Genesis 15 15

Genesis 15:15 kjv

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

Genesis 15:15 nkjv

Now as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age.

Genesis 15:15 niv

You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.

Genesis 15:15 esv

As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.

Genesis 15:15 nlt

(As for you, you will die in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.)

Genesis 15 verses

Genesis 15 15 Meaning

Genesis 15:15 is a personal assurance given by God to Abram during a pivotal covenant ceremony. Amidst the detailed prophecy of his descendants' future tribulation in Egypt, God promises Abram a peaceful end to his own life. He will die at a ripe, fulfilling age, surrounded by serenity, and be reunited with his ancestors. This verse stands as a testament to God's faithfulness, guaranteeing Abram a blessed, tranquil departure before the hard times his offspring would endure.

Genesis 15 15 Context

Genesis chapter 15 records God's formal covenant with Abram, significantly building upon the promises first given in chapter 12. Abram, childless and aging, expresses concern about his heir (Gen 15:2-3). In response, God renews and elaborates His promise, assuring Abram of a multitude of descendants (Gen 15:4-5) and attributing righteousness to Abram for his faith (Gen 15:6). The narrative then shifts to the land promise, sealed by a profound covenant ceremony involving divided animals (Gen 15:7-12, 17-21). Prior to the ratification of the covenant, God reveals a daunting future for Abram's descendants: four hundred years of oppression in a foreign land before their return to Canaan (Gen 15:13-14, 16). It is within this revelation of future national tribulation that God provides personal comfort to Abram, assuring him in verse 15 that he himself will be spared from experiencing that harsh future, concluding his life peacefully and in a state of blessed longevity.

Genesis 15 15 Word analysis

• As for you (וְאַתָּה, wə’attah): The Hebrew emphasizes "you," setting Abram's personal fate apart from that of his descendants. It directly addresses Abram, singling him out for this specific comfort and promise.

• you shall go (תָּבֹא, tāvō): Imperfect verb, implying future action, an assured going. It's a euphemism for death, often used in conjunction with "to your fathers" or "to your people."

• to your fathers (אֶל־אֲבֹתֶיךָ, ’el-’ăvōteḵā): A common idiom in ancient Near Eastern thought and biblical literature for joining deceased ancestors. It implies a continuity of existence beyond death and connection with one's lineage. It does not necessarily denote ancestor worship but the shared fate of those who have gone before.

• in peace (בְּשָׁלוֹם, bəšālôm): The Hebrew shalom signifies more than just absence of conflict; it means completeness, well-being, tranquility, prosperity, and harmony. Dying bəšālôm indicates a tranquil, blessed end, free from distress, and having fulfilled one's days.

• you shall be buried (תִּקָּבֵר, tiqqāvēR): Passive voice of the verb "to bury." This signifies a dignified and proper burial, an honorable end in ancient Israelite culture. It implies recognition and respect, rather than being left unburied.

• in a good old age (בְּשֵׂיבָה טוֹבָה, bəśêvāh ṭôvāh): Śêvāh refers to gray hair or old age. Ṭôvāh means "good," complete, excellent, or flourishing. Together, it denotes a death occurring after a full, long, and fulfilling life, characterized by physical vigor for one's years and spiritual completeness. It's a sign of God's favor and blessing (compare with 1 Chr 29:28, Gen 25:8).

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Go to your fathers in peace": This phrase underlines a blessed and serene transition from life, uniting with one's departed kin, free from the anxieties of an incomplete or violent end. It contrasts sharply with the "affliction" later mentioned for his descendants.
  • "You shall be buried in a good old age": This part specifies the honor and longevity of Abram's death. It confirms that he would not perish young, or in battle, or suffer indignity in his final moments. His end would be marked by honor, respect, and the fulfillment of God's blessing of longevity.

Genesis 15 15 Bonus section

The promise of dying "in a good old age" was considered a supreme blessing in ancient Israel. It reflected a life lived in accordance with God's will, where one had experienced prosperity, stability, and seen their children and grandchildren, fulfilling their generational purpose. This promise implicitly assured Abram that despite the fears for his future and that of his descendants, his personal journey would conclude in divine favor and serenity, reinforcing God's unwavering faithfulness even through impending national hardship. It contrasts with a "premature" or "violent" death, which was seen as a curse or judgment.

Genesis 15 15 Commentary

Genesis 15:15 is a tender and specific promise nestled within the broader framework of God's covenant with Abram. It offers a crucial piece of personal reassurance to the patriarch. While Abram's descendants are forewarned of a future of foreign oppression, God guarantees Abram's personal tranquility and dignified passing. This particular verse highlights several theological truths: the compassionate nature of God who considers the individual amidst grand national prophecies; the Old Testament understanding of a blessed end marked by longevity, peace (shalom), and proper burial; and the implicit sense of continuity beyond physical death, indicated by joining one's "fathers." Abram would not witness the Egyptian bondage, dying a revered and fulfilled old man, truly embodying the blessing of peace promised to those who trust in God. His "good old age" confirms God's complete blessing upon him.