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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Abram {H87} said {H559}, Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, what wilt thou give {H5414} me, seeing I go {H1980} childless {H6185}, and the steward {H1121}{H4943} of my house {H1004} is this {H1931} Eliezer {H461} of Damascus {H1834}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Avram replied, "ADONAI, God, what good will your gifts be to me if I continue childless; and Eli'ezer from Dammesek inherits my possessions?

Berean Standard Bible

But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”

American Standard Version

And Abram said, O Lord Jehovah, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and he that shall be possessor of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In a moment of profound vulnerability, Abram expresses his deep concern to the Lord GOD regarding his childless state, despite divine promises of countless descendants. He highlights the practical reality that Eliezer of Damascus, his trusted chief servant, is currently the de facto heir to his vast household. This lament reveals Abram's human struggle to reconcile God's magnificent promises with his present circumstances, setting the stage for a pivotal reaffirmation and expansion of God's covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 15:2 immediately follows God's powerful reassurance to Abram in [Genesis 15:1](/genesis/15-1 "God's Reassurance to Abram"), where the Lord appears in a vision, declaring, "Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." This divine declaration is meant to alleviate Abram's fears, likely stemming from his recent military victory and potential retribution (as seen in [Genesis 14](/genesis/14 "Abram's Victory and Melchizedek")). However, Abram's response in [Genesis 15:2](/genesis/15-2 "Abram's Lament to God") pivots from external threats to an internal, deeply personal struggle: the lack of an heir. This transition highlights that for Abram, the most pressing concern was not wealth or safety, but the fulfillment of God's promise of a numerous offspring, which seemed impossible given his and Sarai's advanced age and barrenness. The direct, conversational nature of this exchange sets the tone for the subsequent covenant ceremony in [Genesis 15:7-21](/genesis/15-7-21 "The Abrahamic Covenant Ceremony"), where God formally ratifies His promises.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, particularly during the time of Abram (early 2nd millennium BCE), the concept of family continuity and inheritance was paramount. Childlessness, especially the absence of a male heir, was considered a significant misfortune, a potential curse, and a threat to the family's legacy and property. Laws and customs from Mesopotamia, such as those found in the Nuzi tablets (15th-14th century BCE), shed light on the practice Abram references. These documents indicate that in the absence of a natural son, a childless couple might adopt a trusted servant (often a slave born in the household) as an heir. This adopted son would manage the estate during the parents' lifetime and inherit upon their death. However, such an arrangement was typically contingent: if a natural son was later born, the adopted son's inheritance rights would usually revert, or he would receive a lesser portion. Abram's mention of Eliezer as his "steward" and potential heir reflects this cultural reality, underscoring the urgency and gravity of his childless state in a society where lineage was everything. Damascus, a prominent city in Syria, would have been a known and significant place, adding a layer of authenticity to Eliezer's identity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, as Abram's lament serves as a catalyst for God to reiterate and expand His promises, demonstrating His unwavering commitment despite human doubt or perceived delays. It also highlights the theme of **Divine Promise and Human Expectation**, showcasing the tension between God's supernatural assurances and the natural limitations and expectations of humanity. Abram's honest questioning underscores the theme of **Honesty in Prayer**, validating the act of bringing one's deepest fears and perceived contradictions directly to God. Furthermore, the emphasis on a biological heir points to the crucial theme of **Lineage and Redemptive History**, as the promised "seed" (ultimately Christ) would come through this specific, divinely appointed line, underscoring the meticulous nature of God's plan for salvation, which begins with the call of Abram in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Call of Abram").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord GOD (Hebrew, _ʼĂdônây Yᵉhôvih'_):** This is a profound and significant address. **_ʼĂdônây_** (H136) is an emphatic form of "master" or "lord," used here as a proper name for God, emphasizing Abram's submission and reverence for God's sovereignty as his Master. **_Yᵉhôvih_** (H3069) is a variation of YHWH (the Tetragrammaton), the personal, covenantal name of God, which Jews would often pronounce as _Elohim_ or _Adonai_ to avoid misusing the sacred name. The combination "Lord GOD" (Adonai YHWH) therefore signifies a deeply personal, reverent, yet direct appeal to the sovereign, covenant-keeping God.
* **childless (Hebrew, _ʻărîyrîy'_):** (H6185) Derived from a root meaning "bare" or "destitute," this word vividly describes Abram's condition: he is without children, specifically without a male heir. This term encapsulates the deep personal and societal void that Abram felt, highlighting the central tension between God's promise of numerous descendants and his current reality of barrenness. It signifies not merely a lack of offspring, but a state of being stripped of the expected legacy and continuity in his culture.
* **steward (Hebrew, _mesheq'_):** (H4943) From an unused root meaning "to hold" or "possession," this term refers to one who manages or possesses on behalf of another. In this context, it describes Eliezer's role as the chief administrator of Abram's vast household and possessions. The word here points to the practical reality of inheritance in the absence of a natural heir, where a trusted servant would take on the responsibility of managing and potentially inheriting the estate. This highlights the contrast between a divinely promised biological heir and a culturally acceptable, but ultimately insufficient, arrangement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Abram said, Lord GOD":** This opening establishes a direct and intimate dialogue between Abram and the Almighty. Abram addresses God with deep reverence, using the combined title "Lord GOD" (_Adonai YHWH_), indicating both his submission to God's authority and his recognition of God's personal, covenantal relationship with him. It sets the tone for a heartfelt and honest plea.
* **"what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless":** This is Abram's core lament and rhetorical question. Despite God's recent reassurance and previous promises of blessing and a great nation, Abram's immediate concern is his lack of a biological heir. This is not necessarily a doubt in God's power, but an honest wrestling with the *how* and *when* of God's fulfillment, given his advanced age and the apparent impossibility of the situation. The phrase "I go childless" (literally, "I am going, childless") emphasizes his ongoing state and the perceived finality of his condition.
* **"and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?":** This clause provides the practical context for Abram's concern. He identifies Eliezer, his chief servant, as the one who would inherit his estate in the absence of a natural son. This highlights the ancient Near Eastern custom of adopting a trusted servant as an heir when no biological son was present. Abram's question implicitly asks, "Is this the fulfillment of your promise? Is Eliezer, a servant from Damascus, to be the heir through whom you will build a great nation, rather than a son of my own body?" It underscores the perceived inadequacy of the current situation against the magnitude of God's promise.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Lament** is evident in Abram's direct expression of sorrow and concern over his childless state, a common biblical motif for expressing deep distress to God. His question, "what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless," functions as a **Rhetorical Question**, not seeking information but rather expressing frustration, bewilderment, and an implicit plea for divine intervention. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: God has promised a lineage as numerous as the stars, yet Abram's immediate reality forces him to consider a servant as his heir, highlighting the vast gap between divine promise and present human circumstance. This setup heightens the dramatic tension, preparing the reader for God's extraordinary and direct response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Abram's honest lament in Genesis 15:2 serves as a pivotal moment, demonstrating that God welcomes genuine, even questioning, dialogue from His people. It underscores the profound tension between divine promise and human experience, revealing God's patience and faithfulness in the face of perceived delays and human limitations. This passage affirms that God's plans are not thwarted by our circumstances but often unfold in ways that transcend natural possibilities, ultimately revealing His sovereign power and unwavering commitment to His covenant.

* [Psalm 13:1-2](/psalms/13-1-2 "Lament and Trust in God") - Illustrates the pattern of honest lament followed by trust in God's faithfulness.
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Abraham's Faith in the Face of Impossibility") - Highlights Abram's faith in God's ability to bring life from what was humanly impossible.
* [Hebrews 11:11](/hebrews/11-11 "Sarah's Faith and the Promise") - Points to Sarah's faith, by which she, too, received power to conceive despite her advanced age, reinforcing the miraculous nature of God's fulfillment.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Abram's raw honesty in [Genesis 15:2](/genesis/15-2 "Abram's Lament to God") provides a powerful model for our own walk of faith. We are often tempted to hide our doubts or fears from God, believing that such vulnerability might displease Him. However, Abram's example shows that God invites our authentic selves, even our deepest struggles and questions about the fulfillment of His promises. When our current circumstances seem to contradict God's word, this passage encourages us to bring those tensions directly to Him, rather than succumbing to despair or trying to figure it out on our own. It reminds us that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our perfect understanding or immediate gratification, but on His unchanging character. Our faith is refined in the crucible of waiting and trusting, as we learn that God's "how" and "when" are always perfect, even when they defy our expectations. Just as God responded to Abram with a dramatic reaffirmation, He meets our honest pleas with grace and a deeper revelation of His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What promises of God are you currently struggling to see fulfilled in your life, and how might Abram's example encourage you to be honest with God about your concerns?**
* **How does the tension between God's promise and Abram's reality in this verse speak to your own experience of waiting on God?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on a "steward" (a human solution or plan B) rather than fully trusting God for His miraculous provision?**

### FAQ
**Why was Abram so concerned about being childless?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern culture, having a male heir was profoundly important for family continuity, inheritance, and legacy. Childlessness was considered a great misfortune and a potential threat to the family's future and property. Abram's concern was not just personal but deeply rooted in the societal norms and, more importantly, the implications for the divine promise of a great nation that would descend from him ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abram")).

**What is the significance of "Lord GOD" in this verse?**

Answer: The Hebrew phrase is _Adonai YHWH_ (rendered "Lord GOD" in KJV). _Adonai_ (H136) means "my Lord" or "my Master," indicating Abram's submission and reverence. YHWH (H3069), the personal, covenantal name of God, emphasizes His faithfulness and His unique relationship with His people. The combination signifies a personal, respectful, yet deeply earnest appeal to the sovereign Creator who has entered into a covenant relationship with Abram.

**Did Abram doubt God's promise?**

Answer: Abram's question reflects a human struggle with the *practical fulfillment* of God's promise given his current circumstances, rather than an outright doubt in God's power or character. He is wrestling with *how* God will accomplish what He said, especially concerning an heir, given his and Sarai's advanced age. This honest questioning is met not with rebuke, but with a further, more detailed reaffirmation of God's covenant ([Genesis 15:4-5](/genesis/15-4-5 "God's Reassurance of a Son and Descendants")), demonstrating God's patience and willingness to engage with human vulnerability and perceived impossibilities.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Abram's deep longing for a biological heir in [Genesis 15:2](/genesis/15-2 "Abram's Desire for an Heir"), which seemed impossible by natural means, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While God promised Abram a physical descendant, the New Testament reveals that the true "seed" through whom all nations would be blessed is Christ Himself ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham")). Through Christ, the promise of countless descendants is realized not merely by physical birth, but by spiritual adoption into God's family through faith. Believers, whether Jew or Gentile, become spiritual children of Abraham and "heirs according to the promise" through their union with Christ ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs through Christ")). Jesus, as the Son of Abraham ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Genealogy of Jesus")), is the one who ultimately inherits all things and through whom God establishes a spiritual nation far vaster and more glorious than Abram could have ever conceived, whose inheritance is eternal life and participation in God's kingdom ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 7:5

And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.

Genesis 25:21

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Psalms 127:3

Lo, children [are] an heritage of the LORD: [and] the fruit of the womb [is his] reward.

Genesis 44:1

¶ And he commanded the steward of his house, saying, Fill the men's sacks [with] food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.

Genesis 39:4

And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.

Genesis 39:6

And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was [a] goodly [person], and well favoured.

Proverbs 17:2

¶ A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren.