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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 15:13 Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/15-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/01_Gen_15_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 15:13 - God Confirms His Promise" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the LORD said to Abram, Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years." /><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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and they shall afflict them four hundred years; <a href="/nkjv/genesis/15.htm">New King James Version</a> Then He said to Abram: “Know certainly that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. <a href="/nasb/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> God said to Abram, &#8220Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. <a href="/lsb/genesis/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your seed will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. <a href="/amp/genesis/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> God said to Abram, “Know for sure that your descendants will be strangers [living temporarily] in a land (Egypt) that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. <a href="/csb/genesis/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know this for certain: Your offspring will be resident aliens for four hundred years in a land that does not belong to them and will be enslaved and oppressed. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, &#8220Know this for certain: Your offspring will be foreigners in a land that does not belong to them; they will be enslaved and oppressed 400 years. <a href="/asv/genesis/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; <a href="/erv/genesis/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; <a href="/gwt/genesis/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God said to Abram, "You can know for sure that your descendants will live in a land that is not their own, where they will be slaves, and they will be oppressed for 400 years. <a href="/gnt/genesis/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> The LORD said to him, "Your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land; they will be slaves there and will be treated cruelly for four hundred years. <a href="/isv/genesis/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. <a href="/msb/genesis/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, ?Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. <a href="/net/genesis/15.htm">NET Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign country. They will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. <a href="/nheb/genesis/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs; and they will be servants there. And they will oppress them four hundred years. <a href="/wbt/genesis/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he said to Abram, Know certainly that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; <a href="/web/genesis/15.htm">World English Bible</a> He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and He says to Abram, “knowing—know that your seed is a sojourner in a land not theirs, and they have served them, and they have afflicted them four hundred years, <a href="/ylt/genesis/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and He saith to Abram, 'knowing -- know that thy seed is a sojourner in a land not theirs, and they have served them, and they have afflicted them four hundred years, <a href="/slt/genesis/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say to Abram, Knowing thou shalt know that thy seed shall be a sojourner in the land not to them; and they shall serve them and they shall humble them four hundred years.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And it was said unto him: Know thou beforehand that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land not their own, and they shall bring them under bondage, and afflict them four hundred years. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And it was said to him: “Know beforehand that your future offspring will be sojourners in a land not their own, and they will subjugate them in servitude and afflict them for four hundred years. <a href="/nabre/genesis/15.htm">New American Bible</a> Then the LORD said to Abram: Know for certain that your descendants will reside as aliens in a land not their own, where they shall be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know this for certain, that your offspring shall be aliens in a land that is not theirs, and shall be slaves there, and they shall be oppressed for four hundred years;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the LORD said to Abram, Know of a surety that your descendants shall be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and shall be in servitude: and they shall afflict them for four hundred years; <a href="/hpbt/genesis/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said to Abram, “Surely you shall know that your seed shall be an inhabitant in a land that is not theirs, and they shall serve them, and they shall subject them four hundred years;<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And He said unto Abram: 'Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; <a href="/sep/genesis/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it was said to Abram, Thou shalt surely know that thy seed shall be a sojourner in a land not their won, and they shall enslave them, and afflict them, and humble them four hundred years. <a href="/parallel/genesis/15-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3213" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">God Confirms His Promise</a> …12As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and suddenly great terror and darkness overwhelmed him. 13<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">Then the LORD said</a> <a href="/hebrew/87.htm" title="87: lə·’aḇ·rām (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, the original name of Abraham. Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.">to Abram,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏō·a‘ (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">“Know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: tê·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">for certain</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: zar·‘ă·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">your descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will be</a> <a href="/hebrew/1616.htm" title="1616: ḡêr (N-ms) -- A sojourner. Or geyr; from guwr; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner.">strangers</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: bə·’e·reṣ (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">in a land</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.">that is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">their own,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5647.htm" title="5647: wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏūm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp:: 3mp) -- To work, serve. A primitive root; to work; by implication, to serve, till, enslave, etc.">and they will be enslaved</a> <a href="/hebrew/6031.htm" title="6031: wə·‘in·nū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To be bowed down or afflicted. A primitive root; to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">and mistreated</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/702.htm" title="702: ’ar·ba‘ (Number-fsc) -- Four. Masculine oarbaah; from raba'; four.">four</a> <a href="/hebrew/3967.htm" title="3967: mê·’ō·wṯ (Number-fp) -- Hundred. Or metyah; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction.">hundred</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years.</a> 14But I will judge the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will depart with many possessions.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40-41</a> Now the duration of the Israelites’ stay in Egypt was 430 years. / At the end of the 430 years, to the very day, all the LORD’s divisions went out of the land of Egypt. <a href="/acts/7-6.htm">Acts 7:6-7</a> God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’ <a href="/exodus/1-8.htm">Exodus 1:8-14</a> Then a new king, who did not know Joseph, came to power in Egypt. / “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become too numerous and too powerful for us. / Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” ... <a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Deuteronomy 26:5-6</a> and you are to declare before the LORD your God, “My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt few in number and lived there and became a great nation, mighty and numerous. / But the Egyptians mistreated us and afflicted us, putting us to hard labor. <a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Psalm 105:23-25</a> Then Israel entered Egypt; Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham. / And the LORD made His people very fruitful, more numerous than their foes, / whose hearts He turned to hate His people, to conspire against His servants. <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7-10</a> The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. / And now the cry of the Israelites has reached Me, and I have seen how severely the Egyptians are oppressing them. ... <a href="/exodus/6-5.htm">Exodus 6:5-6</a> Furthermore, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant. / Therefore tell the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. <a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">Exodus 1:1-7</a> These are the names of the sons of Israel who went to Egypt with Jacob, each with his family: / Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah; / Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin; ... <a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23-25</a> After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / God saw the Israelites and took notice. <a href="/exodus/11-1.htm">Exodus 11:1</a> Then the LORD said to Moses, “I will bring upon Pharaoh and Egypt one more plague. After that, he will allow you to leave this place. And when he lets you go, he will drive you out completely. <a href="/exodus/12-35.htm">Exodus 12:35-36</a> Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians. <a href="/exodus/13-14.htm">Exodus 13:14</a> In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. <a href="/exodus/14-30.htm">Exodus 14:30-31</a> That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore. / When Israel saw the great power that the LORD had exercised over the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and believed in Him and in His servant Moses. <a href="/acts/13-17.htm">Acts 13:17</a> The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land. <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Hebrews 11:9-10</a> By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he said to Abram, Know of a surety that your seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not their's, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;thy.<a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Genesis 17:8</a> And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.<a href="/exodus/1-1.htm">Exodus 1:1-2:25</a> Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob… <a href="/exodus/5-1.htm">Exodus 5:1-23</a> And afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go, that they may hold a feast unto me in the wilderness… four.<a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40,41</a> Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years… <a href="/galatians/3-17.htm">Galatians 3:17</a> And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-12.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/revelation/2-22.htm">Afflict</a> <a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Assuredly</a> <a href="/genesis/14-10.htm">Country</a> <a href="/revelation/14-10.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-19.htm">Enslaved</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">Foreigners</a> <a href="/genesis/14-11.htm">Four</a> <a href="/genesis/14-14.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/genesis/13-18.htm">Live</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">Oppressed</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/14-15.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/genesis/6-21.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/14-4.htm">Served</a> <a href="/genesis/9-25.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/acts/7-29.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/1_peter/1-1.htm">Sojourners</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-9.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/3_john/1-5.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/hebrews/7-22.htm">Surety</a> <a href="/genesis/11-6.htm">Theirs</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/31-50.htm">Afflict</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Assuredly</a> <a href="/genesis/17-12.htm">Country</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Cruel</a> <a href="/genesis/15-16.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/isaiah/14-3.htm">Enslaved</a> <a href="/genesis/31-15.htm">Foreigners</a> <a href="/genesis/23-15.htm">Four</a> <a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Hundred</a> <a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Live</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Oppressed</a> <a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/15-14.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/genesis/15-14.htm">Serve</a> <a href="/genesis/29-20.htm">Served</a> <a href="/genesis/15-14.htm">Slaves</a> <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Sojourner</a> <a href="/genesis/36-7.htm">Sojourners</a> <a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/genesis/31-15.htm">Strangers</a> <a href="/genesis/20-7.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/genesis/18-13.htm">Surety</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Theirs</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 15</div>1. <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">God encourages Abram, who asks for an heir.</a> 4. <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">God promises him a son, and a multiplying of his seed.</a> 6. <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Abram is justified by faith.</a> 7. <a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Canaan is promised again, </a> 9. <a href="/genesis/15-9.htm">and confirmed by a sign, and a vision,</a> 18. <a href="/genesis/15-18.htm">prophetic of the condition of his posterity till brought out of Egypt.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Then the LORD said to Abram This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Abram, emphasizing the personal relationship and covenant between them. It reflects the pattern of divine revelation in the patriarchal narratives, where God often speaks directly to the patriarchs. This communication underscores the importance of Abram in God's redemptive plan, as he is the recipient of promises that will shape the future of Israel and the world.Know for certain The phrase "know for certain" conveys the assurance and certainty of God's promises. It highlights the prophetic nature of the message, indicating that what is about to be revealed is not speculative but divinely ordained. This certainty is a key aspect of biblical prophecy, where God's declarations are seen as inevitable and trustworthy.that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not their own This prophecy foretells the future sojourn of the Israelites in Egypt. The term "strangers" implies a lack of belonging and foreshadows the hardships they will face. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's people living as aliens and sojourners in foreign lands, which is later echoed in the New Testament (e.g., <a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a>). The concept of being strangers also points to the spiritual journey of believers, who are called to live in the world but not be of it.and they will be enslaved and mistreated This part of the prophecy predicts the oppression and suffering the Israelites will endure in Egypt. Historically, this refers to the period of slavery under the Pharaohs, as described in the book of Exodus. The theme of suffering and deliverance is central to the biblical narrative, prefiguring the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ. The experience of enslavement and mistreatment also serves as a type of the bondage of sin, from which Christ redeems humanity.four hundred years The duration of "four hundred years" signifies a long period of trial and testing. This time frame is symbolic of completeness and fulfillment in biblical numerology. It is important to note that the actual time the Israelites spent in Egypt is often calculated as 430 years (<a href="/exodus/12-40.htm">Exodus 12:40-41</a>), suggesting that the 400 years may refer specifically to the period of severe oppression. This period of waiting and eventual deliverance is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating God's timing and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-making God who speaks to Abram, revealing His sovereign plan for Abram's descendants. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (Abraham)</a> The patriarch chosen by God to be the father of a great nation, through whom all nations would be blessed. 3. <a href="/topical/a/abram's_descendants.htm">Abram's Descendants (Israelites)</a> The future nation that will emerge from Abram, who will experience enslavement and mistreatment in a foreign land. 4. <a href="/topical/a/a_land_not_theirs.htm">A Land Not Theirs (Egypt)</a> The place where Abram's descendants will be strangers and endure slavery, later identified as Egypt in the biblical account. 5. <a href="/topical/f/four_hundred_years.htm">Four Hundred Years</a> The period during which Abram's descendants will be enslaved and mistreated, highlighting God's foreknowledge and the fulfillment of His promises.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_foreknowledge.htm">God's Sovereignty and Foreknowledge</a> God knows the future and orchestrates events according to His divine plan. Trust in His sovereignty, even when circumstances seem challenging. <a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_suffering_and_deliverance.htm">The Reality of Suffering and Deliverance</a> God's people may experience suffering and trials, but He promises deliverance and fulfillment of His promises. Hold onto hope and faith during difficult times. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith_and_patience.htm">The Importance of Faith and Patience</a> Like Abraham, believers are called to have faith and patience, trusting in God's timing and promises, even when they are not immediately visible. <a href="/topical/t/the_fulfillment_of_god's_promises.htm">The Fulfillment of God's Promises</a> God's promises are sure and will come to pass. Reflect on how God has been faithful in the past and trust Him for the future. <a href="/topical/t/the_bigger_picture_of_god's_redemptive_plan.htm">The Bigger Picture of God's Redemptive Plan</a> Understand that individual experiences are part of a larger account of God's redemption. Seek to align personal accounts with God's greater purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 15</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_holy_war.htm">What defines a holy war?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_400_years_important_in_egypt.htm">What is the significance of 400 years in Egypt?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_israel's_biblical_land_claim.htm">What is the biblical basis for Israel's land rights?</a> <a href="/q/is_there_work_in_heaven.htm">What is the identity of the Kenizzites?</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>(13) Four hundred years.--The exact duration of the sojourn in Egypt was 430 years (<a href="/context/exodus/12-40.htm" title="Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelled in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.">Exodus 12:40-41</a>), and with this agrees the genealogy of Jehoshua (<a href="/context/1_chronicles/7-23.htm" title="And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bore a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.">1Chronicles 7:23-27</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 13. - And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety - literally, knowing know (cf. <a href="/genesis/2-17.htm">Genesis 2:17</a>; vide Ewald's 'Hebrew Syntax,' § 312) - that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land which is not there (literally, not to them, viz., Egypt, or Egypt and Canaan, according to the view which is taken of the point of departure for the reckoning of the 400 years), and shall serve them (i.e. the inhabitants of that alien country); and they (i.e. these foreigners) shall afflict them - three different stages of adverse fortune are described: - (1) exile; (2) bondage; (3) affliction (Murphy); . . . <a href="/commentaries/genesis/15-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then the LORD said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to Abram, לְאַבְרָ֗ם (lə·’aḇ·rām) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_87.htm">Strong's 87: </a> Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham “Know יָדֹ֨עַ (yā·ḏō·a‘) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know for certain תֵּדַ֜ע (tê·ḏa‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction your descendants זַרְעֲךָ֗ (zar·‘ă·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity will be יִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be strangers גֵ֣ר ׀ (ḡêr) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1616.htm">Strong's 1616: </a> A guest, a foreigner in a land בְּאֶ֙רֶץ֙ (bə·’e·reṣ) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land that is not their own; לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no they will be enslaved וַעֲבָד֖וּם (wa·‘ă·ḇā·ḏūm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5647.htm">Strong's 5647: </a> To work, to serve, till, enslave and mistreated וְעִנּ֣וּ (wə·‘in·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6031.htm">Strong's 6031: </a> To be bowed down or afflicted four אַרְבַּ֥ע (’ar·ba‘) Number - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_702.htm">Strong's 702: </a> Four hundred מֵא֖וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ) Number - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3967.htm">Strong's 3967: </a> A hundred years. שָׁנָֽה׃ (šā·nāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/15-13.htm">Genesis 15:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/15-13.htm">OT Law: Genesis 15:13 He said to Abram Know for sure (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/15-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 15:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/15-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 15:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:14" /></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>