God's Covenant with Abram
Genesis 15
The Lord promises the childless Abram an heir from his own body and descendants as numerous as the stars, and Abram believes, which is counted to him as righteousness. The Lord then confirms the promise through a covenant ceremony of divided animals, foretelling that Abram's descendants will be afflicted for four hundred years before returning to possess the land.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAFTER these things a word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I protect thee. Thy reward shall be exceedingly great.
BrentonAnd after these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I shield thee, thy reward shall be very great.
GreekΜετὰ δὲ τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ἐγενήθη ῥῆμα Κυρίου πρὸς Ἅβραμ ἐν ὁράματι, λέγων, μὴ φοβοῦ Ἅβραμ· ἐγὼ ὑπερασπίζω σου· ὁ μισθός σου πολὺς ἔσται σφόδρα.
KJVAfter 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.
JPSAfter these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am thy shield, thy reward shall be exceeding great.’
2
ThomsonWhereupon Abram said, O sovereign Lord, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I die childless, and the son of Masek my servant, this Damascus Eliezer
BrentonAnd Abram said, Master and Lord, what wilt thou give me? whereas I am departing without a child, but the son of Masek my home-born female slave, this Eliezer of Damascus is mine heir.
GreekΔέγει δὲ Ἅβραμ, Δέσποτα Κύριε, τί μοι δώσεις; ἐγὼ δὲ ἀπολύομαι ἄτεκνος· ὁ δὲ υἱὸς Μασὲκ τῆς οἰκογενοῦς μου, οὗτος Δαμασκὸς Ἐλιέζερ.
KJVAnd Abram said, LORD God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
JPSAnd Abram said: ‘O Lord GOD, what wilt Thou give me, seeing I go hence childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’
3
ThomsonThen Abram said, seeing thou hast not given me seed, this servant of mine is to be my heir.
BrentonAnd Abram said, I am grieved since thou hast given me no seed, but my home-born servant shall succeed me.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν Ἅβραμ, ἐπειδὴ ἐμοὶ οὐκ ἔδωκας σπέρμα, ὁ δὲ οἰκογενής μου κληρονομήσει με.
KJVAnd Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.
JPSAnd Abram said: ‘Behold, to me Thou hast given no seed, and, lo, one born in my house is to be mine heir.’
4
ThomsonAnd immediately there came a voice of the Lord to him saying, He shall not be thy heir: but one who shall spring from thee shall be thy heir.
BrentonAnd immediately there was a voice of the Lord to him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come out of thee shall be thine heir.
GreekΚαὶ εὐθὺς φωνὴ Κυρίου ἐγένετο πρὸς αὐτὸν, λέγουσα, οὐ κληρονομήσει σε οὗτος· ἀλλʼ ὃς ἐξελεύσεται ἐκ σοῦ, οὗτος κληρονομήσει σε.
KJVAnd, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
JPSAnd, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying: ‘This man shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.’
5
ThomsonThen He led him out and said to him, Look up now to the heaven and count the stars if thou canst number them. Then He said, So shall thy seed be.
BrentonAnd he brought him out and said to him, Look up now to heaven, and count the stars, if thou shalt be able to number them fully, and he said, Thus shall thy seed be.
GreekἘξήγαγε δὲ αὐτὸν ἔξω, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, ἀνάβλεψον δὴ εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν, καὶ ἀρίθμησον τοὺς ἀστέρας, εἰ δυνήσῃ ἐξαριθμῆσαι αὐτούς· καὶ εἶπεν, οὕτως ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα σου.
KJVAnd he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
JPSAnd He brought him forth abroad, and said: ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if thou be able to count them’; and He said unto him: ‘So shall thy seed be.’
6
ThomsonAnd Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
BrentonAnd Abram believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπίστευσεν Ἅβραμ τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην.
KJVAnd he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
JPSAnd he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.
7
ThomsonThen He said to him, I am the God who brought thee out of the country of the Chaldeans, that I might give thee this land to inherit it.
BrentonAnd he said to him, I am God that brought thee out of the land of the Chaldeans, so as to give thee this land to inherit.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ πρὸς αὐτὸν, ἐγὼ ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἐξαγαγών σε ἐκ χώρας Χαλδαίων, ὥστε δοῦναί σοι τὴν γῆν ταύτην κληρονομῆσαι.
KJVAnd he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
JPSAnd He said unto him: ‘I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.’
8
ThomsonWhereupon he said, O sovereign Lord, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?
BrentonAnd he said, Master and Lord, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?
GreekΕἶπε δέ, Δέσποτα Κύριε, κατὰ τί γνώσομαι, ὅτι κληρονομήσω αὐτήν;
KJVAnd he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?
JPSAnd he said: ‘O Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?’
9
ThomsonAnd the Lord said to him, Take for Me a heifer of three years old and a she-goat three years old and a ram three years old and a turtle-dove and a pigeon.
BrentonAnd he said to him, Take for me an heifer in her third year, and a she-goat in her third year, and a ram in his third year, and a dove and a pigeon.
GreekΕἶπε δὲ αὐτῷ, λάβε μοι δάμαλιν τριετίζουσαν, καὶ αἶγα τριετίζουσαν, καὶ κριὸν τριετίζοντα, καὶ τρυγόνα, καὶ περιστεράν.
KJVAnd he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
JPSAnd He said unto him: ‘Take Me a heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.’
10
ThomsonSo he took for Him all these and divided them in halves and placed the halves opposite to one another, but the birds he did not divide;
BrentonSo he took to him all these, and divided them in the midst, and set them opposite to each other, but the birds he did not divide.
GreekἜλαβε δὲ αὐτῷ πάντα ταῦτα, καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτὰ μέσα, καὶ ἔθηκεν αὐτὰ ἀντιπρόσωπα ἀλλήλοις· τὰ δὲ ὄρνεα οὐ διεῖλε.
KJVAnd he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.
JPSAnd he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other; but the birds divided he not.
11
Thomsonbut the birds alighted on the carcasses, on the two halves of them, and Abram sat down with them.
BrentonAnd birds came down upon the bodies, even upon the divided parts of them, and Abram sat down by them.
GreekΚατέβη δὲ ὄρνεα ἐπὶ τὰ σώματα, ἐπὶ τὰ διχοτομήματα αὐτῶν· καὶ συνεκάθισεν αὐτοῖς Ἅβραμ.
KJVAnd when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
JPSAnd the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
12
ThomsonAnd at the going down of the sun an ecstacy came on Abram, and lo! a great gloomy horror falleth upon him,
BrentonAnd about sunset a trance fell upon Abram, and lo! a great gloomy terror falls upon him.
GreekΠερὶ δὲ ἡλίου δυσμὰς ἔκστασις ἐπέπεσε τῷ Ἅβραμ, καὶ ἰδοὺ φόβος σκοτεινὸς μέγας ἐπιπίπτει αὐτῷ.
KJVAnd when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
JPSAnd it came to pass, that, when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a dread, even a great darkness, fell upon him.
13
Thomsonand it was said to Abram, Know assuredly that thy seed shall sojourn in a land not their own. And they shall be enslaved and afflicted and humbled. Four hundred years.
BrentonAnd it was said to Abram, Thou shalt surely know that thy seed shall be a sojourner in a land not their own, and they shall enslave them, and afflict them, and humble them four hundred years.
GreekΚαὶ ἐῤῥέθη πρὸς Ἅβραμ· γινώσκων γνώσῃ ὅτι πάροικον ἔσται τὸ σπέρμα σου ἐν γῇ οὐκ ἰδίᾳ, καὶ δουλώσουσιν αὐτοὺς, καὶ κακώσουσιν αὐτοὺς, καὶ ταπεινώσουσιν αὐτοὺς, τετρακόσια ἔτη.
KJVAnd 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;
JPSAnd 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;
14
ThomsonBut the nation which they shall serve I will judge. And after that they shall come out hither with much wealth.
BrentonAnd the nation whomsoever they shall serve I will judge; and after this, they shall come forth hither with much property.
GreekΤὸ δὲ ἔθνος, ᾧ ἐὰν δουλεύσωσι, κρινῶ ἐγώ· μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα, ἐξελεύσονται ὧδε μετὰ ἀποσκευῆς πολλῆς.
KJVAnd also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
JPSand also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge; and afterward shall they come out with great substance.
15
ThomsonThou indeed shalt go to thy fathers in peace, having been nourished in a good old age.
BrentonBut thou shalt depart to thy fathers in peace, nourished in a good old age.
GreekΣὺ δὲ ἀπελεύσῃ πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας σου ἐν εἰρήνῃ, τραφεὶς ἐν γήρᾳ καλῷ.
KJVAnd thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
JPSBut thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.
16
ThomsonAnd in the fourth generation they shall be brought back hither. For the sins of the Amorites have not yet come to the full.
BrentonAnd in the fourth generation they shall return hither, for the sins of the Amorites are not yet filled up, even until now.
GreekΤετάρτῃ δὲ γενεᾷ ἀποστραφήσονται ὧδε· οὔπω γὰρ ἀναπεπλήρωνται αἱ ἁμαρτίαι τῶν Ἀμοῤῥαίων ἕως τοῦ νῦν.
KJVBut in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
JPSAnd in the fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.’
17
ThomsonAnd as the sun was setting there was a flash of fire, and lo! a smoking furnace and lamps of fire passed between the halved parts.
BrentonAnd when the sun was about to set, there was a flame, and behold a smoking furnace and lamps of fire, which passed between these divided pieces.
GreekἘπεὶ δὲ ὁ ἥλιος ἐγένετο πρὸς δυσμὰς, φλὸξ ἐγένετο· καὶ ἰδοὺ κλίβανος καπνιζόμενος καὶ λαμπάδες πυρός, αἳ διῆλθον ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν διχοτομημάτων τούτων.
KJVAnd it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
JPSAnd it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and there was thick darkness, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.
18
ThomsonOn that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying, To thy seed I will give this land from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates,
BrentonIn that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, To thy seed I will give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates.
GreekἘν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ διέθετο Κύριος τῷ Ἅβραμ διαθήκην, λέγων, τῷ σπέρματί σου δώσω τὴν γῆν ταύτην, ἀπὸ τοῦ ποταμοῦ Αἰγύπτου ἕως τοῦ ποταμοῦ τοῦ μεγάλου Εὐφράτου·
KJVIn the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
JPSIn that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates;
19
Thomsonthe Kenites and the Kenezites, and the Kedmonites
BrentonThe Kenites, and the Kenezites, and the Kedmoneans,
GreekΤοὺς Κεναίους, καὶ τοὺς Κενεζαίους, καὶ τοὺς Κεδμωναίους,
KJVThe Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
JPS—
20
Thomsonand the Chettites and the Pherezites and the Raphaeims
Brentonand the Chettites, and the Pherezites, and the Raphaim,
Greekκαὶ τοὺς Χετταίους, καὶ τοὺς Φερεζαίους, καὶ τοὺς ʼΡαφαεὶν,
KJV—
JPS—
21
Thomsonand the Amorites and the Chananites and the Evites and the Gergesites and the Jebusites.
Brentonand the Amorites, and the Chananites, and the Evites, and the Gergesites, and the Jebusites.
Greekκαὶ τοὺς Ἀμοῤῥαίους, καὶ τοὺς Χαναναίους, καὶ τοὺς Εὐαίους, καὶ τοὺς Γεργεσαίους, καὶ τοὺς Ἰεβουσαίους.
KJVAnd the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.
JPS—