Genesis 15 KJV: The Formal Ratification of the Abramic Promise

Genesis 15 establishes the legal framework of God's promise through a formal 'cutting' of a covenant that shifts the burden of performance entirely onto the Creator. It defines the doctrine of justification by faith long before the establishment of religious rituals or law.

  1. v1-6: Faith Counted as Righteousness
  2. v7-11: Preparation of the Covenant Sacrifice
  3. v12-16: The Prophecy of the Egyptian Sojourn
  4. v17-21: The Passing of the Torch and Land Boundaries

Genesis chapter 15

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
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.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
And when the fowls came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away.
And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaim,
And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

Observe the smoking oven and burning lamp as God alone walks the path of the covenant, taking the full penalty of the oath. Begin your study with genesis 15 summary.

In ancient Near Eastern 'Blood Covenants,' both parties usually walked through the pieces, but here God puts Abram to sleep and walks alone, signifying this is a 'grace-based' rather than 'works-based' agreement. The Word Secret is Aman, the root of 'Amen,' describing Abram’s faith as a firm, steady leaning upon God's character. Discover the riches with genesis 15 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.

Unlock the hidden genesis 15 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.

Have a question about this chapter or a revelation to share? Connect with the Body of Christ to express your heart and find biblical answers within the Genesis 15 fellowship.

Explore genesis 15 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines

3 min read (471 words)