Genesis 15:3
What does Genesis 15:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 15:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 15:3 means
Abram reiterates his concern about not having a natural heir, emphasizing that God has not yet given him a child from his own body. He again highlights his current situation, where a servant born within his household is effectively positioned to be his heir. This repeating of his distress underscores the depth of his desire for a descendant and his struggle to reconcile God's promises with his present reality. He is not questioning God's power, but rather seeking clarity on how the promise of a great nation will be fulfilled through him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Abram said, You have given me no child, and a servant in my house will get the heritage.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Abram saith, `Lo, to me Thou hast not given seed, and lo, a domestic doth heir me.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Abram added: But to me thou hast not given seed: and lo my servant born in my house, shall be my heir.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Abram said, Lo, to me thou hast given no seed, and behold, a son of my house will be mine heir.
Context
Building on his statement in verse 2, Abram here expresses his concern with even greater directness. This repetition serves to intensely focus the conversation on the issue of an heir, which God quickly addresses in the very next verse. It highlights the tension between God's previous promises and Abram's current experience, making way for a direct divine clarification about the promised seed.
v.2And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?
v.3This passage
v.4And, behold, the word of Jehovah came unto him, saying, This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.
- Proverbs 29:21
He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last.
- Ecclesiastes 2:7
I bought men-servants and maid-servants, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of herds and flocks, above all that were before me in Jerusalem;
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