King James Version

What Does Genesis 15:14 Mean?

Genesis 15:14 in the King James Version says “And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 15:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

Read Genesis 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with gr... 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 this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וְגַ֧ם1 of 12
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת2 of 12
H853

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

הַגּ֛וֹי3 of 12

“And also that nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 12
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יַֽעֲבֹ֖דוּ5 of 12

“whom they shall serve”

H5647

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

דָּ֣ן6 of 12

“will I judge”

H1777

to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)

אָנֹ֑כִי7 of 12
H595

i

וְאַֽחֲרֵי8 of 12

“and afterward”

H310

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

כֵ֥ן9 of 12
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יֵֽצְא֖וּ10 of 12

“shall they come out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

בִּרְכֻ֥שׁ11 of 12

“substance”

H7399

property (as gathered)

גָּדֽוֹל׃12 of 12

“with great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

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 15:14 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 15:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 9:9-11Exodus 6:5-6Exodus 12:32-38Joshua 24:4-7Exodus 7:1-14Psalms 135:14

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