Bible Strands
Genesis 15:2
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?”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Abram addresses the LORD following a divine vision that promised protection and reward. He voices his concern immediately after God's assurance, noting his lack of children and the current status of his household heir.
The words — אֲדֹנָי (Adonai) = Lord and יֱהוָה (Yahweh) = Yahweh appear together to identify the speaker's addressee. מַה תִּתֵּן (mah ti.ten) = what will you give frames the question as a direct inquiry into divine provision.
The thread — This dialogue on barrenness and inheritance connects to Genesis 25:21 and Genesis 12:1, where God's call and promises intersect with human lack. It parallels the vow-making of 1 Samuel 1:11, where petitioners directly address the LORD regarding offspring.
Why it lands — The text records Abram's factual concern about succession rather than offering a theological resolution. It requires the reader to note the tension between a spoken promise and an unfulfilled reality.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- Genesis 25:21 Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.
- Genesis 12:1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
- Acts 7:5 He gave him no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised to give possession of the land to Abraham and his descendants, even though he did not yet have a child.
- Genesis 24:2 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
- Genesis 24:10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.
- Genesis 43:19 So they approached Joseph’s steward and spoke to him at the entrance to the house.
- Genesis 44:1 Then Joseph instructed his steward: “Fill the men’s sacks with as much food as they can carry, and put each one’s silver in the mouth of his sack.
- Psalms 127:3 Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.
- Proverbs 17:2 A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.