Genesis 15:2

Translations

Modern

But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

Traditional

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?

Literal

And Abram said, “O Lord YHWH, what can You give to me, and I go childless, and the son of possession of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

Latin

Dixitque Abram: Domine Deus, quid dabis mihi? ego vadam absque liberis, et filius procuratoris domus meæ iste Damascus Eliezer.

Original

Hebrew

English

But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

Notes

Genesis 15:2–3

Abram used wordplay to show his concern that Eliezer of Damascus (Hebrew dammeseq), a man in Abram's household, would become his heir (Hebrew ben-mesheq, which means “son of possession”). This was the usual practice when a man had no son.

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham God’s Covenant with Abraham God’s Covenant with David God’s Covenants God’s New Covenant Promised Land Security and Obedience Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 25:21
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
Genesis 12:1–3
Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.
1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
Acts 7:5
He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.
Genesis 44:1
Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack.
Genesis 24:2
So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
Isaiah 56:5
I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.
Genesis 24:10
Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.
Genesis 43:19
So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
Proverbs 17:2
A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.
Psalm 127:3
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
Genesis 39:4–6
Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.

Parallels

Romans 4:1–12 Hebrews 11:8–19

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Eliezer: Of Damascus, Abraham's servant and potential heir LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Places

Damascus: Ancient city, capital of Syria, important in biblical history

Glossary

Abraham Archaeology and the Bible Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Circumcision Covenant Ebla Tablets Eliezer Gematria Genesis, Book of God, Names of Heir History of Israel Inheritance Mamre (Place) Nuzi, Nuzi Tablets Patriarchs, Period of the Prayer Promise Torah

Topics

Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Abraham Children in Answer to Prayer: To Abraham Children: Not to Have: Considered an Affliction Condescension of God: Enters Into Covenant with Abraham Damascus: An Ancient City Eliezer: Abraham's Servant Steward: General Scriptures Concerning Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants

Genesis 15:2

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