Keraia
Genesis 15

Genesis 15:3

God’s Covenant with Abram · Genesis 15:1–7
Read Genesis 15

Translations

Modern
Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”
Traditional
And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
Literal
And Abram said, “Behold, You have not given to me offspring; and behold, a son of my house is inheriting me.”
Latin
Addiditque Abram: Mihi autem non dedisti semen, et ecce vernaculus meus, hæres meus erit.

Original

Hebrew
English
Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”

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.

Parallels

Romans 4:1–12 Hebrews 11:8–19

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people

Glossary

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

Topics

Adoption: General Scriptures Concerning Blessing: Temporal Blessings, Prayer For: Abraham Children in Answer to Prayer: To Abraham Children were Named: Sometimes Born when Parents Were Old Children: Not to Have: Considered an Affliction Condescension of God: Enters Into Covenant with Abraham Heir: General Scriptures Concerning Inheritance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants