Genesis 15:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He answered him, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a dove and a young pigeon."

Berean Standard Bible:

And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.”

American Standard Version:

And he said unto him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559} unto him, Take^{H3947} me an heifer^{H5697} of three years old^{H8027}, and a she goat^{H5795} of three years old^{H8027}, and a ram^{H352} of three years old^{H8027}, and a turtledove^{H8449}, and a young pigeon^{H1469}.

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Commentary for Genesis 15:9

Genesis 15:9 is part of a pivotal moment in the patriarchal narratives of the Bible, specifically within the story of Abram (later named Abraham). The historical context of this verse is set within the ancient Near East, during the time when Abram was establishing his covenant with God.

Themes and historical context:

1. **Covenant Making**: The ceremony described in Genesis 15:9 is part of a covenant-making ritual common in the ancient Near East. By cutting animals in half and passing between the pieces, the parties entering the covenant were invoking a self-curse, signifying that they would meet the same fate if they broke the covenant. In this case, God is instructing Abram to prepare the animals for a covenant ceremony.

2. **Faith and Promise**: This event occurs after God has promised Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). Abram's willingness to follow God's instructions and prepare the animals demonstrates his faith in God's promises, despite Abram's old age and the fact that he was childless at the time.

3. **Divine Assurance**: The ceremony is followed by a theophany, a visible manifestation of God, who alone passes between the pieces of the animals (Genesis 15:17). This act underscores that the covenant is unilateral and unconditional; its fulfillment depends entirely on God, not on Abram's actions.

4. **Future Blessings**: The covenant includes the promise of the land of Canaan to Abram's descendants. This promise is central to the narrative of Israel's history and forms the basis for the Jewish people's claim to the land.

5. **Symbolism of Animals**: The specific animals chosen for the sacrifice—a heifer, a goat, a ram, a turtledove, and a pigeon—may symbolize various aspects of the covenant or may reflect common sacrificial practices of the time, each animal having its own significance within the ritual.

In summary, Genesis 15:9 is a key verse in the establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant, highlighting themes of divine promise, human faith, covenant rituals, and the unique relationship between God and the patriarch Abram, which would have significant implications for the history of Israel and the religious traditions that stem from it.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5697
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֶגְלָה
   Transliteration: ʻeglâh
   Pronunciation: eg-law'
   Description: feminine of עֵגֶל; a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer); calf, cow, heifer.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8027
   There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlash
   Pronunciation: shaw-lash'
   Description: a primitive root perhaps originally to intensify, i.e. treble; but apparently used only as denominative from שָׁלוֹשׁ,; to be (causatively, make) triplicate (by restoration, in portions, strands, days or years); do the third time, (divide into, stay) three (days, -fold, parts, years old).
   
5. Strong's Number: H5795
   There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵז
   Transliteration: ʻêz
   Pronunciation: aze
   Description: from עָזַז; a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair); (she) goat, kid.
   
6. Strong's Number: H352
   There are 256 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַיִל
   Transliteration: ʼayil
   Pronunciation: ah'-yil
   Description: from the same as אוּל; properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree; mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree.
   
7. Strong's Number: H8449
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תּוֹר
   Transliteration: tôwr
   Pronunciation: tore
   Description: or תֹּר; probably the same as תּוֹר; a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment; (turtle) dove.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1469
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גּוֹזָל
   Transliteration: gôwzâl
   Pronunciation: go-zawl'
   Description: or (shortened) גֹזָלlemma גזָל missing vowel, corrected to גֹזָל; from גָּזַל; a nestling (as being comparatively nude of feathers); young (pigeon).