Bible Commentaries
Genesis 15

Verse 2

1 "Lord" (Heb. Adon, Adonai)

(1) The primary meaning of Adon, Adonai, is Master, and it is applied in the Old Testament Scriptures both to Deity and to man. The latter instances are distinguished in the English version by the omission of the capital. As applied to man, the word is used of two relationships; master and husband Genesis 24:9; Genesis 24:10; Genesis 24:12 "master" may illustrate the former; Genesis 18:12 "lord," the latter). Both these relationships exist between Christ and the believer John 13:13 "master"; 2 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Corinthians 11:3 "husband").

(2) Two principles inhere in the relation of master and servant:

(a) the Master's right to implicit obedience John 13:13; Matthew 23:10; Luke 6:46

(b) the servant's right to direction in service Isaiah 6:8-11

Clear distinction in the use of the divine names is illustrated in Exodus 4:10-12. Moses feels his weakness and incompetency, and "Moses said unto the Lord Jehovah, O my Lord Adonai, I am not eloquent," etc. Since service is in question, Moses appropriately addresses Jehovah as Lord. But now power is in question, and it not the Lord (Adonai) but Jehovah (Lord) who answers (referring to creation power)--"and Jehovah said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? . . Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth." The same distinction in Joshua 7:8-11. See, for other names of Deity:

(See Scofield "Joshua 7:8-6.7.11- :") See Scofield "Joshua 7:8-6.7.11- :" Genesis 2:7 See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :"

2 "Lord God" (Heb. Adonai Jehovah). When used distinctively, this compound name, while gathering into one the special meanings of each

(See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :") See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :"

will be found to emphasize the Adonai rather than the Jehovah character of Deity. (The following passages may suffice to illustrate this:) Genesis 15:2; Genesis 15:8; Deuteronomy 3:24; Deuteronomy 9:26; Joshua 7:7; Judges 6:22; Judges 16:28; 2 Samuel 7:18-20; 2 Samuel 7:18-20; 2 Samuel 7:28; 2 Samuel 7:29; 1 Kings 2:26; Psalms 69:6; Psalms 71:5; Isaiah 7:7

See, for other names of Deity:

(See Scofield "Isaiah 7:7- :") See Scofield "Isaiah 7:7- :"

Genesis 2:7

(See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :") See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :" See Scofield "Genesis 2:7- :"

Verse 18

covenant

The Abrahamic Covenant as formed Genesis 12:1-4 and confirmed ; Genesis 13:14-17; Genesis 15:1-7 Genesis 15:1-8 is in seven distinct parts:

(1) "I will make of thee a great nation." Fulfilled in a threefold way:

(a) In a natural posterity--"as the dust of the earth Genesis 13:16; John 8:37; John 8:37 viz. the Hebrew people.

(b) In a spiritual posterity--"look now toward heaven . . . so shall thy seed be" John 8:39; Romans 4:16; Romans 4:17; Romans 9:7; Romans 9:8; Galatians 3:6; Galatians 3:7; Galatians 3:29 viz. all men of faith, whether Jew or Gentile.

(c) fulfilled also through Ishmael Genesis 17:18-20

(2) "I will bless thee." Fulfilled in two ways:

(a) temporally Genesis 13:14; Genesis 13:15; Genesis 13:17; Genesis 15:18; Genesis 24:34; Genesis 24:35 (b) spiritually ; Genesis 15:6; John 8:56

(3) "And make thy name great." Abraham's is one of the universal names.

(4) "And thou shalt be a blessing" Galatians 3:13; Galatians 3:14

(5) "I will bless them that bless thee." In fulfilment closely related to the next clause.

(6) "And curse him that curseth thee." Wonderfully fulfilled in the history of the dispersion. It has invariably fared ill with the people who have persecuted the Jew--well with those who have protected him. The future will still more remarkably prove this principle Deuteronomy 30:7; Isaiah 14:1; Isaiah 14:1; Joel 3:1-8; Micah 5:7-9; Haggai 2:22; Zechariah 14:1-3; Matthew 25:40; Matthew 25:45.

(7) "In thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." This is the great evangelic promise fulfilled in Abraham's Seed, Christ Galatians 3:16; John 8:56-58.

It brings into greater definiteness the promise of the Adamic Covenant concerning the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:15

NOTE.--The gift of the land is modified by prophecies of three dispossessions and restorations Genesis 15:13; Genesis 15:14; Genesis 15:16; Jeremiah 25:11; Jeremiah 25:12; Deuteronomy 28:62-65; Deuteronomy 30:1-3. Two dispossessions and restorations have been accomplished. Israel is now in the third dispersion, from which she will be restored at the return of the Lord as King under the Davidic Covenant ; Deuteronomy 30:3; Jeremiah 23:5-8; Ezekiel 37:21-25; Luke 1:30-33; Acts 15:14-17

See, for the other seven covenants:

EDENIC (See Scofield "Acts 15:14-44.15.17- :") ADAMIC See Scofield "Genesis 3:14" NOAHIC See Scofield "Acts 15:14-44.15.17- :" MOSAIC See Scofield "Acts 15:14-44.15.17- :" PALESTINIAN See Scofield "Acts 15:14-44.15.17- :" DAVIDIC See Scofield "Acts 15:14-44.15.17- :" NEW See Scofield "Acts 15:14-44.15.17- :"