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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 15:3 Abram continued, "Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/15-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/01_Gen_15_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 15:3 - God's Covenant with Abram" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Abram continued, Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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so a servant in my household will be my heir.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abram also said, “Since You have given me no son, one who has been born in my house is my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And Abram said, &#8220Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Abram said, “Since Thou hast given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Abram said, “Since You have given no seed to me, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And Abram continued, “Since You have given no child to me, one (a servant) born in my house is my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abram continued, “Look, you have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abram continued, &#8220Look, You have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house in mine heir.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You have not given me any children, and this servant of mine will inherit everything." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You have given me no children, so this member of my household will be my heir."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Look!" Abram said, "You haven't given me any offspring, so a servant born in my house is going to be my heir."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Abram added, "Since you have not given me a descendant, then look, one born in my house will be my heir!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Abram said, "Look, to me you have given no offspring: and, look, one born in my house is my heir."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and lo, one born in my house is my heir.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abram says, “Behold, to me You have not given seed, and behold, a servant will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abram saith, 'Lo, to me Thou hast not given seed, and lo, a domestic doth heir me.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abram will say, Behold, to me thou gavest no seed, and behold the son of my house shall inherit me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Abram added: But to me thou hast not given seed: and lo my servant, born in my house, shall be my heir. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Abram added: “Yet to me you have not given offspring. And behold, my servant born in my house will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abram continued, “Look, you have given me no offspring, so a servant of my household will be my heir.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abram said, “You have given me no offspring, and so a slave born in my house is to be my heir.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abram said, Behold, thou hast given me no son; and, behold, one of the members of my household will be my heir.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abram said, “Behold, you have not given me a son, and behold, a tenant of my house is heir to me.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abram said: 'Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed, and, lo, one born in my house is to be mine heir.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abram said, <i>I am grieved</i> since thou hast given me no seed, but my home-born <i>servant</i> shall succeed me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/15-3.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=3128" 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's Covenant with Abram</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/87.htm" title="87: ’aḇ·rām (N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, the original name of Abraham. Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.">Abram</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">continued,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2005.htm" title="2005: hên (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! A primitive particle; lo!; also if.">“Behold,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nā·ṯat·tāh (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">You have given</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: zā·ra‘ (N-ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">offspring,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">so</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ḇen- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">a servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bê·ṯî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in my household</a> <a href="/hebrew/3423.htm" title="3423: yō·w·rêš (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or yaresh; a primitive root; to occupy; by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin.">will be my heir.”</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯî (DirObjM:: 1cs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”…<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="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a></span><br />I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18-19</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” / But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10-12</a></span><br />and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” / Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael. / But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Genesis 25:21-23</a></span><br />Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. / But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD, / and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-2</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Exodus 23:26</a></span><br />No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-11</a></span><br />In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/7-12.htm">2 Samuel 7:12-16</a></span><br />And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3</a></span><br />Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a></span><br />“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">Isaiah 56:3-5</a></span><br />Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Luke 1:13-14</a></span><br />But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. / He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-36.htm">Luke 1:36-37</a></span><br />Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a></span><br />But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18-21</a></span><br />Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abram said, Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, see, one born in my house is my heir.</p><p class="hdg">Behold.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a></b></br> And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a></b></br> And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, <i>then</i> shall thy seed also be numbered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-12.htm">Proverbs 13:12</a></b></br> Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but <i>when</i> the desire cometh, <i>it is</i> a tree of life.</p><p class="hdg">born.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Genesis 14:14</a></b></br> And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained <i>servants</i>, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued <i>them</i> unto Dan.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/29-21.htm">Proverbs 29:21</a></b></br> He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become <i>his</i> son at the length.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Proverbs 30:23</a></b></br> For an odious <i>woman</i> when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Children</a> <a href="/titus/2-5.htm">Domestic</a> <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/revelation/21-7.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/9-27.htm">Slave</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Children</a> <a href="/romans/14-4.htm">Domestic</a> <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Heir</a> <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">House</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Household</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/genesis/20-17.htm">Slave</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'; 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His dialogue with God in this passage reflects a personal and intimate relationship. This moment occurs after God has promised Abram numerous descendants, yet Abram is still childless. This ongoing conversation highlights Abram's faith journey and his struggle to understand God's promises.<p><b>Behold, You have given me no offspring</b><br>Abram's statement underscores his deep concern and disappointment regarding his lack of children. In the ancient Near Eastern context, having offspring was crucial for legacy and inheritance. Children were seen as a blessing from God, and the absence of children could be perceived as a lack of divine favor. Abram's lament is a candid expression of his doubt and longing for the fulfillment of God's promise.<p><b>so a servant in my household will be my heir</b><br>In the absence of a biological heir, it was customary for a servant or a trusted member of the household to inherit the estate. Abram refers to Eliezer of Damascus, as mentioned earlier in <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a>. This practice was common in the ancient world, where legal customs allowed for the adoption of a servant as an heir. Abram's statement reflects his practical consideration of the situation, yet it also sets the stage for God's reaffirmation of His promise to provide Abram with a son. This moment foreshadows the miraculous birth of Isaac, through whom God's covenant with Abram would be fulfilled.<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 expressing his concern to God about having no biological heir. He is later renamed Abraham and is a key patriarch in the Bible.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eliezer_of_damascus.htm">Eliezer of Damascus</a></b><br>Although not mentioned by name in this verse, Eliezer is the servant Abram refers to. According to <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Genesis 15:2</a>, he is the potential heir of Abram's estate due to the lack of a biological son.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god's_covenant_with_abram.htm">God's Covenant with Abram</a></b><br>This chapter is part of the larger account where God establishes a covenant with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and land.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_amidst_doubt.htm">Faith Amidst Doubt</a></b><br>Abram's expression of doubt is a natural human response, yet it is set within a context of faith. Believers can bring their concerns to God, trusting in His promises even when circumstances seem contrary.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing_vs._human_timing.htm">God's Timing vs. Human Timing</a></b><br>Abram's situation reminds us that God's timing often differs from our own. Patience and trust in God's plan are crucial for believers.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_heirs_in_god's_plan.htm">The Role of Heirs in God's Plan</a></b><br>The concept of an heir is significant in biblical accounts, symbolizing the continuation of God's promises. Believers are spiritual heirs through faith in Christ, as seen in the New Testament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenant.htm">The Importance of Covenant</a></b><br>God's covenant with Abram is foundational for understanding the biblical account. It underscores God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His 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/what_is_the_law_of_first_mention.htm">What is the Law of First Mention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_ymca_and_ywca.htm">Who was Eliezer in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_eliezer_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Eliezer in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_protoevangelium.htm">What is the Protoevangelium?</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>(3) <span class= "bld">One born in my house.</span>--This is a mistake. Those born in Abram's house were his servants (<a href="/genesis/14-14.htm" title="And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them to Dan.">Genesis 14:14</a>). The Hebrew is, <span class= "ital">the son of my house, </span>my house-son, not born of me, but the chief of the house next to myself, and its representative. Eliezer was probably born at Damascus.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house</span> (literally, <span class="accented">the son of my</span> house, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> Eliezer) <span class="cmt_word">is mine heir.</span> The language of the patriarch discovers three things: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> a natural desire to have a child of his own; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> a struggle to hold on by the promise in face of almost insuperable difficulties; and <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> an obvious unwillingness to part with the hope that the promise, however seemingly impossible, would eventually be realized. This unwillingness it was which caused him, as it were, so pathetically to call the Divine attention to his childless condition; in response to which he received an assurance that must have thrilled his anxious heart with joy. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/15-3.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">Abram</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_87.htm">Strong's 87: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham</span><br /><br /><span class="word">continued,</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">“Behold,</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֣ן</span> <span class="translit">(hên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2005.htm">Strong's 2005: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You have given</span><br /><span class="heb">נָתַ֖תָּה</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯat·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">offspring,</span><br /><span class="heb">זָ֑רַע</span> <span class="translit">(zā·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so a servant</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶן־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇen-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in my household</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּיתִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(bê·ṯî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will be my heir.”</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹרֵ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·rêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3423.htm">Strong's 3423: </a> </span><span class="str2">To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/15-3.htm">Genesis 15:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">OT Law: Genesis 15:3 Abram said Behold to me you have (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/15-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 15:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/15-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 15:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:4" /></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>