Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:17

What does Genesis 15:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:17 means

As the sun completely sets and darkness falls, a dramatic visual manifestation of God's presence appears: a smoking furnace and a flaming torch. These symbols, representing God's holy presence and refining fire, pass between the divided animal pieces. This action formally ratifies the covenant. In ancient Near Eastern customs, both parties would walk through; here, only God, represented by these symbols, passes through, signifying His unconditional commitment to the covenant without requiring a reciprocal oath from Abram. It is a unilateral, solemn divine oath.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then when the sun went down and it was dark, he saw a smoking fire and a flaming light which went between the parts of the bodies.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And it cometh to pass--the sun hath gone in, and thick darkness hath been--and lo, a furnace of smoke, and a lamp of fire, which hath passed over between those pieces.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when the sun was set, there arose a dark mist, and there appeared a smoking furnace, and a lamp of fire passing between those divisions.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass when the sun had gone down, and it was dark, that behold, there was a smoking furnace, and a flame of fire which passed between those pieces.

Context

This verse describes the climactic moment of the covenant ceremony, immediately following the divine prophecies and assurances. The appearance of the smoking furnace and flaming torch in the deep darkness, passing between the divided pieces, is the visual confirmation of God's covenant oath. This powerful display directly precedes the explicit statement of the covenant made with Abram and the specific details of the land boundaries, sealing the promises in a tangible, unforgettable way.

v.16And in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.

v.17This passage

v.18In that day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Cross references

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

  • Jeremiah 11:4

    which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God;

  • Exodus 3:2

    And the angel of Jehovah appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:26

    And David built there an altar unto Jehovah, and offered burnt-offerings and peace-offerings, and called upon Jehovah; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt-offering.

  • Deuteronomy 4:20

    But Jehovah hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as at this day.

  • 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;

  • Judges 13:20

    For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of Jehovah ascended in the flame of the altar: and Manoah and his wife looked on; and they fell on their faces to the ground.

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