Keraia
Genesis 15

Genesis 15:13

God Confirms His Promise · Genesis 15:8–21
Read Genesis 15

Translations

Modern
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.
Traditional
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;
Literal
And He said to Abram, “Know for certain that your seed will be a sojourner in a land not theirs, and they will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years.
Latin
Dictumque est ad eum: Scito prænoscens quod peregrinum futurum sit semen tuum in terra non sua, et subjicient eos servituti, et affligent quadringentis annis.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.

Notes

Genesis 15:13

  • mistreated: The same word appears in Exodus 1:11–12. Egypt, like "birds of prey" (Genesis 15:11), tried to destroy Israel and stop the fulfillment of the covenant.

  • four hundred years: This is probably an approximate number (also Acts 7:6; compare Exodus 12:40; Galatians 3:17). According to the Hebrew text's timeline, the family moved to Egypt around 1876 BC. The exodus happened around 1446 BC, but many scholars believe the Israelites left Egypt later, around 1270 BC (see Exodus Book Introduction, “The Date of the Exodus”).

Genesis 15:13–16

Not even 400 years of slavery could interfere with God’s plan to fulfill the covenant.

Genesis 15:7–21

In a special ceremony, God made a covenant with Abram and promised to do what he had said.

Genesis 15:1–21

God made a covenant (a special agreement) with Abram. In this covenant, God confirmed the promises he had made earlier when he summoned Abram to leave his country (12:1–3). Abram's descendants would experience a long period of slavery before God made these promises come true.

Parallels

Numbers 34:1–15 Romans 4:13–25

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Exodus Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Circumcision Covenant Curse, Cursed Ebla Tablets Exodus, the Foreigner Genesis, Book of Heir History of Israel Inheritance Land Mamre (Place) Patriarchs, Period of the Prayer Promise Torah

Topics

Abraham: Canaan Given To Afflictions and Adversities: Determines the Continuance of Afflictions: God Determines the Continuance of Condescension of God: Enters Into Covenant with Abraham Covenant of Men with Men by offering a Sacrifice Covenants: Made by Passing Between the Pieces of the Divided Sacrifices Egypt: Israel in Their Sojourn in It, Foretold Egypt: The Country of: Prophecies Against Israel: Lived in Egypt for Four-Hundred and Thirty Years Israel: Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies of Their Captivity in Eqypt Rulers: Wicked Sacrifices: The Covenants of God Confirmed By Sign: Asked for By, and Given to Abraham The Covenant: Made With: Abraham Time: Computed by Years Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants