English Standard Version
Genesis 15:8
8But he said, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?"
Genesis 15:8 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
- New International Version (NIV)But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”
- New King James Version (NKJV)And he said, “Lord God, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”
- New Living Translation (NLT)But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”
Context of Genesis 15:8
6And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 7And he said to him, "I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess." But he said, "O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?" 9He said to him, "Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." 10And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half.
Read all of Genesis 15Genesis 15:8 word by word
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהוִ֔ה בַּמָּ֥ה אֵדַ֖ע כִּ֥י אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Genesis 15:8
- Genesis 24:2And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, "Put your hand under my thigh,
- Judges 6:17And he said to him, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me.
- 1 Samuel 14:9If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you,' then we will stand still in our place, and we will not go up to them.
- 2 Kings 20:8And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord on the third day?"
- Psalms 86:17Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.
- Isaiah 7:11"Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven."
- Luke 1:18And Zechariah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
Commentaries on Genesis 15:8
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8And he said, Lord God - יהוה אדני Adonai Yehovah, my Lord Jehovah. Adonai is the word which the Jews in reading always substitute for Jehovah, as they count it impious to pronounce this name. Adonai signifies my director, basis, supporter, prop, or stay; and scarcely a more appropriate name can be given to that God who is the framer and director of every righteous word and action; the basis or foundation on which every rational hope rests; the supporter…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-21Verses 1-21 - The Faith of Abram 1. דבר dābār “a word, a thing;” the word being the sign of the thing. 2. אדני 'ǎdonāy “Adonai, the Lord;” related: “bring down, lay down.” This is the name usually read in place of Yahweh; but when, as in the present case, יהוה yehovâh and אדני 'ǎdonāy are in apposition, אלהים 'ĕlohı̂ym is read instead of the former. The Jews from a feeling of reverence avoided the utterance of this sacred name except on the most…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-11Verses 7-11 Assurance was given to Abram of the land of Canaan for an inheritance. God never promises more than he is able to perform, as men often do. Abram did as God commanded him. He divided the beasts in the midst, according to the ceremony used in confirming covenants, Jer 34:18, 19. Having prepared according to God's appointment, he set himself to wait for the sign God might give him. A watch must be kept upon our spiritual sacrifices. When vain…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-21In a special ceremony, God made a covenant with Abram and promised to do what he had said.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-211. After these things--the conquest of the invading kings. the word of the Lord--a phrase used, when connected with a vision, to denote a prophetic message. Fear not, Abram--When the excitement of the enterprise was over, he had become a prey to despondency and terror at the probable revenge that might be meditated against him. To dispel his fear, he was favored with this gracious announcement. Having such a promise, how well did it become him (and all…Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 15:8
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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