Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:11

What does Genesis 15:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:11 means

As the prepared carcasses lay arranged for the covenant ceremony, birds of prey descend, attempting to scavenge the remains. Abram actively drives them away, protecting the sacrificial animals. This seemingly ordinary detail highlights Abram's diligent preservation of the offerings, ensuring the integrity of the ritual. It may also symbolize a spiritual struggle—an attempt by destructive forces to interfere with or disrupt the sacred act of covenant making between God and Abram, which Abram actively resists.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And evil birds came down on the bodies, but Abram sent them away.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the ravenous birds come down upon the carcases, and Abram causeth them to turn back.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the fowls came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the birds of prey came down on the carcases; and Abram scared them away.

Context

This verse immediately follows Abram's preparation of the animals for the covenant ritual. The appearance of the birds of prey introduces a brief interruption and a moment of vigilance for Abram. This episode leads directly into the deeper symbolic elements of the covenant ceremony, as Abram's subsequent deep sleep and the vision he receives unfold against the backdrop of this protected sacrifice, underscoring the sacredness of the occasion.

v.10And 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.

v.11This passage

v.12And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 13:4

    and as he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the birds came and devoured them:

  • Ezekiel 17:7

    There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend its roots toward him, and shot forth its branches toward him, from the beds of its plantation, that he might water it.

  • Psalms 119:13

    With my lips have I declared All the ordinances of thy mouth.

  • Ezekiel 17:3

    and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: A great eagle with great wings and long pinions, full of feathers, which had divers colors, came unto Lebanon, and took the top of the cedar:

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