Genesis 15:1 kjv

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 15:1 nkjv

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

Genesis 15:1 niv

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward."

Genesis 15:1 esv

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great."

Genesis 15:1 nlt

Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, "Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great."

Genesis 15 verses

Genesis 15 1 Meaning

Genesis 15:1 marks a crucial divine intervention after Abram's victory and his rejection of the King of Sodom's spoil. In this verse, the Almighty speaks directly to Abram through a vision, delivering a message of profound reassurance and extraordinary promise. God commands Abram not to fear, identifying Himself as Abram's protector ("shield") against all threats and as his "exceeding great reward," affirming His presence and provision as ultimate compensation, far surpassing any earthly wealth. This divine communication sets the stage for the formal covenant (Gen 15:7-21).

Genesis 15 1 Context

Genesis 15:1 follows immediately after the events of chapter 14. In that chapter, Abram successfully rescued his nephew Lot from an alliance of eastern kings, defeating much more powerful forces. Following this victory, he encountered Melchizedek, King of Salem, who blessed him as "priest of the most high God" and received a tithe from Abram. Subsequently, the King of Sodom offered Abram the spoils of war, which Abram explicitly refused, declaring that he would take nothing lest the King of Sodom say, "I have made Abram rich." This demonstrated Abram's profound trust in God alone as his provider.

However, despite this triumph and faith, Abram likely harbored deep anxieties. His victory might provoke retribution from future enemies, making him feel vulnerable. More pressingly, he remained childless, an immense personal and cultural concern, threatening the fulfillment of God's prior promises (Gen 12:2-3, 13:15-16). He had no biological heir, and adopting Eliezer of Damascus (mentioned in Gen 15:2) was a practical, but not ideal, solution for perpetuating his legacy and inheriting the promises. The Lord's words in Genesis 15:1 directly address these underlying fears and insecurities, reassuring Abram both concerning his personal safety and his ultimate inheritance from God. This divine address initiates a critical covenant dialogue between God and Abram, providing the necessary reassurance before God elaborates on His vast promises.

Genesis 15 1 Word analysis

• After these things: ’Achar hadevarim ha’elleh (אחר הדברים האלה). This phrase precisely links God's revelation to the immediate preceding events, specifically Abram’s war victory and his refusal of the King of Sodom's wealth in Gen 14. It highlights God's timely and attentive response to Abram's circumstances, not a random message, but one addressing the consequences and anxieties arising from what just transpired.

• the word of the Lord came: D'var Yahweh hayah (דבר יהוה היה). This formula indicates a direct, authoritative divine revelation, common in prophetic literature (e.g., Jer 1:4; Ezek 1:3; Hos 1:1). It signifies God’s personal communication and initiation of dialogue. The specific use of "Yahweh" (LORD) emphasizes God’s covenantal name, underscoring His faithfulness to His promises.

• unto Abram: Abram is the direct recipient. This communication is highly personal, indicating a continuation and deepening of God's unique relationship with him.

• in a vision: B’machazeh (במחזה). A distinct form of divine revelation, implying a sensory, non-dream experience that provides direct divine communication. It denotes a prophetic trance or appearance that gives immediate, clear insight, different from merely an audible voice or a nocturnal dream. It suggests the profundity and certainty of the message.

• saying: Direct introduction to God's precise words.

• Fear not, Abram: ’Al tira’ Abram (אל תירא אברם). A divine imperative, central to God's interactions with His chosen ones (e.g., Isa 41:10; Dan 10:12; Rev 1:17). This indicates that Abram was experiencing fear—likely related to possible retaliation from defeated kings and the anxiety of his childlessness. God addresses this human vulnerability directly, commanding trust over dread.

• I am thy shield: Anokhi magen lach (אנכי מגן לך). God declares Himself as Abram’s personal protector. A "shield" (magen) guards against immediate physical attack, suggesting divine protection from external enemies (like those he just faced in Gen 14). This phrase speaks to security, covering physical and spiritual threats, offering full reassurance against potential harm. It emphasizes God's active role in defending Abram.

• and thy exceeding great reward: U’s'charecha harbeh m'od (ושכרך הרבה מאד). "Reward" (s’char) here means recompense or payment. "Exceeding great" (harbeh m’od) intensifies the quality and quantity, implying immense, unimaginable value. This counters any notion that Abram's rejection of earthly spoils in Gen 14 was a loss. God promises Himself as Abram’s ultimate compensation and blessing. This goes beyond mere material gain, suggesting that God’s presence and faithfulness are the true and lasting treasure. It's a statement that God Himself is the deepest desire and the ultimate satisfaction of human longing.

• "After these things the word of the Lord came": This phrase highlights God's initiative in response to Abram's preceding actions and unspoken anxieties. It is a divine confirmation and encouragement precisely when Abram might be contemplating the future implications of his decisions, underscoring God's constant engagement with His faithful.

• "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward": This composite statement is the core of God's immediate reassurance. The progression from commanding away fear to stating His dual role as protector and rewarder is deliberate. It provides comprehensive security: defense against immediate dangers ("shield") and profound, enduring blessing ("exceeding great reward"). This signifies God Himself as the fulfillment of all Abram's needs and aspirations, reinforcing his faith against the backdrop of both external threats and internal longings (like for an heir). It serves as God's pledge that His provision far outweighs any worldly gain or risk.

Genesis 15 1 Bonus section

The revelation in Genesis 15:1 also functions as an implicit polemic against the polytheistic religions and their gods prevalent in Abram's original homeland of Ur and surrounding Canaanite lands. Unlike finite, regional deities that offered specific limited protections or material gains, the God of Abram declares Himself as universal "shield" and "exceeding great reward." He is not a god who needs to be placated with vast offerings to offer mere protection, nor does He merely promise wealth that can be taken away. Instead, He is the comprehensive defense and the supreme, ultimate, and eternal reward. This emphasizes His unique omnipotence, omnipresence, and inexhaustible nature compared to pagan gods and their perceived limited domains.

This verse is also often seen as an "oasis" of divine reassurance before God lays out challenging and incomprehensible promises concerning a land he does not yet possess and a multitude of descendants when he has none. The foundation of trust is first re-established and deepened through this intimate encounter before the further revelation unfolds. It underlines that divine promises are always anchored in the personal presence and character of God.

Genesis 15 1 Commentary

Genesis 15:1 initiates a profound divine dialogue that lays the groundwork for God's covenant with Abram, pivotal to the entire biblical narrative. Following Abram's demonstration of faith and righteousness in chapter 14 – winning a battle and refusing material gain from the King of Sodom in favor of reliance on God – the Lord intervenes directly. This verse is an immediate and intimate divine affirmation, designed to address Abram's specific fears and reinforce his trust. The command "Fear not, Abram" reveals God's tender awareness of Abram's human vulnerabilities; despite his military triumph, fear of retaliation and the lingering anxiety over his childlessness likely weighed heavily.

God's self-declaration, "I am thy shield," speaks directly to Abram’s physical safety, assuring him of divine protection against any present or future enemies (reflecting the danger he just faced). But even more significantly, God declares Himself as Abram's "exceeding great reward." This phrase elevates the promise far beyond material blessings or even countless descendants, positioning God Himself as the ultimate recompense. This divine "reward" is not something external God gives, but God Himself in communion, fellowship, and boundless faithfulness. It validates Abram's rejection of Sodom's wealth, underscoring that clinging to God, trusting Him fully, yields infinitely greater and more lasting treasure than any earthly riches. This encounter establishes the framework of deep faith and reliance that will be further explored in the subsequent verses, where Abram’s belief in God's word is credited to him as righteousness. It sets the foundation that truly, God is enough.