King James Version

What Does Genesis 15:2 Mean?

Genesis 15:2 in the King James Version says “And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

Genesis 15:2 · KJV

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.

4

And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

Read Genesis 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house... 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. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַבְרָ֗ם2 of 16

“And Abram”

H87

abram, the original name of abraham

אֲדֹנָ֤י3 of 16

“Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יֱהוִה֙4 of 16

“GOD”

H3069

god

מַה5 of 16
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִּתֶּן6 of 16

“what wilt thou give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִ֔י7 of 16
H0
וְאָֽנֹכִ֖י8 of 16
H595

i

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ9 of 16

“me seeing I go”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

עֲרִירִ֑י10 of 16

“childless”

H6185

bare, i.e., destitute (of children)

וּבֶן11 of 16

“and the steward”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מֶ֣שֶׁק12 of 16
H4943

possession

בֵּיתִ֔י13 of 16

“of my house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

ה֖וּא14 of 16

“is this”

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

דַּמֶּ֥שֶׂק15 of 16

“of Damascus”

H1834

damascus, a city of syria

אֱלִיעֶֽזֶר׃16 of 16

“Eliezer”

H461

eliezer, the name of a damascene and of ten israelites

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 15:2 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 15:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 25:211 Samuel 1:11Genesis 12:1-3Acts 7:5Genesis 43:19Isaiah 56:5

Places in This Verse

DamascusSettlement · Modern: Damascus · 33.51°N, 36.31°E58 verses across 15 books
View all places in Genesis 15 →

Test Your Knowledge

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