Genesis 15:13 - He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years.
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What does "Genesis 15:13" mean?
Genesis 15:13 is a prophecy given to Abram (later Abraham) about the future of his descendants, the Israelites. Let's break it down:
"He said to Abram...": This indicates God is speaking directly to Abram.
"Know for sure...": This emphasizes the certainty of the prophecy. It's not a possibility; it will happen.
"...your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs...": This means Abram's descendants will sojourn or dwell in a foreign land, not their own. This land is Egypt.
"...and will serve them...": In this foreign land, Abram's descendants will be enslaved or serve the people of that land. This refers to the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt.
"They will afflict them four hundred years.": The people of the foreign land (Egyptians) will oppress or mistreat Abram's descendants for a period of four hundred years.
In essence, this verse foretells the following:
1. Sojourn: The Israelites will live in a foreign land (Egypt).
2. Servitude: They will be enslaved or serve the people of that land.
3. Affliction: They will be mistreated and oppressed by the people of that land.
4. Duration: This period of affliction will last for approximately 400 years.
Significance and Context:
This prophecy is important for several reasons:
Fulfillment: It sets the stage for the story of the Exodus, where the Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt. The events in Exodus are seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Promise: While it speaks of hardship, it also implies an eventual end to the suffering. God is telling Abram that even though his descendants will face trials, they will ultimately be delivered.
Theodicy: Some see it as addressing the problem of evil. God is aware of the suffering that will befall his people, but he also has a plan for their redemption.
It is important to note that the exact duration of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt is debated among scholars, and that 400 years is an approximation. Exodus 12:40 states that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years, including the time they lived in Canaan.
Genesis 15:13 - He said to Abram, “Know for sure that your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years.
What does "Genesis 15:13" mean?
Genesis 15:13 is a prophecy given to Abram (later Abraham) about the future of his descendants, the Israelites. Let's break it down:
"He said to Abram...": This indicates God is speaking directly to Abram.
"Know for sure...": This emphasizes the certainty of the prophecy. It's not a possibility; it will happen.
"...your offspring will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs...": This means Abram's descendants will sojourn or dwell in a foreign land, not their own. This land is Egypt.
"...and will serve them...": In this foreign land, Abram's descendants will be enslaved or serve the people of that land. This refers to the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt.
"They will afflict them four hundred years.": The people of the foreign land (Egyptians) will oppress or mistreat Abram's descendants for a period of four hundred years.
In essence, this verse foretells the following:
1. Sojourn: The Israelites will live in a foreign land (Egypt).
2. Servitude: They will be enslaved or serve the people of that land.
3. Affliction: They will be mistreated and oppressed by the people of that land.
4. Duration: This period of affliction will last for approximately 400 years.
Significance and Context:
This prophecy is important for several reasons:
Fulfillment: It sets the stage for the story of the Exodus, where the Israelites are freed from slavery in Egypt. The events in Exodus are seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Promise: While it speaks of hardship, it also implies an eventual end to the suffering. God is telling Abram that even though his descendants will face trials, they will ultimately be delivered.
Theodicy: Some see it as addressing the problem of evil. God is aware of the suffering that will befall his people, but he also has a plan for their redemption.
It is important to note that the exact duration of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt is debated among scholars, and that 400 years is an approximation. Exodus 12:40 states that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 430 years, including the time they lived in Canaan.