The Meaning of Genesis 15:11 Explained

Genesis 15:11

KJV: And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

YLT: and the ravenous birds come down upon the carcases, and Abram causeth them to turn back.

Darby: And the birds of prey came down on the carcases; and Abram scared them away.

ASV: And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And when the fowls  came down  upon the carcases,  Abram  drove them away. 

What does Genesis 15:11 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 15:11 mean?

And came down the vultures on the carcasses and drove away them Abram
וַיֵּ֥רֶד הָעַ֖יִט עַל־ הַפְּגָרִ֑ים וַיַּשֵּׁ֥ב אֹתָ֖ם אַבְרָֽם

וַיֵּ֥רֶד  And  came  down 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָרַד  
Sense: to go down, descend, decline, march down, sink down.
הָעַ֖יִט  the  vultures 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַיִט  
Sense: bird of prey, a swooper.
הַפְּגָרִ֑ים  the  carcasses 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: פֶּגֶר  
Sense: corpse, carcass, monument, stela.
וַיַּשֵּׁ֥ב  and  drove  away 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשַׁב  
Sense: to blow.
אַבְרָֽם  Abram 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָם  
Sense: original name of Abraham.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 15:11?

Loading Information...