Genesis 15:14 kjv
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
Genesis 15:14 nkjv
And also the nation whom they serve I will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
Genesis 15:14 niv
But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions.
Genesis 15:14 esv
But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.
Genesis 15:14 nlt
But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.
Genesis 15 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| The Prophecy Fulfilled: Slavery & Judgment | ||
| Gen 15:13 | "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;" | Prophecy of 400 years of affliction and servitude. |
| Exod 1:13-14 | "And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter..." | Details the severe oppression of Israel in Egypt. |
| Exod 3:7 | "And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people...and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters..." | God acknowledges and hears His people's suffering. |
| Exod 6:6 | "Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage..." | God's promise to deliver Israel from Egyptian bondage. |
| Acts 7:6-7 | "And God spake on this wise, That his seed should sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. And the nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that shall they come forth, and serve Me in this place." | Stephen quotes and confirms Gen 15:13-14's fulfillment. |
| God's Judgment on Egypt | ||
| Exod 7-12 | "The LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abraham’s wife." | Account of the ten plagues as God's judgment. |
| Exod 12:12 | "For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn..." | The ultimate judgment against Egypt, the tenth plague. |
| Exod 14:27-28 | "And the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh..." | God's judgment on the Egyptian army at the Red Sea. |
| Num 33:4 | "For the Egyptians buried all their firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments." | Mentions God's judgments upon Egyptian gods. |
| Psa 105:27-38 | "They shewed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham...He smote also all the firstborn in their land..." | Recounts God's judgment and plagues upon Egypt. |
| Coming Out with Great Substance | ||
| Exod 3:21-22 | "And I will give this people favour in the sight of the Egyptians: and it shall come to pass, that, when ye go, ye shall not go empty..." | God promises favor and wealth from Egyptians. |
| Exod 11:2 | "Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man borrow of his neighbour, and every woman of her neighbour, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold." | Specific instruction to request valuables. |
| Exod 12:35-36 | "And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment...And they spoiled the Egyptians." | Fulfillment of Israel departing with Egyptian wealth. |
| Psa 105:37 | "He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes." | Confirms Israel left with great riches. |
| God's Covenant Faithfulness | ||
| Gen 26:3 | "Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;" | God reiterates covenant promises to Isaac. |
| Gen 28:13-15 | "And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham...and, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places..." | God reaffirms the covenant to Jacob. |
| Deut 7:8 | "But because the LORD loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers..." | God's faithfulness rooted in His love and oath. |
| Psa 78:43-51 | "How He had wrought His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Zoan...And smote all the firstborn of Egypt..." | Remembers God's mighty acts for Israel's deliverance. |
| Heb 11:8-9 | "By faith Abraham, when he was called...sojourned in the land of promise..." | Abraham's faith in God's promises, including these. |
| Heb 11:27 | "By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible." | Moses's faith linked to God's promised deliverance. |
Genesis 15 verses
Genesis 15 14 Meaning
Genesis 15:14 proclaims God's divine judgment upon the nation that would oppress Abraham's descendants. It prophecies that this nation would be punished for its servitude against Israel. Subsequently, the enslaved descendants would be released from bondage, not empty-handed, but enriched with vast possessions and wealth. This verse is a crucial element of God's covenant promise to Abram, assuring him of the future preservation and prosperity of his lineage despite foreseen trials.
Genesis 15 14 Context
Genesis chapter 15 records a profound covenant-making ceremony between God and Abram. Earlier, Abram had expressed his deep concern over not having an heir and inheriting the promised land (Gen 15:2-3). In response, God reiterated His promise of numerous descendants and guaranteed the inheritance of the land. The preceding verse, Genesis 15:13, had just prophesied a period of oppression and sojourning in a foreign land for Abraham's descendants for four hundred years. Genesis 15:14 follows immediately, serving as God's comforting assurance to Abram that despite the foreseen hardship and slavery, He would powerfully intervene to judge the oppressive nation and lead His people out with great wealth. This prophetic insight underscores God's sovereignty over history, His justice, and His unfailing faithfulness to His covenant promises, laying the groundwork for the future Exodus narrative, which would become Israel's foundational redemptive story.
Genesis 15 14 Word analysis
- And also that nation, whom they shall serve:
- that nation (גּוֹי - goy): While often used for Gentile nations generally, in this specific prophetic context, it clearly points to Egypt. The definite article "that" emphasizes a particular nation that will play a key role. It signifies a distinct foreign entity as the future oppressor.
- whom they shall serve (תַעֲבֹדוּם - ta'avodum, from עָבַד - 'avad): This verb means "to work," "to serve," or "to be enslaved." In this context, coupled with the previous verse's "afflict them," it strongly denotes harsh, compulsory servitude or bondage. It highlights the oppressive nature of the future relationship, not a mutual alliance.
- will I judge:
- will I judge (דָּן אָנֹכִי - dan anokhi from דִּין - din): This Hebrew term implies more than just making a judicial decision. It signifies the active execution of a judgment, often involving a strong punitive action. It denotes God acting as a divine judge who will contend with, condemn, and punish the oppressor. This judgment is personal, "I judge," signifying God's direct and decisive intervention against the oppressive nation, which culminated in the plagues and the destruction of Pharaoh's army. It directly contrasts the oppressor's power with God's supreme authority.
- and afterward:
- afterward (וְאַחֲרֵי־כֵן - ve'akharey-chen): This phrase indicates a clear sequence and timing. The liberation and acquisition of substance will happen after the judgment of the oppressor has taken place. It assures Abram that divine justice will precede his descendants' release.
- shall they come out:
- come out (יֵצְאוּ - yetzu): This refers to their departure, the exodus, a monumental event of liberation from slavery. It implies a divinely enabled exit, not an escape facilitated by human strength. It underscores God's power in leading them forth.
- with great substance:
- great substance (בִּרְכֻשׁ גָּדוֹל - birkhush gadol, where רְכוּשׁ - rekush means "goods," "property," "possessions" and גָּדוֹל - gadol means "great," "large," "abundant"): This signifies abundant wealth, possessions, and spoils. It's not merely leaving with their existing meager belongings but being enriched with the wealth of their former masters. This represents God's restitution for their forced labor and oppression, and it provides resources necessary for their journey and establishment as a free nation. It showcases God's generous provision and full recompense.
Genesis 15 14 Bonus section
- The inclusion of "great substance" not only speaks of material wealth but also served as a means of provision for their desert journey and the eventual construction of the tabernacle, showcasing God's holistic foresight and provision.
- This prophecy acts as an early demonstration of the principle of divine justice against nations that oppose God's people, a theme reiterated throughout the prophetic books of the Bible.
- The certainty with which God declares these future events reinforces the unconditionality and infallibility of the Abrahamic Covenant. God's plan is firm and will come to pass, regardless of immediate circumstances or future challenges.
- It foreshadows the divine confrontation with worldly powers, where God champions the cause of the oppressed. This principle is carried forward into the New Testament through Christ's triumph over spiritual oppression.
Genesis 15 14 Commentary
Genesis 15:14 is a profound and precisely fulfilled prophecy embedded within God's foundational covenant with Abraham. It assures Abraham that though his descendants would experience centuries of harsh servitude, divine justice would prevail. God explicitly states His intention to "judge" the oppressor, foreshadowing the mighty acts against Egypt through the plagues and the Red Sea, which not only devastated the Egyptians but demonstrated God's absolute sovereignty over nations and false gods. The promise that His people would emerge "with great substance" speaks to God's restorative justice and generous provision, transforming their bondage into a source of enrichment. This verse serves as a cornerstone of the Exodus narrative, framing Israel's deliverance as a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises, His commitment to liberating the oppressed, and His capacity to justly repay those who harm His covenant people, setting a powerful precedent for God's redemptive work throughout history.