Genesis 15:17
New International Version
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces.

New Living Translation
After the sun went down and darkness fell, Abram saw a smoking firepot and a flaming torch pass between the halves of the carcasses.

English Standard Version
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.

Berean Standard Bible
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

New King James Version
And it came to pass, when the sun went down and it was dark, that behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.

New American Standard Bible
Now it came about, when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, a smoking oven and a flaming torch appeared which passed between these pieces.

NASB 1995
It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

NASB 1977
And it came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that the sun had set, and it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces.

Amplified Bible
When the sun had gone down and a [deep] darkness had come, there appeared a smoking brazier and a flaming torch which passed between the [divided] pieces [of the animals].

Christian Standard Bible
When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the divided animals.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the divided animals.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.

Contemporary English Version
Sometime after sunset, when it was very dark, a smoking cooking pot and a flaming fire passed between the two halves of each animal.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The sun had gone down, and it was dark. Suddenly a smoking oven and a flaming torch passed between the animal pieces.

Good News Translation
When the sun had set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch suddenly appeared and passed between the pieces of the animals.

International Standard Version
When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.

Majority Standard Bible
When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses.

NET Bible
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking firepot with a flaming torch passed between the animal parts.

New Heart English Bible
It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, look, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, that when the sun had gone down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

World English Bible
It came to pass that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold, a smoking furnace and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass—the sun has gone in, and thick darkness has been and behold, a furnace of smoke, and a lamp of fire, which has passed over between those pieces.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass -- the sun hath gone in, and thick darkness hath been -- and lo, a furnace of smoke, and a lamp of fire, which hath passed over between those pieces.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sun shall be going down, and it was thick darkness, and behold a furnace of smoke and a lamp of fire that passed over between these pieces.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when the sun was set, there arose a dark mist, and there appeared a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between those divisions.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, when the sun had set, there came a dark mist, and there appeared a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between those divisions.

New American Bible
When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch, which passed between those pieces.

New Revised Standard Version
When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass that when the sun had set and it was dark, behold there appeared a smoking furnace and a burning torch that passed between those pieces.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sun was setting; there was darkness and behold, a furnace that smoked and a lamp of fire that passed between these halves.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and there was thick darkness, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when the sun was about to set, there was a flame, and behold a smoking furnace and lamps of fire, which passed between these divided pieces.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Confirms His Promise
16In the fourth generation your descendants will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” 17When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, behold, a smoking firepot and a flaming torch appeared and passed between the halves of the carcasses. 18On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—…

Cross References
Exodus 13:21-22
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. / Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people.

Exodus 19:18
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Exodus 40:34-38
Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Moses was unable to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. / Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle, the Israelites would set out through all the stages of their journey. ...

Deuteronomy 4:11-12
You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice.

Deuteronomy 5:22-24
The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. / And when you heard the voice out of the darkness while the mountain was blazing with fire, all the heads of your tribes and your elders approached me, / and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him.

1 Kings 18:38
Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. / The priests were unable to enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled it. / When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

Isaiah 4:5
Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over her assemblies a cloud of smoke by day and a glowing flame of fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a canopy,

Isaiah 6:4
At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

Ezekiel 1:4
I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber,

Ezekiel 10:2
And the LORD said to the man clothed in linen, “Go inside the wheelwork beneath the cherubim. Fill your hands with burning coals from among the cherubim and scatter them over the city.” And as I watched, he went in.

Daniel 3:25
“Look!” he exclaimed. “I see four men, unbound and unharmed, walking around in the fire—and the fourth looks like a son of the gods!”

Matthew 3:16-17
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. / And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”

Matthew 17:5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”

Mark 9:7
Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!”


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

smoking.

Exodus 3:2,3
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed…

Deuteronomy 4:20
But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

Judges 6:21
Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

a burning lamp.

2 Samuel 22:9
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

passed.

Jeremiah 34:18,19
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof, …

Jump to Previous
Appeared Bodies Burning Dark Darkness Fallen Fire Firepot Flaming Furnace Lamp Oven Parts Passed Pieces Pot Smoking Sun Thick Torch
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Appeared Bodies Burning Dark Darkness Fallen Fire Firepot Flaming Furnace Lamp Oven Parts Passed Pieces Pot Smoking Sun Thick Torch
Genesis 15
1. God encourages Abram, who asks for an heir.
4. God promises him a son, and a multiplying of his seed.
6. Abram is justified by faith.
7. Canaan is promised again,
9. and confirmed by a sign, and a vision,
18. prophetic of the condition of his posterity till brought out of Egypt.














When the sun had set
This phrase marks the transition from day to night, symbolizing a shift from human activity to divine intervention. In the Hebrew context, the setting sun often signifies the end of human effort and the beginning of God's work. The setting sun in this passage sets the stage for a divine encounter, emphasizing that what follows is orchestrated by God Himself, beyond human control or influence.

and darkness had fallen
Darkness in the Bible often represents mystery, the unknown, or the presence of God. In this context, it underscores the solemnity and gravity of the covenant being established. The Hebrew word for darkness, "ḥōšeḵ," can also imply a divine presence, as seen in other scriptural instances where God appears in thick darkness, such as on Mount Sinai. This darkness envelops the scene, creating an atmosphere of awe and reverence.

behold
This word serves as an invitation to witness something extraordinary. In Hebrew, "hineh" is often used to draw attention to a significant event or revelation. It signals the reader to pay close attention to the divine manifestation that is about to occur, highlighting its importance in the narrative.

a smoking firepot
The smoking firepot, or "tannur" in Hebrew, is a symbol of God's presence and judgment. Smoke often accompanies divine appearances, as seen in the smoke on Mount Sinai. The firepot here represents God's purifying and consuming nature, indicating His active role in the covenant process. It is a visual representation of God's holiness and His commitment to the covenant with Abram.

and a flaming torch
The flaming torch, or "lapid" in Hebrew, symbolizes light, guidance, and revelation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, torches were used in covenant ceremonies to signify the presence of the divine. The torch here represents God's guidance and His illuminating presence in the covenant. It signifies that God Himself will lead and fulfill the promises made to Abram.

appeared and passed
The appearance and movement of these symbols indicate God's active participation in the covenant. The Hebrew verb "ʿābar," meaning to pass through, suggests a deliberate and purposeful action. This movement signifies God's commitment to the covenant, as He alone passes between the pieces, taking upon Himself the full responsibility for its fulfillment.

between the halves of the carcasses
This phrase refers to the ancient covenant ritual where animals were cut in half, and the parties involved would walk between the pieces, symbolizing their commitment to the covenant. In this context, only God, represented by the smoking firepot and flaming torch, passes between the halves, signifying that He unconditionally binds Himself to the promises made to Abram. This act underscores the unilateral nature of God's covenant, emphasizing His grace and faithfulness.

(17) A smoking furnace.--The word really means the circular firepot which Orientals use in their houses to sit round for purposes of warmth. This one was wreathed in smoke, out of which shot "a burning lamp" (Heb., a torch of flame). For not two symbols, but only one, passed between the divided carcases. Abram had probably passed between them immediately after arranging them, and now Jehovah does the same. Fire is the recognised symbol of the Deity, as in the burning bush, the pillar of fire, the lightnings on Mount Sinai, &c.

Verse 17. - And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, - literally, and it was (i.e. this took place), the sun went down; less accurately, ἐπεὶ δὲ ὁ ἤλιιος ἐγένετο πρὸς δυσμὰς (LXX.), which was the state of matters in Ver. 12. Here the sun, which was then setting, is described as having set - and it was dark, - literally, and darkness was, i.e. a darkness that might be felt, as in Ver. 12; certainly not φλὸξ ἐγένετο (LXX.), as if there were another flame besides the one specified in the description - behold a smoking furnace, - the תַּנּוּר, or Oriental furnace, had the form of a cylindrical fire-pot (cf. Gesenius, p. 869; Keil in loco) - and a burning lamp - a lamp of fire, or fiery torch, emerging from the smoking stove: an emblem of the Divine presence (cf. Exodus 19:18) - that passed between those pieces - in ratification of the covenant.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the sun
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙ (haš·še·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement

had set
בָּ֔אָה (bā·’āh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and darkness
וַעֲלָטָ֖ה (wa·‘ă·lā·ṭāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5939: Thick darkness

had fallen,
וַיְהִ֤י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

behold,
וְהִנֵּ֨ה (wə·hin·nêh)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

a smoking
עָשָׁן֙ (‘ā·šān)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6227: Smoke

firepot
תַנּ֤וּר (ṯan·nūr)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 8574: (portable) stove, firepot

and a flaming
אֵ֔שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

torch
וְלַפִּ֣יד (wə·lap·pîḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3940: A flambeau, lamp, flame

appeared and passed
עָבַ֔ר (‘ā·ḇar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

between
בֵּ֖ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the halves
הַגְּזָרִ֥ים (hag·gə·zā·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1506: Something cut off, a portion

[of the carcasses].
הָאֵֽלֶּה׃ (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those


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OT Law: Genesis 15:17 It came to pass that when (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 15:16
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