Devine Scripture

Genesis 15:5

What does Genesis 15:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 15:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 15:5 means

God leads Abram outside and directs his gaze toward the heavens, inviting him to count the stars if he can. This visual demonstration serves to illustrate the immensity of the promise regarding his descendants. Just as the stars are innumerable, so too will Abram's "seed"—his offspring or descendants—be exceedingly numerous. This promise transcends the immediate concern of a single heir, expanding to encompass a vast multitude, signifying the establishment of a great nation from him. It is a powerful, tangible image of an impossible future, made possible by God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took him out into the open air, and said to him, Let your eyes be lifted to heaven, and see if the stars may be numbered; even so will your seed be.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and He bringeth him out without, and saith, `Look attentively, I pray thee, towards the heavens, and count the stars, if thou art able to count them;' and He saith to him, `Thus is thy seed.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he led him out, and said, Look now toward the heavens, and number the stars, if thou be able to number them. And he said to him, So shall thy seed be!

Context

Following the specific promise of a biological heir in verse 4, God here expands the vision dramatically. He moves from the singular promise of a son to the vast multitude of descendants, using the stars as an unquantifiable metaphor. This expansive vision provides the backdrop for Abram's pivotal act of faith, recorded in the subsequent verse, and further solidifies the foundational promise of a great nation from him.

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.

v.5This passage

v.6And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Chronicles 27:23

    But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under, because Jehovah had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of heaven.

  • Deuteronomy 10:22

    Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now Jehovah thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

  • Genesis 22:17

    that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

  • Hebrews 11:12

    wherefore also there sprang of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand, which is by the sea-shore, innumerable.

  • Deuteronomy 1:10

    Jehovah your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude.

  • Romans 9:7

    neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

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