Genesis 15:4

Authorized King James Version

And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהִנֵּ֨ה

H2009

lo!

דְבַר

H1697

And behold the word

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָ֤ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלָיו֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֔ר

H559

came unto him saying

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִֽירָשֶֽׁךָ׃

H3423

This shall not be thine heir

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

זֶ֑ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

כִּי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#10

אִם֙

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

#11

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#12

יֵצֵ֣א

H3318

but he that shall come forth

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

#13

מִמֵּעֶ֔יךָ

H4578

out of thine own bowels

used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extension the stomach, the uteru

#14

ה֖וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#15

יִֽירָשֶֽׁךָ׃

H3423

This shall not be thine heir

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of ancient Near Eastern narrative literature addressing origins and identity shapes this text's meaning. The development from creation to divine election established God's sovereign care over history Understanding a worldview where divine beings actively governed natural and historical processes helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 15 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?

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