The Covenant with Abram. (J, E.) This chapter contains at least two slightly different narratives, which dealing with the same subject have been blended together. Thus Genesis 15:1_; Genesis 15:5_speak of Abram in sleep, at night time, when the stars are visible: in Genesis 15:12_; Genesis 15:17_we... [ Continue Reading ]
The Promise of an Heir 1. _After these things_ A vague note of time. Cf. Genesis 22:1; Genesis 22:20; Genesis 40:1; Genesis 48:1. _the word of the Lord_ i.e. the word of Jehovah, as in Genesis 15:4. This is a technical expression in the O.T. for a Divine revelation to a prophet. It occurs nowhere... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord God_ God = Heb. _Jehovah_, as in other places where it is put in capitals. "Adonai Jehovah": this combination of sacred names occurs only here, Genesis 15:8, and Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 9:26, in the Pentateuch. It is, however, not uncommon in the prophetical writings; and is especially f... [ Continue Reading ]
_one born in my house_ The childless master of the house is here represented as likely to be succeeded by a member of his household. Lot is ignored. For the favourable position of a trusted slave in an Israelite household, cf. 24; 1 Samuel 9:3-8; 1 Samuel 9:22; 1 Chronicles 2:34 ff.; Proverbs 17:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_tell the stars_ i.e. count. A proverbial expression for the infinite and innumerable, as in Genesis 22:17; Genesis 26:4. The word "tell" is Old English for "count," as in Psalms 22:17, "I may tell all my bones"; Psalms 48:12, "tell the towers thereof"; Jeremiah 33:13, "And in the cities of Judah s... [ Continue Reading ]
_he believed in the Lord_ Abram believed (1) in God's protection (Genesis 15:1), (2) in the fulfilment of the promise of a son (Genesis 15:4), and (3) of innumerable descendants (Genesis 15:5). It is this trust to which St Paul refers (Romans 4:18), "who in hope believed against hope, to the end tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_out of Ur of the Chaldees_ Possibly a later gloss: see note on Genesis 11:31; Genesis 12:1. Cf. Nehemiah 9:7-8.... [ Continue Reading ]
The Ratification of the Promise by a Solemn Covenant The occasion of the covenant is distinct from that described in Genesis 15:1; but the connexion of thought is obvious. It is the man of faith who has the privilege of vision and is admitted into direct covenant relation with his God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_whereby shall I know_ Abram requests a sign to assure him of the fulfilment of the promise: cf. the action of Gideon, Judges 6:17, and of Hezekiah, 2 Kings 20:8. On "Lord God," see note on Genesis 15:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take me an heifer_, &c. The sign to Abram is the sign of the covenant, of which the ceremonial is here described. This ceremonial is evidently of great antiquity. The writer, perhaps, intends to refer the origin of the institution to the time of Abram and to this occasion. The ceremony is as follow... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the birds of prey_, &c. The birds of prey, regarded as unclean, swooping down threatened to carry off the pieces of flesh. This would have interrupted the ceremony with an evil omen, polluted the sacrifice, and impaired the covenant. Abram drives away the birds of ill omen. In the context, thes... [ Continue Reading ]
_a deep sleep_ See note on the same word in Genesis 2:21. LXX ἔκστασις. _an horror of great darkness fell_ Lit. "an horror, even great darkness was falling." A vivid description of the sensation of terror, preliminary to the revelation he was to receive.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a stranger_ The word used (_gêr_) (LXX πάροικος) means more than a "sojourner" (cf. Genesis 23:4; Exodus 2:22). A stranger (_gêr_) is properly a guest residing in another country, whose rights are in a sense protected. He may be merely a temporary sojourner (_tôshâb_). But as a "stranger" (_gêr_)... [ Continue Reading ]
_will I judge_ Referring to the plagues of Egypt. _with great substance_ See Exodus 12:35-36; Psalms 105:37.... [ Continue Reading ]
_go to thy fathers_ i.e. depart in death to join thy forefathers in the place of departed spirits, i.e. _Sheôl_. Cf. Genesis 47:30, "when I sleep with my fathers"; Genesis 49:33, "was gathered unto his people." _a good old age_ See for the fulfilment of this promise, Genesis 25:7-8. To live to a goo... [ Continue Reading ]
_in the fourth generation_ This agrees with the genealogy in Exodus 6:16-20, where the generations are: (1) Levi, (2) Kohath, (3) Amram, (4) Moses. If the fourth generation is to be harmonized with the 400 years in Genesis 15:13, a generation must have been computed as 100 years. Isaac was born in A... [ Continue Reading ]
_a smoking furnace_ The sign of the covenant is given in the appearance of a kiln, from which issued smoke and a blazing torch; and this passed through the two rows of the divided carcases. The figure described as a "smoking furnace" (_tannur_) was that of a clay constructed kiln, or furnace, such a... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Lord made a covenant_ A covenant, or compact, as between man and man, is necessarily impossible between God and man. God in His mercy gives the promise; man in his weakness acknowledges his willingness to obey. For the other covenants in the Pentateuch cf. 9, 17; Exodus 24. The origin of _b'rît... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Kenite_ Dwellers in the S. of Canaan, connected with the Amalekites and noted for their subsequent friendly relations with Israel. Cf. Numbers 24:20-21; Judges 4:17; 1 Samuel 15:6. _the Kenizzite_ Also a people on the Edomite border of Canaan; cf. Kenaz, Genesis 36:11. Caleb, the head of the t... [ Continue Reading ]
The names of the ten peoples to be driven out by the Israelites. For other lists of these, cf. Exodus 3:8; Exodus 3:17; Exodus 13:5; Exodus 23:23; Exodus 34:11; Deuteronomy 7:1; Deuteronomy 20:17. Here only, are ten names given; usually only five or six are mentioned. The Kenite, the Kenizzite, the... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Hittite_ See note on Genesis 10:15. Probably indicating the presence of Hittite settlements in Canaan bands who had roamed southward from the great Hittite kingdom of the north. _the Perizzite, and the Rephaim_ See notes on Genesis 13:7; Genesis 14:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the Amorite_, &c. See Genesis 10:15-16.... [ Continue Reading ]