Genesis 15:9
And the LORD said to him, "Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon."
So the LORD said to him
This phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Abram, emphasizing the personal relationship and covenantal dialogue between the divine and human. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, which underscores His eternal and unchanging nature. This divine instruction is part of a larger narrative where God is establishing His covenant with Abram, a pivotal moment in biblical history that sets the stage for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

Bring Me
The command "Bring Me" signifies an act of obedience and worship. In the ancient Near Eastern context, bringing a sacrifice was a common practice to establish covenants or agreements. This act of bringing is not merely a physical action but a spiritual one, symbolizing Abram's faith and submission to God's will. It reflects the principle that true worship involves offering something of value to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and grace.

a heifer, a goat, and a ram
These animals were commonly used in sacrificial rituals in the ancient world. Each animal holds specific significance in the sacrificial system. The "heifer" (Hebrew: "eglah") often symbolizes strength and service. The "goat" (Hebrew: "ez") is associated with atonement and sin offerings, as seen later in Levitical laws. The "ram" (Hebrew: "ayil") is frequently linked to substitutionary sacrifice, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The selection of these animals indicates a comprehensive offering, covering various aspects of atonement and covenantal commitment.

each three years old
The specification of "three years old" suggests maturity and completeness. In biblical numerology, the number three often represents divine perfection and completeness. These animals, being in their prime, symbolize the best and most perfect offering to God. This requirement underscores the principle that God deserves our best, not our leftovers, in worship and sacrifice.

along with a turtledove and a young pigeon
The inclusion of "a turtledove and a young pigeon" provides an option for those who might not afford larger animals, reflecting God's provision and inclusivity in worship. Birds were often used in sacrifices for purification and atonement, as seen in Levitical laws. The "turtledove" (Hebrew: "tor") and "young pigeon" (Hebrew: "gozal") are symbols of innocence and purity. Their presence in the sacrificial list highlights the accessibility of God's covenant to all, regardless of economic status, and points to the purity required in approaching a holy God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abram (Abraham)
The central figure in this passage, Abram is in a covenant dialogue with God. He is later renamed Abraham and is considered the father of faith.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
God is speaking directly to Abram, instructing him on the covenant ritual. This interaction is part of God's unfolding plan for Abram and his descendants.

3. Covenant Ceremony
The event described is a covenant-making process, where specific animals are used in a ritual to formalize God's promises to Abram.
Teaching Points
Understanding Covenant
The covenant is a solemn agreement that involves commitments and promises. In Genesis 15, God formalizes His promises to Abram through a covenant, emphasizing the seriousness and binding nature of His word.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The specific animals mentioned (heifer, goat, ram, turtledove, pigeon) were common in ancient Near Eastern covenant rituals. Each animal represents a part of the sacrificial system that points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Faith and Obedience
Abram's willingness to follow God's instructions without question demonstrates his faith. This obedience is a model for believers, showing that faith often requires action.

God's Faithfulness
The covenant ceremony underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His word, just as He did with Abram.

Preparation for Greater Revelation
This covenant is a precursor to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. Understanding the Old Testament covenants helps believers appreciate the depth of God's redemptive plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the specific choice of animals in Genesis 15:9 reveal about the nature of the covenant God is making with Abram?

2. How does Abram's response to God's instructions in Genesis 15 demonstrate his faith, and how can we apply this to our own lives?

3. In what ways does the covenant ceremony in Genesis 15 foreshadow the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ?

4. How does understanding the cultural and historical context of covenant rituals enhance our interpretation of Genesis 15:9?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to trust God's promises despite not seeing immediate results. How does Abram's example encourage you in your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12
This chapter introduces God's initial call and promises to Abram, setting the stage for the covenant in Genesis 15.

Hebrews 11
This chapter highlights Abram's faith, which is foundational to understanding his obedience in Genesis 15.

Jeremiah 34
This passage describes a similar covenant ritual, providing context for the significance of the animal sacrifices.
Jehovah's Covenant with AbramC. Jordan, M. A.Genesis 15:7-21
The Confirmation of FaithT. H. Leale.Genesis 15:7-21
The Cross of Christ: its Blessings and its TrialsF. Whitefield, M. A.Genesis 15:7-21
The First Stage of the CovenantThe Congregational PulpitGenesis 15:7-21
Watching with GodT. H. Leale.Genesis 15:7-21
FaithR.A. Redford Genesis 15
People
Abram, Amorites, Canaanites, Eliezer, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hittites, Jebusites, Kadmonites, Kenites, Kenizzites, Perizzites, Rephaites
Places
Damascus, Egypt, Euphrates River, Ur, Valley of Shaveh
Topics
Along, Bird, Bring, Cow, Dove, Female, Goat, Heifer, Pigeon, Ram, Sheep, She-goat, Turtledove, Turtle-dove
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 15:9

     4636   dove
     4651   goat
     4678   pigeon

Genesis 15:1-21

     5076   Abraham, life of

Genesis 15:7-21

     7258   promised land, early history

Genesis 15:9-10

     4681   ram

Genesis 15:9-18

     1346   covenants, nature of

Genesis 15:9-21

     1348   covenant, with Abraham
     1443   revelation, OT
     5467   promises, divine

Library
God's Covenant with Abram
'And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. And He said unto him, I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it. And he said, Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it? And He said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
Referring to the chapter before us for a preface to our subject, note that after Abram's calling his faith proved to be of the most practical kind. Being called to separate himself from his kindred and from his country, he did not therefore become a recluse, a man of ascetic habits, or a sentimentalist, unfit for the battles of ordinary life--no; but in the noblest style of true manliness he showed himself able to endure the household trouble and the public trial which awaited him. Lot's herdsmen
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 14: 1868

Our Status.
"And he believed in the Lord: and he counted it to him for righteousness." --Gen. xv. 6. The right touches a man's status. So long as the law has not proven him guilty, has not convicted and sentenced him, his legal status is that of a free and law-abiding citizen. But as soon as his guilt is proven in court and the jury has convicted him, he passes from that into the status of the bound and law-breaking citizen. The same applies to our relation to God. Our status before God is that either of the
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Kate Lee's Secret
Of Kate Lee General Bramwell Booth writes, 'She was one of those conquering souls who seldom look like a conqueror. She presented an extraordinary contrast. She was weak, and yet she was strong. She was poor, and yet she was one of the richest. She was intensely human, with many of the most marked limitations which belong to the human, and yet she was in an extraordinary degree spiritual, yes, even divine.' These contrasts were clear to all and puzzling to many. Not a few people both in and outside
Minnie L. Carpenter—The Angel Adjutant of "Twice Born Men"

God's People in the Furnace
And the first observation I shall make will be this: all persons in the furnace of affliction are not chosen. The text says, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction," and it implies that there may be, and there doubtless are, some in the furnace who are not chosen. How many persons there are who suppose that because they are tried, afflicted, and tempted, therefore they are the children of God, whereas they are no such thing. It is a great truth that every child of God is afflicted; but
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Evil Thoughts.
19th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. ix. 4. "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?" INTRODUCTION.--Thoughts are only thoughts! who is to beheld accountable for them? They are clouds blown about by fancy, taking various shapes. God is not so hard as to judge us for our thoughts; He will try us by what we have done, not by what we have dreamed. No garden is without weeds; there are tares in every cornfield. Who speak thus? Is it those who are conscientious and scrupulous to drive away evil thoughts?
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent

The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
FOREMOST amongst those who, wondering, had heard what the shepherds told, was she whom most it concerned, who laid it up deepest in her heart, and brought to it treasured stores of memory. It was the Mother of Jesus. These many months, all connected with this Child could never have been far away form her thoughts. And now that He was hers yet not hers - belonged, yet did not seem to belong, to her - He would be the more dear to her Mother-heart for what made Him so near, and yet parted Him so far
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Letter xxxv. From Pope Damasus.
Damasus addresses five questions to Jerome with a request for information concerning them. They are: 1. What is the meaning of the words "Whosoever slayeth Cain vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold"? (Gen. iv. 5.) 2. If God has made all things good, how comes it that He gives charge to Noah concerning unclean animals, and says to Peter, "What God hath cleansed that call not thou common"? (Acts x. 15.) 3. How is Gen. xv. 16, "in the fourth generation they shall come hither again," to be reconciled
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Letter xxxvi. To Pope Damasus.
Jerome's reply to the foregoing. For the second and fourth questions he refers Damasus to the writings of Tertullian, Novatian, and Origen. The remaining three he deals with in detail. Gen. iv. 15, he understands to mean "the slayer of Cain shall complete the sevenfold vengeance which is to be wreaked upon him." Exodus xiii. 18, he proposes to reconcile with Gen. xv. 16, by supposing that in the one place the tribe of Levi is referred to, in the other the tribe of Judah. He suggests, however, that
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
Eighteen and a half centuries ago, and the land which now lies desolate--its bare, grey hills looking into ill-tilled or neglected valleys, its timber cut down, its olive- and vine-clad terraces crumbled into dust, its villages stricken with poverty and squalor, its thoroughfares insecure and deserted, its native population well-nigh gone, and with them its industry, wealth, and strength--presented a scene of beauty, richness, and busy life almost unsurpassed in the then known world. The Rabbis never
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapter i.) "Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified." "The Lord Christ passed my humble cot: I knew him, yet I knew him not; But as I oft had done before, I hurried through my narrow door To touch His garment's hem. "He drew me to a place apart From curious crowd and noisy mart; And as I sat there at His feet I caught the thrill of His heart-beat Beyond His garment's hem. "Rare was the bread He broke
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

He Severely Reproves Abaelard for Scrutinizing Rashly and Impiously, and Extenuating the Power Of, the Secret Things of God.
He severely reproves Abaelard for scrutinizing rashly and impiously, and extenuating the power of, the secret things of God. 17. This is the righteousness of man in the blood of the Redeemer: which this son of perdition, by his scoffs and insinuations, is attempting to render vain; so much so, that he thinks and argues that the whole fact that the Lord of Glory emptied Himself, that He was made lower than the angels, that He was born of a woman, that He lived in the world, that He made trial of our
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Parable of the Importunate Widow.
^C Luke XVIII. 1-8. ^c 1 And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man [an utterly abandoned character]: 3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of [rather, Do justice to me as to] mine adversary. [In Scripture language widowhood is symbolic of defenselessness (Ex. xxii. 22-24; Deut. x. 18; xxvii. 19; Mal. iii. 5; Mark xii. 40),
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Meditations to Stir us up to Morning Prayer.
1. If, when thou art about to pray, Satan shall suggest that thy prayers are too long, and that therefore it were better either to omit prayers, or else to cut them shorter, meditate that prayer is thy spiritual sacrifice, wherewith God is well pleased (Heb. xiii. 15, 16;) and therefore it is so displeasing to the devil, and so irksome to the flesh. Bend therefore thy affections (will they, nill they) to so holy an exercise; assuring thyself, that it doth by so much the more please God, by how much
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
Syria: the part played by it in the ancient world--Babylon and the first Chaldaean empire--The dominion of the Hyksos: Ahmosis. Some countries seem destined from their origin to become the battle-fields of the contending nations which environ them. Into such regions, and to their cost, neighbouring peoples come from century to century to settle their quarrels and bring to an issue the questions of supremacy which disturb their little corner of the world. The nations around are eager for the possession
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Its Evidence
In Romans 3:28 the Apostle Paul declared "that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law," and then produces the case of Abraham to prove his assertion. But the Apostle James, from the case of the same Abraham, draws quite another conclusion, saying, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:24). This is one of the "contradictions in the Bible" to which infidels appeal in support of their unbelief. But the Christian, however difficult he finds
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

Moses and his Writings
[Illustration: (drop cap W) Clay letter tablet of Moses' time.] We now begin to understand a little of the very beginning of God's Book--of the times in which it was written, the materials used by its first author, and the different kinds of writing from which he had to choose; but we must go a step farther. How much did Moses know about the history of his forefathers, Abraham and Jacob, and of all the old nations and kings mentioned in Genesis, before God called him to the great work of writing
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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