King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, but Avram drove them away.
Berean Standard Bible:
And the birds of prey descended on the carcasses, but Abram drove them away.
American Standard Version:
And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And when the fowls{H5861} came down{H3381} upon the carcases{H6297}, Abram{H87} drove them away{H5380}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 13:4
- And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
Psalms 119:13
- ¶ With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
Ezekiel 17:3
- And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:
Ezekiel 17:7
- There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 15:11
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Promise and Faith:** Genesis 15:11 is part of a larger narrative where God reaffirms His covenant with Abram (later named Abraham), promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. Abram's act of driving away the birds from the carcasses symbolizes his active faith and trust in God's promises, as he prepares for the covenant ritual.
- **Covenant Ritual:** The carcasses are part of a covenant ceremony common in the ancient Near East, where animals were cut in half and the parties of the covenant would pass between the halves to invoke a curse upon themselves if they broke the covenant. Abram's role in protecting the carcasses from the birds indicates his engagement in this solemn ritual.
- **Protection and Providence:** Abram's action of driving away the birds also reflects the theme of protection and providence. Just as Abram protects the sacrifice, God will protect and provide for Abram's descendants, demonstrating divine care for the covenant people.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** The events described in Genesis 15 likely occurred during the patriarchal era, which is traditionally dated from around 2000 to 1500 BCE. This period is characterized by the lives and migrations of the early Hebrew patriarchs, including Abram.
- **Cultural Practices:** The ritual Abram participates in was a known practice in the ancient Near East for solidifying agreements. The use of animals in such rituals is reflected in other ancient texts and artifacts, indicating a shared cultural understanding of covenant-making in the region.
- **Early Relationship Between God and Israel:** This passage is foundational in the narrative of the Israelite people, as it establishes the early relationship between God and the ancestors of Israel. It sets the stage for the themes of promise, faith, and covenant that are central to the biblical narrative.
In summary, Genesis 15:11 encapsulates the themes of divine promise, faith, covenant ritual, and divine protection within the historical context of the patriarchal era and its cultural practices, emphasizing the foundational relationship between God and the emerging nation of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5861
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִט
Transliteration: ʻayiṭ
Pronunciation: ah'-yit
Description: from עִיט; a hawk or other bird of prey; bird, fowl, ravenous (bird). - Strong's Number: H3381
There are 344 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַד
Transliteration: yârad
Pronunciation: yaw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); causatively, to bring down (in all the above applications); [idiom] abundantly, bring down, carry down, cast down, (cause to) come(-ing) down, fall (down), get down, go(-ing) down(-ward), hang down, [idiom] indeed, let down, light (down), put down (off), (cause to, let) run down, sink, subdue, take down. - Strong's Number: H6297
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֶּגֶר
Transliteration: peger
Pronunciation: peh'gher
Description: from פָּגַר; a carcase (as limp), whether of man or beast; figuratively, an idolatrous image; carcase, corpse, dead body. - Strong's Number: H87
There are 17014 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâm
Pronunciation: ab-rawm'
Description: contracted from אֲבִירָם; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham; Abram. - Strong's Number: H5380
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשַׁב
Transliteration: nâshab
Pronunciation: naw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; to blow; by implication, to disperse; (cause to) blow, drive away.