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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 />But Abram said, &#8220Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he said, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he said, “Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He said, &#8220O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he said, “O Lord GOD, how may I know that I shall possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he said, “O Lord Yahweh, how may I know that I will possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But Abram said, “Lord GOD, by what [proof] will I know that I will inherit it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he said, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But he said, &#8220Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?&#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, O Lord Jehovah, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Abram asked, "LORD God, how can I know the land will be mine?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he said, O Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abram asked, "Almighty LORD, how can I be certain that I will take possession of it?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But Abram asked, "Sovereign LORD, how can I know that it will be mine?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Abram replied, ?Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Abram said, "O sovereign LORD, by what can I know that I am to possess it?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But he said, "Lord, how can I know that I will possess it?"<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, Lord GOD, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He said, “Lord Yahweh, how will I know that I will inherit it?” <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, “Lord YHWH, whereby do I know that I possess it?”<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, 'Lord Jehovah, whereby do I know that I possess it?'<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, My Lord Jehovah, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he said: Lord God, whereby may I know that I shall possess it? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But he said, “Lord God, in what way may I be able to know that I will possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“Lord GOD,” he asked, “how will I know that I will possess it?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”<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, O LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?<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, “LORD JEHOVAH, God, by what shall I know that I am heir to it”?<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: 'O Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he said, Master <i>and</i> Lord, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/15-8.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=3172" 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><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">But Abram replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/136.htm" title="136: ’ă·ḏō·nāy (N-proper-ms) -- Lord. Am emphatic form of 'adown; the Lord.">“Lord</a> <a href="/hebrew/3069.htm" title="3069: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- YHWH. A variation of Yhovah.">GOD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: bam·māh (Prep-b:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">how</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: ’ê·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">can I know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3423.htm" title="3423: ’î·rā·šen·nāh (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 3fse) -- Or yaresh; a primitive root; to occupy; by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin.">I will possess it?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>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.”…<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/11-8.htm">Hebrews 11:8-10</a></span><br />By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Romans 4:20-21</a></span><br />Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/3-12.htm">Exodus 3:12</a></span><br />“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Judges 6:17</a></span><br />Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-18.htm">Luke 1:18</a></span><br />“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/5-7.htm">2 Corinthians 5:7</a></span><br />For we walk by faith, not by sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/20-25.htm">John 20:25-29</a></span><br />So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” / Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” / Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-3.htm">Matthew 11:3</a></span><br />to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-5.htm">Acts 7:5</a></span><br />He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-3.htm">Psalm 37:3-5</a></span><br />Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-11.htm">Isaiah 7:11-14</a></span><br />“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-36.htm">1 Kings 18:36-39</a></span><br />At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/20-8.htm">2 Kings 20:8-11</a></span><br />Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” / And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” / “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/18-21.htm">Deuteronomy 18:21-22</a></span><br />You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/14-11.htm">Numbers 14:11</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?</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, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-2.htm">Genesis 24:2-4,13,14</a></b></br> And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Judges 6:17-24,36-40</a></b></br> And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/14-9.htm">1 Samuel 14:9,10</a></b></br> If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/genesis/15-7.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/1_john/2-18.htm">Whereby</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/15-10.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/37-26.htm">Gain</a> <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Inherit</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/genesis/17-8.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/exodus/23-17.htm">Sovereign</a> <a href="/genesis/44-5.htm">Whereby</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>But Abram replied</b><br>Abram, later known as Abraham, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, often referred to as the father of faith. His response here is part of a dialogue with God, highlighting a personal and direct relationship. This interaction is significant as it shows Abram's willingness to engage with God, a characteristic that defines his faith journey. Abram's reply is not one of disbelief but a request for assurance, reflecting a human desire for confirmation of divine promises.<p><b>“Lord GOD</b><br>The use of "Lord GOD" in this context is a translation of the Hebrew "Adonai Yahweh," a combination of titles that emphasize both the sovereignty and the covenantal nature of God. This dual title underscores God's authority and His personal relationship with Abram. It is a reminder of God's power and His commitment to His promises, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.<p><b>how can I know</b><br>Abram's question is a request for assurance and a sign. In the ancient Near Eastern context, covenants were often accompanied by signs or rituals to confirm the agreement. Abram's request is not unusual for the time and reflects a common practice of seeking tangible evidence of a promise. This question sets the stage for the covenant ceremony that follows, where God provides a sign to Abram.<p><b>that I will possess it?”</b><br>The "it" refers to the land promised to Abram and his descendants. This promise of land is a central theme in the Abrahamic covenant and is foundational to the narrative of the Israelites. The land of Canaan, which Abram is promised, is significant both geographically and theologically. It is a land that will later become the setting for much of Israel's history. This promise is reiterated throughout the Old Testament and is seen as a precursor to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who offers a spiritual inheritance to believers.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (Abraham)</a></b><br>A key patriarch in the Bible, Abram is chosen by God to be the father of many nations. In <a href="/bsb/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15</a>, he is in dialogue with God, expressing his faith and seeking assurance of God's promises.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/lord_god.htm">Lord GOD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant-keeping God who reveals Himself to Abram. In this passage, God is making a covenant with Abram, promising him descendants and land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_covenant.htm">The Covenant</a></b><br>This chapter is significant for the covenant God makes with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land promised to Abram and his descendants, representing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vision.htm">The Vision</a></b><br>Abram receives a vision from God, which is a divine communication that reassures him of God's promises.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_assurance.htm">Faith and Assurance</a></b><br>Abram's question, "How can I know that I will possess it?" reflects a natural human desire for assurance. It teaches us that seeking confirmation from God is part of a faith journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_covenant_faithfulness.htm">God's Covenant Faithfulness</a></b><br>The covenant with Abram is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises, even when the path is unclear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_questions_in_faith.htm">The Role of Questions in Faith</a></b><br>Abram's inquiry shows that asking questions is not a sign of weak faith but a step towards deeper understanding and trust in God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_divine_revelation.htm">The Importance of Divine Revelation</a></b><br>God's response to Abram's question comes through a vision, highlighting the importance of divine revelation in understanding God's will and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_timing.htm">Trusting God's Timing</a></b><br>Abram had to wait for the fulfillment of God's promises, teaching us patience and trust in God's perfect timing.<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_israel_truly_the_promised_land.htm">Is Israel truly the Promised Land?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_names_and_titles_of_god.htm">What are the Names and Titles of God?</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/what_is_the_abrahamic_covenant.htm">What is the Abrahamic Covenant?</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>(8) <span class= "bld">Lord God.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">Lord Jehovah, </span>as in <a href="/genesis/15-2.htm" title="And Abram said, LORD God, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?">Genesis 15:2</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?</span>--Jehovah had required Abram to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldees on a general promise of future endowment with the land of Canaan. Abram now asks this question, not from want of faith, but from a desire for a more direct confirmation of the promise and fuller knowledge of the details. What Abram, therefore, receives is an exact and circumstantial prophecy, made in the form of a solemn covenant.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he said, Lord God</span> (<span class="accented">Adonai Jehovah</span>; vide Ver. 2), <span class="cmt_word">whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it</span>? Not the language of doubt, though slight misgivings are not incompatible with faith (cf. <a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Judges 6:17</a>; <a href="/2_kings/20-8.htm">2 Kings 20:8</a>; <a href="/luke/1-34.htm">Luke 1:34</a>), and questioning with God "is rather a proof of faith than a sign of incredulity" (Calvin); but of desire for a sign in confirmation of the grant (Luther), either for the strengthening of his own faith (Chrysostom, Augustine, Keil, 'Speaker's Commentary'), or for the sake of his posterity (Jarchi, Michaelis), or for some intimation as to the time and mode of taking possession (Murphy). Rosenmüller conceives the question put in Abram's mouth to be only a device of the narrator's to lead up to the subject following. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/15-8.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">But [Abram] replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּאמַ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mar)</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">“Lord</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲדֹנָ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḏō·nāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_136.htm">Strong's 136: </a> </span><span class="str2">The Lord</span><br /><br /><span class="word">GOD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יֱהוִ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">how</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(bam·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can I know</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵדַ֖ע</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·ḏa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> </span><span class="str2">To know</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I will possess it?”</span><br /><span class="heb">אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(’î·rā·šen·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine 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/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/15-8.htm">Genesis 15:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/15-8.htm">OT Law: Genesis 15:8 He said Lord Yahweh how will (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/15-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 15:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/15-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 15:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 15:9" /></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>