Genesis 15:12 - When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him.
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What does "Genesis 15:12" mean?
Genesis 15:12 is a powerful verse that sets the stage for a significant prophetic encounter between God and Abram (later Abraham). Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"When the sun was going down...": This simple phrase marks the transition from day to night. Symbolically, sunsets often represent endings, periods of vulnerability, or times when the clarity of day gives way to the unknown of night. In Abram's situation, it suggests a shift from a period of relative normalcy to a more intense spiritual experience.
"...a deep sleep fell on Abram.": The "deep sleep" (Hebrew: tardemah) is not just ordinary sleep. It is described in other instances in the Bible when God reveals His purposes and covenants to individuals. It's a state of being removed from conscious awareness, where Abram is made receptive to divine communication. In this state, he is more open to receiving God's message without his own thoughts or concerns interfering.
"Now terror and great darkness fell on him.": This is the core of the verse. The "terror" (Hebrew: eymah) and "great darkness" (Hebrew: chashkah gedolah) are not just physical sensations. They represent:
Fear and Awe: The eymah speaks to a profound sense of dread and reverence in the face of God's presence. Abram is being confronted with the weight of divine power and the gravity of what he is about to hear.
Uncertainty about the Future: The chashkah gedolah signifies a sense of foreboding and a glimpse into the difficult future that awaits Abram's descendants. It foreshadows the suffering they will endure in slavery in a foreign land.
Spiritual Warfare: Darkness is often used in the Bible to symbolize evil, oppression, and spiritual conflict. The darkness here may represent the opposition Abram's descendants will face as they fulfill God's promises.
In essence, the verse describes a profound and unsettling encounter with God. Abram is put into a deep sleep, a state conducive to receiving divine revelation. But the revelation comes with a heavy burden: a vision of future hardship and suffering for his offspring. The terror and darkness are not just random occurrences; they are integral to the message God is about to deliver. It is a stark reminder that the fulfillment of God's promises often involves pain and struggle.
Significance within the larger narrative:
This verse is crucial to understanding the entire chapter of Genesis 15, where God establishes his covenant with Abram. The terror and darkness serve as a preface to the prophetic word that follows, where God foretells the 400 years of slavery in Egypt and the eventual deliverance and inheritance of the Promised Land. It highlights the cost of God's promises and the reality that the path to fulfillment is not always easy.
Genesis 15:12 - When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. Now terror and great darkness fell on him.
What does "Genesis 15:12" mean?
Genesis 15:12 is a powerful verse that sets the stage for a significant prophetic encounter between God and Abram (later Abraham). Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"When the sun was going down...": This simple phrase marks the transition from day to night. Symbolically, sunsets often represent endings, periods of vulnerability, or times when the clarity of day gives way to the unknown of night. In Abram's situation, it suggests a shift from a period of relative normalcy to a more intense spiritual experience.
"...a deep sleep fell on Abram.": The "deep sleep" (Hebrew: tardemah) is not just ordinary sleep. It is described in other instances in the Bible when God reveals His purposes and covenants to individuals. It's a state of being removed from conscious awareness, where Abram is made receptive to divine communication. In this state, he is more open to receiving God's message without his own thoughts or concerns interfering.
"Now terror and great darkness fell on him.": This is the core of the verse. The "terror" (Hebrew: eymah) and "great darkness" (Hebrew: chashkah gedolah) are not just physical sensations. They represent:
Fear and Awe: The eymah speaks to a profound sense of dread and reverence in the face of God's presence. Abram is being confronted with the weight of divine power and the gravity of what he is about to hear.
Uncertainty about the Future: The chashkah gedolah signifies a sense of foreboding and a glimpse into the difficult future that awaits Abram's descendants. It foreshadows the suffering they will endure in slavery in a foreign land.
Spiritual Warfare: Darkness is often used in the Bible to symbolize evil, oppression, and spiritual conflict. The darkness here may represent the opposition Abram's descendants will face as they fulfill God's promises.
In essence, the verse describes a profound and unsettling encounter with God. Abram is put into a deep sleep, a state conducive to receiving divine revelation. But the revelation comes with a heavy burden: a vision of future hardship and suffering for his offspring. The terror and darkness are not just random occurrences; they are integral to the message God is about to deliver. It is a stark reminder that the fulfillment of God's promises often involves pain and struggle.
Significance within the larger narrative:
This verse is crucial to understanding the entire chapter of Genesis 15, where God establishes his covenant with Abram. The terror and darkness serve as a preface to the prophetic word that follows, where God foretells the 400 years of slavery in Egypt and the eventual deliverance and inheritance of the Promised Land. It highlights the cost of God's promises and the reality that the path to fulfillment is not always easy.