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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So the LORD said to him, &#8220Bring me a heifer, a goat and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The LORD told him, “Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He 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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So He said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So He said to him, &#8220Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So God said to him, “Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said to him, “Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He said to him, &#8220Bring Me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then the LORD told him, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a dove, and a young pigeon." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He 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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He answered, "Bring me a cow, a goat, and a ram, each of them three years old, and a dove and a pigeon." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the LORD said to him, ?Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The LORD said to him, "Take for me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a dove and a young pigeon."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he 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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he said to him, Take me a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He 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.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He says to him, “Take for Me a heifer of three years, and a female goat of three years, and a ram of three years, and a turtle-dove, and a young bird”;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He saith unto him, 'Take for Me a heifer of three years, and a she-goat of three years, and a ram of three years, and a turtle-dove, and a young bird;'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will say to him, Take to me a heifer of three, and a goat of three, and a ram of three, and a turtle dove, and a young pigeon.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the Lord answered, and said: Take me a cow of three years old, and a she goat of three years, and a ram of three years, a turtle also, and a pigeon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the Lord responded by saying: “Take for me a cow of three years, and a she-goat of three years, and a ram of three years, also a turtle-dove and a pigeon.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He answered him: Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He 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.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he said to him, Take for yourself a heifer, three years old, a three year old ram, a three year old she-goat, a pigeon, and a young dove.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he said to him, “Take to you a threeyearold calf and a threeyearold ram and a three year old goat and a pigeon and a son of doves.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And He said unto him: 'Take Me a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said to him, Take for me an heifer in her third year, and a she-goat in her third year, and a ram in his third year, and a dove and a pigeon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/15-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3178" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">God Confirms His Promise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8</span>But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?” <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">And the LORD said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: qə·ḥāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">“Bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/8027.htm" title="8027: mə·šul·le·šeṯ (V-Pual-Prtcpl-fsc) -- A primitive root perhaps originally to intensify, i.e. Treble; but apparently used only as denominative from shalowsh, to be triplicate."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5697.htm" title="5697: ‘eḡ·lāh (N-fs) -- A heifer. Feminine of egel; a calf, especially one nearly grown.">a heifer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8027.htm" title="8027: mə·šul·le·šeṯ (V-Pual-Prtcpl-fsc) -- A primitive root perhaps originally to intensify, i.e. Treble; but apparently used only as denominative from shalowsh, to be triplicate."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5795.htm" title="5795: wə·‘êz (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Female goat. From azaz; a she-goat, but masculine in plural.">a goat,</a> <a href="/hebrew/352.htm" title="352: wə·’a·yil (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- From the same as 'uwl; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief; also a ram; a pilaster; an oak or other strong tree.">and a ram,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8027.htm" title="8027: mə·šul·lāš (V-Pual-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root perhaps originally to intensify, i.e. Treble; but apparently used only as denominative from shalowsh, to be triplicate.">each three years old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8449.htm" title="8449: wə·ṯōr (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Turtledove. Or tor; probably the same as towr; a ring-dove, often as a term of endearment.">along with a turtledove</a> <a href="/hebrew/1469.htm" title="1469: wə·ḡō·w·zāl (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Young birds. Or gozal; from gazal; a nestling.">and a young pigeon.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Hebrews 9:13-14</a></span><br />For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that their bodies are clean, / how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/29-10.htm">Exodus 29:10-14</a></span><br />You are to present the bull at the front of the Tent of Meeting, and Aaron and his sons are to lay their hands on its head. / And you shall slaughter the bull before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. / Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/1-3.htm">Leviticus 1:3-17</a></span><br />If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. / And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-18.htm">Jeremiah 34:18-19</a></span><br />And those who have transgressed My covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces. / The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Isaiah 53:7</a></span><br />He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-1.htm">Romans 12:1</a></span><br />Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/9-2.htm">Leviticus 9:2-4</a></span><br />He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD. / Then speak to the Israelites and say, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering, a calf and a lamb—both a year old and without blemish—for a burnt offering, / an ox and a ram for a peace offering to sacrifice before the LORD, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a></span><br />But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-1.htm">Hebrews 10:1-10</a></span><br />For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2-6</a></span><br />“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke. / Give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will have it brought outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence. / Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-33.htm">1 Kings 18:33</a></span><br />Next, he arranged the wood, cut up the bull, placed it on the wood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/50-5.htm">Psalm 50:5</a></span><br />“Gather to Me My saints, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-5.htm">2 Chronicles 7:5</a></span><br />And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-29.htm">John 1:29</a></span><br />The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a></span><br />God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he said to him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-13.htm">Genesis 22:13</a></b></br> And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind <i>him</i> a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/1-3.htm">Leviticus 1:3,10,14</a></b></br> If his offering <i>be</i> a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/3-1.htm">Leviticus 3:1,6</a></b></br> And if his oblation <i>be</i> a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer <i>it</i> of the herd; whether <i>it be</i> a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/9-2.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Cow</a> <a href="/genesis/8-12.htm">Dove</a> <a href="/genesis/12-16.htm">Female</a> <a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Goat</a> <a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Heifer</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-6.htm">Pigeon</a> <a href="/luke/3-33.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/genesis/13-5.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">She-Goat</a> <a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Three</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Turtledove</a> <a href="/jeremiah/8-7.htm">Turtle-Dove</a> <a href="/genesis/14-24.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/15-10.htm">Bird</a> <a href="/exodus/25-5.htm">Cow</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-14.htm">Dove</a> <a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Female</a> <a href="/genesis/37-31.htm">Goat</a> <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Heifer</a> <a href="/leviticus/1-14.htm">Pigeon</a> <a href="/genesis/22-13.htm">Ram</a> <a href="/genesis/20-14.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">She-Goat</a> <a href="/genesis/18-2.htm">Three</a> <a href="/leviticus/12-6.htm">Turtledove</a> <a href="/psalms/74-19.htm">Turtle-Dove</a> <a href="/genesis/18-7.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">God encourages Abram, who asks for an heir.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">God promises him a son, and a multiplying of his seed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Abram is justified by faith.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Canaan is promised again, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-9.htm">and confirmed by a sign, and a vision,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">prophetic of the condition of his posterity till brought out of Egypt.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And the LORD said to him</b><br>This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Abram, emphasizing the personal relationship and covenantal dialogue between them. It reflects the pattern of divine revelation seen throughout the Old Testament, where God speaks to His chosen individuals to guide and establish His purposes. This communication is foundational for the Abrahamic Covenant, a pivotal moment in biblical history.<p><b>Bring Me a heifer</b><br>The heifer, a young female cow, is significant in ancient sacrificial practices. In the context of Genesis, the heifer is part of a covenant ritual. The heifer's use in sacrifices is later seen in the Mosaic Law (<a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2</a>) and symbolizes purification and atonement. The heifer's role in this covenant foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who purifies believers from sin.<p><b>a goat</b><br>The goat is another animal commonly used in sacrificial offerings, representing sin and atonement. In <a href="/leviticus/16.htm">Leviticus 16</a>, goats are used on the Day of Atonement, with one being sacrificed and the other, the scapegoat, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people. This prefigures Christ's atoning work, where He bears the sins of humanity.<p><b>and a ram</b><br>Rams are often associated with substitutionary sacrifice, as seen in the story of Abraham and Isaac (<a href="/genesis/22-13.htm">Genesis 22:13</a>), where a ram is provided by God as a substitute for Isaac. This act of substitution is a type of Christ, who is the ultimate substitute for humanity's sins. The ram's inclusion in the covenant ritual underscores themes of provision and redemption.<p><b>each three years old</b><br>The specification of the animals being three years old suggests maturity and completeness, qualities necessary for a proper sacrifice. This detail highlights the importance of offering the best to God, a principle seen throughout Scripture. The number three often symbolizes divine completeness and perfection, pointing to the triune nature of God and the perfection of Christ's sacrifice.<p><b>along with a turtledove and a young pigeon</b><br>These birds are included as part of the sacrificial offerings, often used by those who could not afford larger animals (<a href="/leviticus/5-7.htm">Leviticus 5:7</a>). Their presence in the covenant ritual indicates God's provision for all, regardless of economic status. The use of birds in sacrifices is later seen in the purification rites of Mary after Jesus' birth (<a href="/luke/2-24.htm">Luke 2:24</a>), connecting the covenant with the coming of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (Abraham)</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Abram is in a covenant dialogue with God. He is later renamed Abraham and is considered the father of faith.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>God is speaking directly to Abram, instructing him on the covenant ritual. This interaction is part of God's unfolding plan for Abram and his descendants.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant_ceremony.htm">Covenant Ceremony</a></b><br>The event described is a covenant-making process, where specific animals are used in a ritual to formalize God's promises to Abram.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_covenant.htm">Understanding Covenant</a></b><br>The covenant is a solemn agreement that involves commitments and promises. In <a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15</a>, God formalizes His promises to Abram through a covenant, emphasizing the seriousness and binding nature of His word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_sacrifice.htm">Symbolism of Sacrifice</a></b><br>The specific animals mentioned (heifer, goat, ram, turtledove, pigeon) were common in ancient Near Eastern covenant rituals. Each animal represents a part of the sacrificial system that points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a></b><br>Abram's willingness to follow God's instructions without question demonstrates his faith. This obedience is a model for believers, showing that faith often requires action.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The covenant ceremony underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His word, just as He did with Abram.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_greater_revelation.htm">Preparation for Greater Revelation</a></b><br>This covenant is a precursor to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. Understanding the Old Testament covenants helps believers appreciate the depth of God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_blood_thicker_than_covenant_ties.htm">Is blood thicker than water in covenant relationships?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_require_animal_sacrifice_in_genesis_15.htm">Why would a loving God require a covenant ritual involving the killing of animals in Genesis 15:9–10? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/insights_on_day_27's_spiritual_growth.htm">What is the significance of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_records_of_this_covenant's_breach.htm">Jeremiah 34:18–20 – If ancient covenant rituals had such dire consequences, why is there little to no concrete historical record of this specific covenant’s breach and punishment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9, 10) <span class= "bld">Take me an heifer . . . --</span>This form of making a covenant was probably that usual in Babylonia, and thus Abram received the assurance of his inheritance by means of a ceremonial with which he was familiar. But in most ancient languages men are said to <span class= "ital">cut </span>or <span class= "ital">strike </span>a covenant, because the most solemn formula involved either the cutting of victims in two, or striking them dead, as was the Roman manner. The severing of the bodies was not, as some suppose, to represent the two parties; but, as explained in <a href="/context/jeremiah/34-18.htm" title="And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in two, and passed between the parts thereof,">Jeremiah 34:18-20</a>, it set forth the penalty of perjury, and was usually accompanied by the imprecation upon the covenant-breaker of a destruction as complete as that which had befallen the slaughtered animals. There is no mention in this place of a sacrifice, although the animals are those subsequently set apart for sacrifice by the Levitical law. The heifer, she-goat, and ram at three years old would each have attained its full maturity; but there may be a further symbolic meaning in there being three animals each three years old.<p><span class= "bld">Laid each piece . . . --</span>More exactly, <span class= "ital">and laid each half over against the other. </span>The birds were not divided; but as there were two, Abram probably placed one on one side and one on the other.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he said unto him, Take me</span> (literally, <span class="accented">for</span> me, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> for my use in sacrifice) <span class="cmt_word">an heifer of three years old</span>. So rightly (LXX., Syriac, Samaritan, Arabic, Josephus, Bochart, Rosenmüller, Keil); not three heifers (Onkelos, Jarchi, Kimchi, <span class="accented">et alii</span>). <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>And a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old</span>. These offerings, afterwards prescribed by the law (<a href="/exodus/29-15.htm">Exodus 29:15</a>; <a href="/numbers/15-27.htm">Numbers 15:27</a>; <a href="/numbers/19-2.htm">Numbers 19:2</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/21-3.htm">Deuteronomy 21:3</a>), were three in number, and of three years each, to symbolize him who was, and is, and is to come (Wordsworth); perhaps rather to indicate-the perfection of the victim in respect of maturity (Murphy). Cf. Ganymede's offering (in 'Lucian's Dialogues') of a three years old ram for a ransom. <span class="cmt_word">And a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon</span> - also prescribed by the law (<a href="/leviticus/1-14.htm">Leviticus 1:14</a>; <a href="/luke/2-24.htm">Luke 2:24</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/15-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And [the LORD] said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Bring</span><br /><span class="heb">קְחָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Me</span><br /><span class="heb">לִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">a heifer,</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶגְלָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘eḡ·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5697.htm">Strong's 5697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A, calf, one nearly grown</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a goat,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵ֥ז</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘êz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5795.htm">Strong's 5795: </a> </span><span class="str2">Female goat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a ram,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַ֣יִל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’a·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_352.htm">Strong's 352: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength, strong, a chief, a ram, a pilaster, an oak, strong tree</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[each] three years old,</span><br /><span class="heb">מְשֻׁלָּ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·šul·lāš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8027.htm">Strong's 8027: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do a third time, divide into three parts</span><br /><br /><span class="word">along with a turtledove</span><br /><span class="heb">וְתֹ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṯōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8449.htm">Strong's 8449: </a> </span><span class="str2">A ring-dove, a term of endearment</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a young pigeon.”</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגוֹזָֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡō·w·zāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1469.htm">Strong's 1469: </a> </span><span class="str2">Young birds</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/15-9.htm">Genesis 15:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/15-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 15:9 He said to him Bring me (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/15-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 15:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/15-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 15:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>