Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:13

What does Genesis 15:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:13 means

God reveals to Abram a definitive prophecy: his descendants will be strangers in a foreign land that is not their own. There, they will be enslaved and afflicted for four hundred years. This chilling revelation clearly foretells the coming bondage in Egypt, specifying both the duration and the nature of their suffering. This difficult truth is presented as a certain future, a part of God's sovereign plan for bringing His people to the promised land.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to Abram, Truly, your seed will be living in a land which is not theirs, as servants to a people who will be cruel to them for four hundred years;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and He saith to Abram, `knowing--know that thy seed is a sojourner in a land not theirs, and they have served them, and they have afflicted them four hundred years,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And it was said unto him: Know thou beforehand that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land not their own, and they shall bring them under bondage, and afflict them four hundred years.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said to Abram, Know assuredly that thy seed will be a sojourner in a land [that is] not theirs, and they shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years.

Context

Building on the unsettling experience of the "horror of great darkness" in verse 12, God here begins to unveil specific details about the future of Abram's descendants. This verse lays out the first part of a challenging prophecy—their sojourning and affliction. This difficult truth provides a somber context for the land promises and sets up the subsequent divine judgment against their oppressors, revealing God's overarching plan despite the hardship.

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

v.13This passage

v.14and also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 1:1

    Now these are the names of the sons of Israel, who came into Egypt (every man and his household came with Jacob):

  • Acts 7:6

    And God spake on this wise, that his seed should sojourn in a strange land, and that they should bring them into bondage, and treat them ill, four hundred years.

  • Galatians 3:17

    Now this I say: A covenant confirmed beforehand by God, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, doth not disannul, so as to make the promise of none effect.

  • Exodus 23:9

    And a sojourner shalt thou not oppress: for ye know the heart of a sojourner, seeing ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

  • Acts 7:17

    But as the time of the promise drew nigh which God vouchsafed unto Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

  • Leviticus 19:34

    The stranger that sojourneth with you shall be unto you as the home-born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were sojourners in the land of Egypt: I am Jehovah your God.

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