The Meaning of Genesis 15:3 Explained

Genesis 15:3

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

YLT: And Abram saith, 'Lo, to me Thou hast not given seed, and lo, a domestic doth heir me.'

Darby: And Abram said, Lo, to me thou hast given no seed, and behold, a son of my house will be mine heir.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Genesis 15:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 15:1-21 - Abram's Vision Of The Future
Abram had good reason to fear the vengeance of the defeated kings; but the divine voice reassured him. For all of us there is need of a shield, because the world hates us; and for each God will be our compensation for every sacrifice we have made. Refuse to take even the shoe-latchets of Sodom, and God will be your exceeding great reward. The patriarch addressed God as Adonai Jehovah, which occurs only twice more in the Pentateuch. While he was pouring out the bitterness of his soul, the stars came out. Count these, said his Almighty Friend; and he believed. For the first time that mighty word occurs in Scripture, and the Apostle makes much of it. See Romans 4:9; Galatians 3:6. It was as good as done. Henceforth the patriarch reckoned on God's faithfulness. In olden times covenants were ratified by the parties passing between the pieces of the sacrifice. To give strong consolation, the Almighty confirmed His word with an oath. See Hebrews 6:18. But God must wait until the hour for interposition is fully come. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 15

1  God encourages Abram, who asks for an heir
4  God promises him a son, and a multiplying of his seed
6  Abram is justified by faith
7  Canaan is promised again,
9  and confirmed by a sign, and a vision,
18  prophetic of the condition of his posterity till brought out of Egypt

What do the individual words in Genesis 15:3 mean?

and said Abram behold to me not You have given offspring and indeed a son in my household is heir my
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָ֔ם הֵ֣ן לִ֔י לֹ֥א נָתַ֖תָּה זָ֑רַע וְהִנֵּ֥ה בֶן־ בֵּיתִ֖י יוֹרֵ֥שׁ אֹתִֽי

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר  and  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אַבְרָ֔ם  Abram 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָם  
Sense: original name of Abraham.
הֵ֣ן  behold 
Parse: Interjection
Root: הֵן  
Sense: behold, lo, though hypothetical part.
לִ֔י  to  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
נָתַ֖תָּה  You  have  given 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
זָ֑רַע  offspring 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: זֶרַע  
Sense: seed, sowing, offspring.
וְהִנֵּ֥ה  and  indeed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Interjection
Root: הִנֵּה  
Sense: behold, lo, see, if.
בֶן־  a  son 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
בֵּיתִ֖י  in  my  household 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: בַּיִת 
Sense: house.
יוֹרֵ֥שׁ  is  heir 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָרַשׁ  
Sense: to seize, dispossess, take possession off, inherit, disinherit, occupy, impoverish, be an heir.
אֹתִֽי  my 
Parse: Direct object marker, first person common singular
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.