Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:10

What does Genesis 15:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:10 means

Abram promptly obeys God's instructions, taking the specified animals and meticulously dividing the larger ones down the middle. He then arranges each half opposite the other, creating a path or aisle between the divided carcasses. Significantly, he does not divide the birds. This action is consistent with ancient Near Eastern covenant-cutting rituals, where parties would walk between the divided pieces, symbolically invoking a curse upon themselves if they broke the agreement. This preparation underscores the solemnity and gravity of the covenant God is about to make.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

All these he took, cutting them in two and putting one half opposite the other, but not cutting the birds in two.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he taketh to him all these, and separateth them in the midst, and putteth each piece over against its fellow, but the bird he hath not divided;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he took all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid the two pieces of each one against the other: but the birds he divided not.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he took all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid the half of each opposite its fellow; but the birds he did not divide.

Context

This verse describes Abram's obedient execution of God's instructions from verse 9, setting up the physical arrangement for the covenant ceremony. The act of dividing the animals and placing the halves opposite each other is crucial for understanding the ritual that follows. The distinction of not dividing the birds will become significant as the narrative progresses, hinting at the unique nature of this divine covenant.

v.9And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.

v.10This passage

v.11And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 15:17

    And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.

  • Jeremiah 34:18

    And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, that have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before me, when they cut the calf in twain and passed between the parts thereof;

  • Leviticus 1:17

    and he shall rend it by the wings thereof, but shall not divide it asunder. And the priest shall burn it upon the altar, upon the wood that is upon the fire: it is a burnt-offering, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto Jehovah.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 15:10.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary