Genesis 15:12 kjv

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Genesis 15:12 nkjv

Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.

Genesis 15:12 niv

As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.

Genesis 15:12 esv

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him.

Genesis 15:12 nlt

As the sun was going down, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a terrifying darkness came down over him.

Genesis 15 verses

Genesis 15 12 Meaning

When the day drew to a close, a divinely induced deep sleep, more profound than normal slumber, came upon Abram. Accompanying this sleep, an overwhelming terror descended upon him, coupled with a dense, oppressive darkness. This extraordinary event was a supernatural prelude, preparing Abram for a crucial prophetic revelation about the future of his descendants, signifying God's direct and sovereign involvement in the impending covenant.

Genesis 15 12 Context

Genesis chapter 15 records God’s formal establishment of His covenant with Abram, expanding on previous promises. Earlier in the chapter, Abram expresses concern about not having an heir (v. 2-3), to which God reiterates His promise of innumerable descendants (v. 4-5). God then commands Abram to perform a specific ancient covenant-making ritual: dividing animals (v. 9-11). It is immediately after these preparations, as the sun sets, that Abram enters this divinely induced state described in verse 12. This verse serves as the immediate precursor to the detailed prophecy in verses 13-16 regarding Israel's bondage in Egypt and their eventual deliverance, setting the stage for God, not Abram, to unilaterally pass through the divided pieces, thus signifying an unconditional covenant.

Genesis 15 12 Word analysis

• And when the sun was going down (וְהַשֶּׁמֶשׁ לָבוֹא, v'ha-shemesh la-vo): Marks the transition from day to night. Symbolically, it suggests the close of ordinary perception and the onset of a supernatural event, often associated with visions (compare Job 4:13). It is also the specific time chosen by God for this profound encounter.
• a deep sleep (תַּרְדֵּמָה, tardemah): Not common sleep, but a divinely imposed stupor or trance. This state renders the individual entirely passive and receptive only to God's revelation, highlighting God's sovereignty over human consciousness and ensuring no human interference with the profound truths about to be revealed. This specific term also describes Adam's state during Eve's creation (Gen 2:21).
• fell upon Abram: Indicates an action originating externally and supernaturally, an imposition by God rather than natural fatigue, showcasing divine initiative.
• and, lo (וְהִנֵּה, vehineh): An interjection signaling suddenness, emphasis, or the introduction of a significant, extraordinary, or surprising vision or occurrence. It draws immediate attention to the remarkable nature of what follows.
• an horror (אֵימָה, eimah): Signifies deep, chilling fear, dread, or terror. This is an intense apprehension often associated with the overwhelming presence of God or the premonition of significant, often difficult, divine purposes. It suggests a profound and reverential awe, mixed with fearful anticipation of impending trials or a solemn encounter with the Divine.
• of great darkness (חֲשֵׁכָה גְדֹלָה, chashekhah gedolah): A dense, pervasive, and overwhelming darkness, the adjective "great" emphasizing its intensity and profundity. This darkness is primarily prophetic, foreshadowing the 400 years of Israel's affliction and oppression in Egypt, often typified by the literal plague of "thick darkness" (Ex 10:21-23). It can also represent the unknowable or daunting future, the mysterious nature of divine judgment, or the overwhelming and unapproachable majesty of God's presence, reminiscent of the darkness at Sinai (Ex 19:9, 16; Deut 4:11).
• words-group analysis: "a deep sleep... an horror of great darkness": This specific combination of divinely induced unconsciousness and terrifying darkness points to an overwhelming, unsettling divine presence and profound revelation. It prepares Abram not for unadulterated joy, but for a solemn truth involving future tribulation before ultimate triumph. This sensory experience is a pre-enactment or pre-figuration of the "great tribulation" (Egyptian bondage) that Israel must endure before fully inheriting the promise.

Genesis 15 12 Bonus section

The precise term tardemah for "deep sleep" occurs rarely in Scripture but consistently in contexts of profound divine action or revelation, ensuring human passivity (e.g., Adam for Eve's creation, Job for divine instruction). The "horror" and "darkness" not only explicitly foreshadow the Egyptian bondage but also evoke the natural human response to being confronted with the overwhelming majesty, holiness, and inscrutability of God's presence, similar to the awe-inspiring and fearsome display at Mount Sinai where God was enshrouded in "thick darkness" (Ex 20:21). The very presence of such intense phenomena suggests the gravity and solemnity of the covenant being established. With Abram incapacitated, God unilaterally passed between the pieces of the divided animals in the following verses, solidifying that the fulfillment of this covenant relies entirely on God's unwavering faithfulness and power, not on any human merit or action. This visual and experiential prelude profoundly prepares Abram for the understanding of an unbreakable, unilateral covenant promise.

Genesis 15 12 Commentary

Genesis 15:12 records a profound, divinely orchestrated event marking a pivotal moment in the Abrahamic covenant. Abram's divinely induced "deep sleep" (tardemah) rendered him passive, a crucial element that underscores the unconditional nature of the covenant God was about to make. This sleep was not mere rest but a supernatural state for prophetic reception, highlighting God's sole initiation and guarantee of His promises. The subsequent "horror of great darkness" was more than just fear; it was a potent, pre-experiential vision, acting as a vivid symbol of the suffering and oppression Abraham's descendants would endure during their sojourn in Egypt. It serves as a stark reminder that the path to promised blessings often involves periods of profound trials and adversity, yet these hardships are known to God and are part of His sovereign plan for eventual deliverance and glory. The passage therefore powerfully underscores God's absolute control, His faithfulness even through foreseen difficulties, and His transcendent holiness that evokes both awe and dread.Example: Just as Abram received a frightening vision before a profound covenant, believers may experience seasons of spiritual darkness or fear before God reveals deeper truths or fulfills promises, knowing that such experiences are within God's sovereign plan.