King James Version

What Does Genesis 15:1 Mean?

Genesis 15:1 in the King James Version says “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy e...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”

Genesis 15:1 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

1

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

2

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?

3

And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

Read Genesis 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am t... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Covenant Ceremony emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
אַחַ֣ר׀1 of 19

“After”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

דְבַר2 of 19

“the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֗לֶּה3 of 19
H428

these or those

הָיָ֤ה4 of 19

“came”

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

דְבַר5 of 19

“the word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

יְהוָה֙6 of 19

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל7 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְרָ֗ם8 of 19

“not Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

בַּֽמַּחֲזֶ֖ה9 of 19

“in a vision”

H4236

a vision

לֵאמֹ֑ר10 of 19

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל11 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֣א12 of 19

“Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אַבְרָ֗ם13 of 19

“not Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

אָֽנֹכִי֙14 of 19
H595

i

מָגֵ֣ן15 of 19

“I am thy shield”

H4043

a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile

לָ֔ךְ16 of 19
H0
שְׂכָֽרְךָ֖17 of 19

“reward”

H7939

payment of contract; concretely, salary, fare, maintenance; by implication, compensation, benefit

הַרְבֵּ֥ה18 of 19

“great”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

מְאֹֽד׃19 of 19

“and thy exceeding”

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 15:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 15:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 41:10Psalms 119:114Psalms 84:11Hebrews 13:5-6Genesis 26:24Isaiah 41:14

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