Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace… In illustration of this very ancient mode of ratifying a covenant, Roberts says — "It is an interesting fact that the burning lamp or tire is still used in the East in confirmation of a covenant. Should a person in the evening make a solemn promise to perform something for another, and should the latter doubt his word, the former will say, pointing to the flame of the lamp, 'That is the witness.' On occasions of greater importance, when two or more join in a covenant, should the fidelity of any be questioned, they will say, ' We invoke the lamp of the temple.' When an agreement of this kind is broken, it will be said, 'Who would have thought this, for the lamp of the temple was invoked'?" Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
    |