7340 twenty H6242 and two H8147 cities H5892 with their villages. H2691 This is the inheritance H5159 of the tribe H4294 of the children H1121 of Asher H836 according to their families, H4940 these cities H5892 with their villages. H2691 The sixth H8345 lot H1486 came out H3318 to the children H1121 of Naphtali, H5321 even for the children H1121 of Naphtali H5321 according to their families. H4940 And their coast H1366 was from Heleph, H2501 from Allon H438 to Zaanannim, H6815 and Adami, H129 Nekeb, H5346 and Jabneel, H2995 unto Lakum; H3946 and the outgoings H8444 thereof were at Jordan: H3383 And then the coast H1366 turneth H7725 westward H3220 to Aznothtabor, H243 and goeth out H3318 from thence to Hukkok, H2712 and reacheth H6293 to Zebulun H2074 on the south side, H5045 and reacheth H6293 to Asher H836 on the west side, H3220 and to Judah H3063 upon Jordan H3383 toward the sunrising. H4217 H8121 And the fenced H4013 cities H5892 are Ziddim, H6661 Zer, H6863 and Hammath, H2575 Rakkath, H7557 and Chinnereth, H3672 And Adamah, H128 and Ramah, H7414 and Hazor, H2674 And Kedesh, H6943 and Edrei, H154 and Enhazor, H5877 And Iron, H3375 and Migdalel, H4027 Horem, H2765 and Bethanath, H1043 and Bethshemesh; H1053 nineteen H8672 H6240 cities H5892 with their villages. H2691
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Genesis 15
Commentary on Genesis 15 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 15
Ge 15:1-21. Divine Encouragement.
1. After these things—the conquest of the invading kings.
the word of the Lord—a phrase used, when connected with a vision, to denote a prophetic message.
Fear not, Abram—When the excitement of the enterprise was over, he had become a prey to despondency and terror at the probable revenge that might be meditated against him. To dispel his fear, he was favored with this gracious announcement. Having such a promise, how well did it become him (and all God's people who have the same promise) to dismiss fears, and cast all burdens on the Lord (Ps 27:3).
2. Lord God, what wilt thou give?—To his mind the declaration, "I am thy exceeding great reward" [Ge 15:1], had but one meaning, or was viewed but in one particular light, as bearing on the fulfilment of the promise, and he was still experiencing the sickness of hope deferred.
3. Eliezer of Damascus … one born in my house is mine heir—According to the usage of nomadic tribes, his chief confidential servant, would be heir to his possessions and honors. But this man could have become his son only by adoption; and how sadly would that have come short of the parental hopes he had been encouraged to entertain! His language betrayed a latent spirit of fretfulness or perhaps a temporary failure in the very virtue for which he is so renowned—and absolute submission to God's time, as well as way, of accomplishing His promise.
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" [Ge 15:8], he was delighted by a most explicit promise of Canaan, which was immediately confirmed by a remarkable ceremony.
9-21. Take me an heifer, &c.—On occasions of great importance, when two or more parties join in a compact, they either observe precisely the same rites as Abram did, or, where they do not, they invoke the lamp as their witness. According to these ideas, which have been from time immemorial engraven on the minds of Eastern people, the Lord Himself condescended to enter into covenant with Abram. The patriarch did not pass between the sacrifice and the reason was that in this transaction he was bound to nothing. He asked a sign, and God was pleased to give him a sign, by which, according to Eastern ideas, He bound Himself. In like manner God has entered into covenant with us; and in the glory of the only-begotten Son, who passed through between God and us, all who believe have, like Abram, a sign or pledge in the gift of the Spirit, whereby they may know that they shall inherit the heavenly Canaan.