Genesis 15:8
New International Version
But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”

New Living Translation
But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, how can I be sure that I will actually possess it?”

English Standard Version
But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”

Berean Standard Bible
But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?”

King James Bible
And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

New King James Version
And he said, “Lord GOD, how shall I know that I will inherit it?”

New American Standard Bible
But he said, “Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?”

NASB 1995
He said, “O Lord GOD, how may I know that I will possess it?”

NASB 1977
And he said, “O Lord GOD, how may I know that I shall possess it?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “O Lord Yahweh, how may I know that I will possess it?”

Amplified Bible
But Abram said, “Lord GOD, by what [proof] will I know that I will inherit it?”

Christian Standard Bible
But he said, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But he said, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?”

American Standard Version
And he said, O Lord Jehovah, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Contemporary English Version
Abram asked, "LORD God, how can I know the land will be mine?"

English Revised Version
And he said, O Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abram asked, "Almighty LORD, how can I be certain that I will take possession of it?"

Good News Translation
But Abram asked, "Sovereign LORD, how can I know that it will be mine?"

International Standard Version
But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?"

Majority Standard Bible
But Abram replied, ?Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it??

NET Bible
But Abram said, "O sovereign LORD, by what can I know that I am to possess it?"

New Heart English Bible
But he said, "Lord, how can I know that I will possess it?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, Lord GOD, by what shall I know that I shall inherit it?

World English Bible
He said, “Lord Yahweh, how will I know that I will inherit it?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says, “Lord YHWH, whereby do I know that I possess it?”

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith, 'Lord Jehovah, whereby do I know that I possess it?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, My Lord Jehovah, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he said: Lord God, whereby may I know that I shall possess it?

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he said, “Lord God, in what way may I be able to know that I will possess it?”

New American Bible
“Lord GOD,” he asked, “how will I know that I will possess it?”

New Revised Standard Version
But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abram said, O LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abram said, “LORD JEHOVAH, God, by what shall I know that I am heir to it”?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'O Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, Master and Lord, how shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God Confirms His Promise
8But Abram replied, “Lord GOD, how can I know that I will possess it?” 9And 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.”…

Cross References
Hebrews 11:8-10
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, without knowing where he was going. / By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. / For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

Romans 4:20-21
Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

Exodus 3:12
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Judges 6:17
Gideon answered, “If I have found favor in Your sight, give me a sign that it is You speaking with me.

Luke 1:18
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.”

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

John 20:25-29
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” / Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” / Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.” ...

Matthew 11:3
to ask Him, “Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

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.

Psalm 37:3-5
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. / Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.

Isaiah 7:11-14
“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ...

1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / 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 Kings 20:8-11
Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” / And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” / “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.” ...

Deuteronomy 18:21-22
You may ask in your heart, “How can we recognize a message that the LORD has not spoken?” / When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD and the message does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him.

Numbers 14:11
And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, LORD God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

Genesis 24:2-4,13,14
And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: …

Judges 6:17-24,36-40
And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me…

1 Samuel 14:9,10
If they say thus unto us, Tarry until we come to you; then we will stand still in our place, and will not go up unto them…

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Abram Gain Inherit Possess Possession Sovereign Whereby
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Abram Gain Inherit Possess Possession Sovereign Whereby
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.














But Abram replied
Abram, later known as Abraham, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, often referred to as the father of faith. His response here is part of a dialogue with God, highlighting a personal and direct relationship. This interaction is significant as it shows Abram's willingness to engage with God, a characteristic that defines his faith journey. Abram's reply is not one of disbelief but a request for assurance, reflecting a human desire for confirmation of divine promises.

“Lord GOD
The use of "Lord GOD" in this context is a translation of the Hebrew "Adonai Yahweh," a combination of titles that emphasize both the sovereignty and the covenantal nature of God. This dual title underscores God's authority and His personal relationship with Abram. It is a reminder of God's power and His commitment to His promises, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.

how can I know
Abram's question is a request for assurance and a sign. In the ancient Near Eastern context, covenants were often accompanied by signs or rituals to confirm the agreement. Abram's request is not unusual for the time and reflects a common practice of seeking tangible evidence of a promise. This question sets the stage for the covenant ceremony that follows, where God provides a sign to Abram.

that I will possess it?”
The "it" refers to the land promised to Abram and his descendants. This promise of land is a central theme in the Abrahamic covenant and is foundational to the narrative of the Israelites. The land of Canaan, which Abram is promised, is significant both geographically and theologically. It is a land that will later become the setting for much of Israel's history. This promise is reiterated throughout the Old Testament and is seen as a precursor to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who offers a spiritual inheritance to believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abram (Abraham)
A key patriarch in the Bible, Abram is chosen by God to be the father of many nations. In Genesis 15, he is in dialogue with God, expressing his faith and seeking assurance of God's promises.

2. Lord GOD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God who reveals Himself to Abram. In this passage, God is making a covenant with Abram, promising him descendants and land.

3. The Covenant
This chapter is significant for the covenant God makes with Abram, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.

4. Canaan
The land promised to Abram and his descendants, representing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

5. The Vision
Abram receives a vision from God, which is a divine communication that reassures him of God's promises.
Teaching Points
Faith and Assurance
Abram's question, "How can I know that I will possess it?" reflects a natural human desire for assurance. It teaches us that seeking confirmation from God is part of a faith journey.

God's Covenant Faithfulness
The covenant with Abram is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises, even when the path is unclear.

The Role of Questions in Faith
Abram's inquiry shows that asking questions is not a sign of weak faith but a step towards deeper understanding and trust in God.

The Importance of Divine Revelation
God's response to Abram's question comes through a vision, highlighting the importance of divine revelation in understanding God's will and promises.

Trusting God's Timing
Abram had to wait for the fulfillment of God's promises, teaching us patience and trust in God's perfect timing.(8) Lord God.--Heb., Lord Jehovah, as in Genesis 15:2.

Whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?--Jehovah had required Abram to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldees on a general promise of future endowment with the land of Canaan. Abram now asks this question, not from want of faith, but from a desire for a more direct confirmation of the promise and fuller knowledge of the details. What Abram, therefore, receives is an exact and circumstantial prophecy, made in the form of a solemn covenant.

Verse 8. - And he said, Lord God (Adonai Jehovah; vide Ver. 2), whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? Not the language of doubt, though slight misgivings are not incompatible with faith (cf. Judges 6:17; 2 Kings 20:8; Luke 1:34), and questioning with God "is rather a proof of faith than a sign of incredulity" (Calvin); but of desire for a sign in confirmation of the grant (Luther), either for the strengthening of his own faith (Chrysostom, Augustine, Keil, 'Speaker's Commentary'), or for the sake of his posterity (Jarchi, Michaelis), or for some intimation as to the time and mode of taking possession (Murphy). Rosenmüller conceives the question put in Abram's mouth to be only a device of the narrator's to lead up to the subject following.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But [Abram] replied,
וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Lord
אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

GOD,
יֱהוִ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

how
בַּמָּ֥ה (bam·māh)
Preposition-b | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

can I know
אֵדַ֖ע (’ê·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I will possess it?”
אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּה׃ (’î·rā·šen·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3423: To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin


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OT Law: Genesis 15:8 He said Lord Yahweh how will (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 15:7
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