God’s Word Translation
Genesis 15:10
10So Abram brought all these animals to him. He cut each of them in half and laid each half opposite the other. However, he did not cut the birds in half.
Genesis 15:10 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
- New International Version (NIV)Abram brought all these to him, cut them in two and arranged the halves opposite each other; the birds, however, he did not cut in half.
- English Standard Version (ESV)And 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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, down the middle, and placed each piece opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds in two.
Context of Genesis 15:10
8Abram asked, “Almighty Lord, how can I be certain that I will take possession of it?” 9He answered Abram, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a mourning dove, and a pigeon.” So Abram brought all these animals to him. He cut each of them in half and laid each half opposite the other. However, he did not cut the birds in half. 11When birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, Abram drove them away. 12As the sun was just about to set, a deep sleep—a dreadful, deep darkness—came over Abram.
Read all of Genesis 15Genesis 15:10 word by word
וַיִּֽקַּֽח־ל֣וֹ אֶת־כָּל־אֵ֗לֶּה וַיְבַתֵּ֤ר אֹתָם֙ בַּתָּ֔וֶךְ וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אִישׁ־בִּתְר֖וֹ לִקְרַ֣את רֵעֵ֑הוּ וְאֶת־הַצִפֹּ֖ר לֹ֥א בָתָֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he tookלָקַחlâqach · to take: bringH3947
- unto him all these, and dividedבָּתַרbâthar · to cut upH1334
- them in the midstתָּ֫וֶךְtâvek · midstH8432
- and laidנָתַןnâthan · to give: putH5414
- eachאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
- pieceבֶּ֫תֶרbether · partH1335
- one againstקִרְאָהqir'âh · befallH7125
- anotherרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
- but the birdsצִפּוֹרtsippôr tsippôr · birdH6833
Cross-references for Genesis 15:10
- Jeremiah 34:18I will hand over the people who have rejected my promise. They have not kept the terms of the promise which they made in my presence when they cut a calf in two and passed between its pieces.
- 2 Timothy 2:15Do your best to present yourself to God as a tried-and-true worker who isn’t ashamed to teach the word of truth correctly.
- Leviticus 1:17Then pull on the bird’s wings to tear the bird open, but don’t pull the wings off. Then the priest will lay the bird on the wood burning on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering by fire, a soothing aroma to the Lord.”
Commentaries on Genesis 15:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10Divided them in the midst - The ancient method of making covenants as well as the original word, have been already alluded to, and in a general way explained. See Genesis 6:18. The word covenant from con, together, and venio, I come, signifies an agreement, association, or meeting between two or more parties; for it is impossible that a covenant can be made between an individual and himself, whether God or man. This is a theological absurdity into which…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. 10Obeying God's instructions, Abram collected three herd animals for the ceremony and cut them in half. Cutting the animals symbolized the oath. It showed that the person making the covenant risked his own life if he did not keep his promise (Jeremiah 34:18).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 9-219-21. Take me an heifer, &c.--On occasions of great importance, when two or more parties join in a compact, they either observe precisely the same rites as Abram did, or, where they do not, they invoke the lamp as their witness. According to these ideas, which have been from time immemorial engraven on the minds of Eastern people, the Lord Himself condescended to enter into covenant with Abram. The patriarch did not pass between the sacrifice and the…Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 15:10
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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