King James Version

What Does Genesis 15:13 Mean?

Genesis 15:13 in the King James Version says “And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;”

Genesis 15:13 · KJV

Context

11

And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

12

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

13

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

14

And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

15

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

Read Genesis 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not the... 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. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 17

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְאַבְרָ֗ם2 of 17

“unto Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

תֵּדַ֜ע3 of 17

“Know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

תֵּדַ֜ע4 of 17

“Know”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּי5 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

גֵ֣ר׀6 of 17

“shall be a stranger”

H1616

properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה7 of 17
H1961

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

זַרְעֲךָ֗8 of 17

“that thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

בְּאֶ֙רֶץ֙9 of 17

“in a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹ֣א10 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לָהֶ֔ם11 of 17
H0
וַֽעֲבָד֖וּם12 of 17

“that is not theirs and shall serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

וְעִנּ֣וּ13 of 17

“them and they shall afflict”

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אֹתָ֑ם14 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַרְבַּ֥ע15 of 17

“them four”

H702

four

מֵא֖וֹת16 of 17

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

שָׁנָֽה׃17 of 17

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

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 15:13 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 15:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 7:6-7Exodus 1:11Exodus 12:40-41Acts 7:17Exodus 1:1-2Galatians 3:17

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