Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:18

What does Genesis 15:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:18 means

On that very day, the Lord formalized His covenant with Abram, stating, "Unto thy seed have I given this land." This declaration is absolute and unconditional, confirming the promise of the land as a permanent inheritance for Abram's descendants. God then precisely defines the vast extent of this promised territory, stretching from the "river of Egypt" (likely the Wadi el-Arish) to the great Euphrates River. This defines an expansive dominion far beyond what the Israelites historically possessed, pointing to a future, ultimate fulfillment.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

In 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:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

In the same day the Lord 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:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

In 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:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

In that day the Lord made an agreement with Abram, and said, To your seed have I given this land from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

In that day hath Jehovah made with Abram a covenant, saying, `To thy seed I have given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Phrat,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That day God made a covenant with Abram, saying: To thy seed will I give this land, from the river to Egypt even to the great river Euphrates.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

On the same day Jehovah made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates;

Context

This verse directly follows the dramatic covenant ratification where God, symbolized by the smoking furnace and flaming torch, passed between the animal pieces. It explicitly states the covenant being made and immediately details the geographical boundaries of the promised land. This definitive declaration of the land's extent sets the stage for listing the nations currently inhabiting that territory, providing a comprehensive understanding of God's comprehensive and unconditional promise.

v.17And 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.

v.18This passage

v.19the Kenite, and the Kenizzite, and the Kadmonite,

Cross references

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

  • Numbers 34:2

    Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the borders thereof),

  • Joshua 12:1

    Now these are the kings of the land, whom the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising, from the valley of the Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the Arabah eastward:

  • 2 Samuel 8:3

    David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.

  • Joshua 1:3

    Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spake unto Moses.

  • Exodus 3:8

    and I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

  • Isaiah 55:3

    Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

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