Genesis 15:6

KJV

And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he believed {H539} in the LORD {H3068}; and he counted {H2803} it to him for righteousness {H6666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He believed in ADONAI, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible

Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

American Standard Version

And he believed in Jehovah; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 15:6 stands as a monumental declaration, revealing that Abraham's unwavering trust in God's seemingly impossible promise of countless descendants was divinely credited to him as righteousness. This verse establishes a foundational biblical principle, echoed throughout Scripture, that a right standing with God is achieved not through human merit, works, or lineage, but through faith, thereby laying the groundwork for the doctrine of justification by faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse is nestled within a dramatic narrative in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abraham"). Following God's initial call and promises to Abraham in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call and Promise to Abraham"), Abraham has journeyed to the promised land but still lacks an heir. The immediate preceding verses (Genesis 15:1-5) detail Abraham's lament to the LORD about his childlessness, expressing concern that his servant Eliezer will be his heir. In response, God reaffirms His promise, leading Abraham outside to gaze at the stars and declaring, "So shall thy seed be" (Genesis 15:5). It is in direct response to this divine, seemingly impossible, reassurance that Abraham's profound act of faith is recorded in verse 6, which then immediately precedes the formal covenant ceremony in the latter part of the chapter (Genesis 15:7-21).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a man's legacy was inextricably linked to his descendants. To be childless was a significant personal and social tragedy, often interpreted as a sign of divine disfavor. Promises of land and progeny were common elements of ancient covenants, but God's promise to Abraham was extraordinary in its scope and the fact that it was given to an elderly, childless couple. The concept of "righteousness" (צְדָקָה, _tsᵉdâqâh_) was understood in legal and relational terms, signifying conformity to a standard, right conduct, or a right relationship. For God to "count" or "reckon" someone as righteous was a profound legal and relational declaration, particularly significant in a culture where status and standing were paramount.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 15:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Promise and Faithfulness**, highlighting God's commitment to His word despite human limitations or doubts. It introduces and develops the critical theme of **Justification by Faith**, establishing that a right relationship with God is a gift received through trust, not earned through human effort. This concept becomes foundational for understanding salvation throughout Scripture, from the initial call to Abraham to the New Testament's exposition of salvation in Christ. Furthermore, it reinforces the theme of **Covenant Relationship**, demonstrating that faith is the proper human response to God's initiative in establishing a binding relationship with humanity, as seen in the subsequent covenant ceremony in [Genesis 15:7-21](/genesis/15-7-21 "The Abrahamic Covenant Ceremony").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** From H539, a primitive root meaning "to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain." Abraham's belief was not mere intellectual assent but a profound, active reliance on God's character and word. It signifies leaning upon, being sure of, and relying completely on God's faithfulness and power, even when the promise defied natural explanation. This was a deep, unwavering trust, a commitment of his whole being to God's word.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, derived from הָיָה meaning "(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God." This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, unchanging nature and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Abraham's faith was placed specifically in the personal, covenant-keeping God, YHWH, not in a generic deity or abstract concept.
* **counted (Hebrew, _châshab'_):** From H2803, a primitive root meaning "to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute." In this context, it means to calculate, attribute, or reckon. God "calculated" or "attributed" righteousness to Abraham's account because of his active trust. This is a legal declaration, a divine accounting, where God declares a person righteous based on their faith, rather than their inherent sinfulness.
* **righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** From H6666, meaning "rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)." Here, it refers to a right standing before God. It is not an inherent moral perfection on Abraham's part, but a status graciously imputed by God. It signifies being declared just, innocent, and in right relationship with God, a status that is a gift received by faith.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he believed in the LORD":** This clause highlights Abraham's pivotal response to God's renewed promise of innumerable descendants. The verb "believed" (אָמָן, _ʼâman_) signifies a deep, unwavering trust and reliance on God's character and His word. It was an active, personal commitment of Abraham's entire being to the truthfulness and power of the covenant-keeping God (YHWH), even when the circumstances of his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness made the promise humanly impossible. His faith was not a passive intellectual assent but a profound act of trust in the One who is faithful.
* **"and he counted it to him for righteousness":** This second clause reveals God's divine response to Abraham's faith. The verb "counted" (חָשַׁב, _châshab_) indicates a judicial or accounting act. God, in His sovereign grace, imputed or credited Abraham's faith as righteousness. This means that Abraham's right standing before God was not earned through his own works, obedience, or inherent moral perfection, but was graciously declared by God on the basis of his trust. This divine declaration established Abraham in a righteous relationship with God, a status freely given and received by faith, setting a crucial precedent for understanding how sinful humanity can be reconciled to a holy God.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 15:6 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Imputation**, where Abraham's faith is "counted" or "reckoned" as righteousness. This is a legal or accounting metaphor, where a quality or status is attributed to someone's account, not necessarily because they inherently possess it, but because it is divinely credited. This concept is foundational for understanding justification. Additionally, there is **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**, as this verse sets a theological precedent that will be extensively developed in later biblical texts, particularly in the New Testament's exposition of salvation. The contrast between Abraham's human inability to produce an heir and God's boundless power to fulfill His promise also highlights a form of **Divine Irony** or **Paradox**, where human weakness becomes the context for divine strength and grace to be displayed.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 15:6 is a theological cornerstone, profoundly shaping our understanding of salvation. It unequivocally establishes that a right relationship with God is not earned through human merit or adherence to a legal code, but is graciously bestowed by God upon those who respond to His promises with genuine faith. This concept of divine imputation, where God credits righteousness to the believer's account, underscores His sovereign grace and initiative in saving humanity. It reveals that salvation has always been, and continues to be, by grace through faith, setting the stage for the New Testament's full articulation of justification in Christ.

* [Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Paul's Argument for Justification by Faith")
* [Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Abraham's Faith and Righteousness")
* [James 2:23](/james/2-23 "Abraham's Faith and Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 15:6 offers an enduring and liberating truth for every believer: our standing before God is not contingent upon our performance, our lineage, or our inherent goodness, but solely upon our trusting reliance on His character and His unfailing promises. Like Abraham, we are called to place our complete faith in God, particularly when His word seems to defy our logic, our circumstances, or our limitations. This verse encourages us to embrace a life of active, unwavering trust, knowing that God graciously imputes righteousness to those who believe, thereby securing our reconciliation and an unbreakable relationship with Him. It frees us from the burden of earning our salvation and invites us into the joy of receiving it as a gift, prompting a life lived not *for* acceptance, but *from* acceptance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific promises of God am I struggling to believe in my current circumstances, and how can Abraham's example encourage me?**
* **How does understanding that righteousness is "counted" or "imputed" by God, rather than earned, change my perspective on my relationship with Him?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to rely on my own efforts or merits for my standing with God, and how can I re-center my faith on His grace?**

### FAQ
**What does 'counted it to him for righteousness' mean?**

Answer: This phrase signifies a divine act of imputation, where God legally declared or attributed righteousness to Abraham's account. It means that Abraham's faith was the basis upon which God reckoned him as righteous, not because he was inherently perfect or earned it through his own actions, but because God graciously credited his trust as the grounds for a right standing with Him. It's a declaration of status, not a statement of inherent sinlessness.

**Was Abraham already righteous before this verse?**

Answer: While Abraham had a relationship with God and had previously obeyed His call (e.g., leaving Ur in [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's Call to Abraham")), this verse highlights a specific, pivotal moment where his *faith* was the direct and explicit basis for God *imputing* righteousness to him. It clarifies the mechanism by which he was declared righteous, emphasizing that his righteousness was a gift received by faith, not an inherent state or something he achieved through his own merit. It's a theological statement about the *source* and *means* of his righteousness.

**How does Abraham's faith relate to Christian salvation?**

Answer: Abraham's experience in [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Abraham's Faith Credited as Righteousness") is cited by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament as the foundational Old Testament example of justification by faith. In [Romans 4:3](/romans/4-3 "Paul's Argument for Justification by Faith") and [Galatians 3:6](/galatians/3-6 "Abraham's Faith and Righteousness"), Paul argues that just as Abraham was declared righteous by believing God's promise, so too are believers today declared righteous by trusting in Jesus Christ and His atoning work. Abraham's faith serves as a prototype, demonstrating that salvation has always been by God's grace, received through faith, culminating in the perfect work of Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 15:6 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Abraham's faith, credited as righteousness, serves as a profound foreshadowing of the perfect righteousness of Christ, which is not merely credited but actually imputed to all who believe in Him. Christ, as the ultimate object of faith, perfectly fulfilled all of God's promises, living a sinless life and offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice on the cross. Through His death and resurrection, He provided the complete and sufficient basis for God to declare sinners righteous, not by their own merit, but by grace through faith in Him. As Paul powerfully articulates in [Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21-26 "Righteousness Through Faith in Christ"), God demonstrates His own righteousness by justifying those who have faith in Jesus. Thus, Abraham's experience of justification by faith is a prophetic blueprint for the glorious reality of salvation found in Christ, where believers are not just counted righteous, but are made truly righteous in Him, becoming heirs of Abraham's blessing (cf. [Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Heirs of Abraham by Faith")).

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

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Galatians 3:6

¶ Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Galatians 3:14

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Romans 4:9

¶ [Cometh] this blessedness then upon the circumcision [only], or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

Romans 4:20

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

Romans 4:25

Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 4:3

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.