Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:4

What does Genesis 15:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:4 means

In direct response to Abram's concerns, the Lord emphatically declares that Eliezer will not be his heir. Instead, God promises that Abram's true heir will be a son who will come forth "out of thine own bowels," meaning a direct biological descendant. This divine assurance explicitly clarifies that the promised seed will not be an adopted servant but a child of Abram's own body, thereby elevating the nature of the promise and offering a specific, personal hope to Abram regarding his lineage.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And, 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And, 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then said the Lord, This man will not get the heritage, but a son of your body will have your property after you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And lo, the word of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> unto him, saying, `This <FI>one<Fi> doth not heir thee; but he who cometh out from thy bowels, he doth heir thee;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying : He shall not be thy heir: but he that shall come out of thy bowels, him shalt thou have for thy heir.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And behold, the word of Jehovah [came] to him, saying, This shall not be thine heir, but he that will come forth out of thy body shall be thine heir.

Context

This verse is a crucial turning point, as God directly refutes Abram's assumption about Eliezer and offers a clear, specific promise regarding an heir. It provides the definitive answer to Abram's expressed anxieties in the preceding verses and immediately prepares the way for a more expansive vision of his future descendants, further developing the covenant promises.

v.3And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

v.4This passage

v.5And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Cross references

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

  • Galatians 4:28

    Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

  • 2 Samuel 16:11

    And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, who came forth from my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more may this Benjamite now do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for Jehovah hath bidden him.

  • Genesis 21:12

    And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy handmaid; in all that Sarah saith unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

  • Genesis 17:16

    And I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her.

  • 2 Chronicles 32:21

    And Jehovah sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth from his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

  • Philemon 1:12

    whom I have sent back to thee in his own person, that is, my very heart:

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Genesis 15

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Genesis 15.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 15:4.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary