Genesis 15:2 kjv

And Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Genesis 15:2 nkjv

But Abram said, "Lord GOD, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"

Genesis 15:2 niv

But Abram said, "Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"

Genesis 15:2 esv

But Abram said, "O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?"

Genesis 15:2 nlt

But Abram replied, "O Sovereign LORD, what good are all your blessings when I don't even have a son? Since you've given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth.

Genesis 15 verses

Genesis 15 2 Meaning

Genesis 15:2 captures Abram's profound personal struggle as he confronts the promise of a vast offspring with his present childless reality. He expresses to God that without a direct biological heir, the traditional practice dictates that his chief household servant, Eliezer of Damascus, would inherit his immense estate. This query is not solely an expression of doubt, but also a logical human deduction based on prevailing cultural customs regarding inheritance for an affluent, childless individual. It reveals Abram's deepest desire for a son of his own, in alignment with God's repeated, yet unfulfilled, covenant promise.

Genesis 15 2 Context

Genesis 15 initiates a profound reaffirmation and formalization of God's covenant with Abram. Prior to this verse, Abram has separated from Lot, achieved a military victory, and met Melchizedek. In Genesis 15:1, God speaks to Abram in a vision, assuring him, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This assurance prompts Abram's candid question in verse 2, stemming from his current reality as a childless man with no direct heir to inherit his substantial wealth and fulfill the promise of a vast nation. Abram's concern about Eliezer stems from ancient Near Eastern legal and cultural customs, notably found in Nuzi texts, where a childless couple might adopt a servant as an heir to manage their estate, with the understanding that if a natural son were later born, the adopted heir's status would revert. This context underscores the deep practical and spiritual weight of Abram's words, setting the stage for God's supernatural counter-promise in subsequent verses.

Genesis 15 2 Word Analysis

• But Abram said: Introduces Abram's direct, personal, and potentially lamenting response to God's reassurance in Gen 15:1. It reflects a conversation between God and humanity.
• Sovereign Lord: Transliteration of Hebrew 'Adonai Yahweh (אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה).
  • 'Adonai (אֲדֹנָי): Master, Lord. Signifies reverence and acknowledges God's absolute authority and ownership. It's often used by those addressing a superior or expressing submission.
  • Yahweh (יְהוָה): The personal, covenant name of God (often transliterated as YHWH), signifying "He is" or "I AM WHO I AM." This combined title is weighty, showing Abram acknowledges God's ultimate power and personal commitment, even as he voices his deepest human concern.
• what can you give me: A rhetorical question reflecting frustration, logical deduction, and possibly lamentation. Abram is asking what value God's promise holds for him if his most fundamental lack, a child, remains unaddressed. It is a moment of raw honesty, not necessarily outright disbelief, but a struggle to reconcile God's promise with his observable reality.
• since I remain childless: Hebrew 'ariri (עֲרִירִי). This strong word emphasizes the state of being barren, desolate, or stripped of offspring. It conveys the social and spiritual stigma and sorrow associated with not having an heir, especially in a culture where progeny was seen as a divine blessing and a continuation of family legacy.
• the one who will inherit my estate is: Points to a societal solution in the absence of a biological heir. This practice was common in the Ancient Near East (ANE) as a means of ensuring property was managed and passed on.
• Eliezer of Damascus?:
  • Eliezer: "God is my help." The name itself is ironic in this context, as Abram is articulating a problem for which human help (Eliezer) seems to be the only solution, rather than God's promised supernatural aid. He is named specifically, showing his prominent and trusted position within Abram's household, likely his chief steward or "houseborn slave."
  • Damascus: A prominent city-state to the northeast of Canaan, indicating a likely foreign origin for Eliezer. It emphasizes the scope of Abram's wealth and influence (needing a steward for such a large estate) but also the non-Israelite origin of this prospective "heir."

Genesis 15 2 Bonus Section

The term translated as "one who will inherit my estate" in some versions, and more literally "son of my household" or "ben-mesheq beiti" (בֶּן־מֶשֶׁק בֵּיתִי) in Hebrew, has been debated among scholars. "Mesheq" is sometimes interpreted as "stewardship" or "management," reinforcing Eliezer's role as a trusted manager. Another view links "mesheq" to "running to and fro," possibly indicating a highly active or mobile chief servant responsible for the logistics of a nomadic and wealthy household. Regardless, the intent is clear: Eliezer is the principal, most reliable figure within Abram's retinue who could, by custom, become his adoptive heir if a biological son was not forthcoming. This practice highlights the unique and revolutionary nature of God's covenant with Abram, promising an heir supernaturally given rather than merely culturally arranged. God is about to move beyond human norms and expectations.

Genesis 15 2 Commentary

Genesis 15:2 reveals the poignant contrast between divine promise and human reality. Abram, despite God's assurance of protection and reward, expresses a deeply human concern about his childlessness. His direct question, "what can you give me...?" is a testament to the honesty of his prayer and his intimate relationship with God. He names Eliezer of Damascus not out of a lack of faith in God's power, but out of an understandable human reliance on a culturally established, logical solution to a pressing issue: securing an heir for his vast estate. This verse beautifully sets the stage for God to explicitly counter human custom with supernatural intervention, confirming that the promised heir would indeed come directly from Abram's own body, thereby validating the unique nature of His covenant. It demonstrates God's willingness to engage with human questioning and clarify His intentions beyond human limitations.