Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Abraham » Canaan given to
The LORD told Abram, "You are to leave your land, your relatives, and your father's house and go to the land that I'm going to show you.
Verse Concepts
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "I'll give this land to your descendants." So Abram built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Verse Concepts
The LORD spoke to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land as an inheritance." But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?" The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." read more.
So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces. That very day the LORD made this covenant with Abram: "I'm giving this land to your descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River including the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."
So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces. That very day the LORD made this covenant with Abram: "I'm giving this land to your descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River including the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites."
"Son of Man, those who are living among these ruins of the land of Israel keep saying, "Abraham was only one man, but he was able to possess the land! As for us, we're a multitude, and the land has been given to us as an inheritance.'
Verse Concepts
Afflictions » God determines the continuance of
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions.
Covenant » Of men with men » Ratified » By offering a sacrifice
The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. read more.
As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
I'll give over the men who transgressed my covenant, who haven't fulfilled the terms of the covenant that they made before me when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts the officials of Judah, the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf.
The Covenant » Made with » Abraham
You are the descendants of the prophets and the heirs of the covenant that God made with your ancestors when he told Abraham, "Through your descendant all the families of the earth will be blessed.'
Verse Concepts
The LORD spoke to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land as an inheritance." But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?" The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." read more.
So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces. That very day the LORD made this covenant with Abram: "I'm giving this land to your descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River
So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces. That very day the LORD made this covenant with Abram: "I'm giving this land to your descendants, from the river of Egypt to the great Euphrates River
I'll establish my covenant between me and you, and I'll greatly increase your numbers." Then Abram fell to the ground as God continued speaking to him. "Look, I've made a covenant with you. You will be the father of many nations. read more.
Your name is no longer to be Abram. Instead your name will be Abraham, since I'll make you the father of many nations. I'm going to cause you to have many descendants, and I'll bring nations from you. Kings will come from you. I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, and with your descendants who come after you, generation after generation, as an eternal covenant, to be your God and your descendants' God after you. I'll give to you and to your descendants the land to which you have traveled all the land of Canaan as an eternal possession. I will be their God." God continued to speak to Abraham, "You and your descendants who are born in the future are to keep my covenant that is, you and your descendants, generation after generation. Here is my covenant that you are to observe, between me and you and your descendants: Every male among you is to be circumcised. You are all to be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this is to be the sign of the covenant between me and you. Generation after generation, every male among you is to be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, including the servant born in your house or the one purchased from a foreigner, who is not of your offspring. The servant born in your house or the one purchased with money is to be circumcised. My covenant is to remain in your flesh as an eternal covenant. Any uncircumcised male who does not have the foreskin of his flesh circumcised on the eighth day after his birth is to be eliminated from his people because he has broken my covenant."
Your name is no longer to be Abram. Instead your name will be Abraham, since I'll make you the father of many nations. I'm going to cause you to have many descendants, and I'll bring nations from you. Kings will come from you. I'm establishing my covenant between me and you, and with your descendants who come after you, generation after generation, as an eternal covenant, to be your God and your descendants' God after you. I'll give to you and to your descendants the land to which you have traveled all the land of Canaan as an eternal possession. I will be their God." God continued to speak to Abraham, "You and your descendants who are born in the future are to keep my covenant that is, you and your descendants, generation after generation. Here is my covenant that you are to observe, between me and you and your descendants: Every male among you is to be circumcised. You are all to be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and this is to be the sign of the covenant between me and you. Generation after generation, every male among you is to be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, including the servant born in your house or the one purchased from a foreigner, who is not of your offspring. The servant born in your house or the one purchased with money is to be circumcised. My covenant is to remain in your flesh as an eternal covenant. Any uncircumcised male who does not have the foreskin of his flesh circumcised on the eighth day after his birth is to be eliminated from his people because he has broken my covenant."
He has shown mercy to our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham. He granted us deliverance from our enemies' grip so that we could serve him without fear read more.
and be holy and righteous before him all of our days.
and be holy and righteous before him all of our days.
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. It doesn't say "descendants," referring to many, but "your descendant," referring to one person, who is the Messiah.
Verse Concepts
Covenants » Made by passing between the pieces of the divided sacrifices
The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. read more.
As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
I'll give over the men who transgressed my covenant, who haven't fulfilled the terms of the covenant that they made before me when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts the officials of Judah, the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf.
Egypt » Prophecies against
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions.
"Look, days are coming," declares the LORD, "when I'll punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh: Egypt, Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, all those who live in the desert and shave the corners of their beard; indeed all the other nations that are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel that is uncircumcised of heart."
They will pass through the sea of affliction, and they will strike the waves in that sea. All of the depths of the Nile will evaporate, Assyria's arrogance will be brought down low, and the ruling power of Egypt will disappear.
Verse Concepts
This is what the LORD says: "The wealth of Egypt, and the merchandise of Ethiopia, those Sabeans, men of great heights. They'll come over to you and will be yours; They'll trudge behind you coming over in chains, they'll bow down to you. They'll plead with you, "Surely God is in you; and there is no other God at all.'"
Verse Concepts
at that time the LORD spoke through Amoz's son Isaiah: "Go loosen the sackcloth that's around your waist, and take your sandals off your feet." So that's what he did: he went around naked and barefoot. Then the LORD said, "Just as my servant Isaiah has walked around naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a warning for Egypt and Ethiopia, so the king of Assyria will lead away the Egyptian captives and exiles from Cush, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot with even their buttocks uncovered to the shame of Egypt. read more.
Then they will be dismayed and put to shame because of Cush, their hope, and Egypt, their jewel. At that time, the inhabitants of this coastland will say, "See, this is what has happened to those on whom we counted and relied for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How, then, can we escape?'"
Then they will be dismayed and put to shame because of Cush, their hope, and Egypt, their jewel. At that time, the inhabitants of this coastland will say, "See, this is what has happened to those on whom we counted and relied for help and deliverance from the king of Assyria! How, then, can we escape?'"
Then this message from the LORD came to Jeremiah in Tahpanhes: "Take large stones in your hands, and, in the sight of the men of Judah, bury them in the mortar of the brickwork at the entrance of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes. Then say to them, "This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of Israel, says: "I'm going to send for my servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. I'll take him and set his throne over these stones that I've buried, and he will spread his canopy over them. read more.
He will come and attack the land of Egypt those meant for death will be put to death, those meant for captivity will be taken captive, and those meant for the sword will be put to the sword. He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt. He will burn their idols and take them captive. He will wrap himself with the land of Egypt like a shepherd wraps himself with a garment, and then he will leave from there in peace. He will shatter the pillars of Heliopolis in the land of Egypt and will burn the temples of the gods of Egypt with fire."'"
He will come and attack the land of Egypt those meant for death will be put to death, those meant for captivity will be taken captive, and those meant for the sword will be put to the sword. He will set fire to the temples of the gods of Egypt. He will burn their idols and take them captive. He will wrap himself with the land of Egypt like a shepherd wraps himself with a garment, and then he will leave from there in peace. He will shatter the pillars of Heliopolis in the land of Egypt and will burn the temples of the gods of Egypt with fire."'"
This is what the LORD says: "Look, I'm going to give Pharaoh Hophra, king of Egypt, into the hands of his enemies and into the hands of those seeking his life, just as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, his enemy who was seeking his life."
They offer me meat from the sacrifices of my offerings, and they eat from it, but the LORD does not accept them. He will now remember their transgression and pay them back for their sins; to Egypt they will return.
Verse Concepts
Hurry and come, all you gentiles! Gather yourselves together!'" "LORD, cause your mighty army to come down.
Verse Concepts
Egypt » History of israel in » Their sojourn in it, foretold
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years.
Verse Concepts
Israel » Prophecies » Concerning
"Two nations are in your womb," the LORD responded, "and two separate people will emerge. One people will be the stronger, and the older one will serve the younger."
Verse Concepts
By your sword you'll live; but you'll serve your brother. But when you've become restless, you'll break off his yoke from your neck."
Verse Concepts
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years.
Verse Concepts
Then the LORD took him outside. "Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can!" he said. "Your descendants will be that numerous."
Verse Concepts
May the LORD grant you dew from the skies, and from the fertile land; may he grant you abundant grain and fresh wine. May people serve and bow before you; may you be master over your brothers; may your mother's sons bow before you; may anyone who curses you be cursed; and may anyone who blesses you be blessed."
I'll cause you to have as many descendants as the stars of the heavens, and I'll certainly give all these lands to your descendants. Later on, through your descendants all the nations of the earth will bless one another.
Verse Concepts
But his father refused. "I know," he said. "I know. He's going to produce a large nation, and he's going to be very great. However, his younger brother will become even greater than he, and his descendants will become a multitude of nations."
Verse Concepts
Israel » Living » Egypt » 430 years
"This is what God promised: His descendants would be strangers in a foreign country, and its people would enslave them and oppress them for 400 years.
Verse Concepts
This is what I mean: The Law that came 430 years later did not cancel the covenant that God ratified previously. The promise was never nullified.
Verse Concepts
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years.
Verse Concepts
Now the time that the Israelis lived in Egypt was 430 years. At the end of 430 years, to the very day, all the tribal divisions of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt.
Israel » Prophecy » Captivity » In egypt
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions.
"This is what God promised: His descendants would be strangers in a foreign country, and its people would enslave them and oppress them for 400 years. "But I will punish the nation they serve,' said God, "and afterwards they will leave and worship me in this place.'
Sacrifices » The covenants of God confirmed by
The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. read more.
As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
He sent young Israeli men to offer up burnt offerings and sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. Moses took half the blood and put it in bowls, while he sprinkled the other half on the altar. He took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They said, "We will put into practice and obey everything that the LORD has decreed." read more.
Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD made with you based on all these words."
Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD made with you based on all these words."
For after every commandment in the Law had been spoken to all the people by Moses, he took the blood of calves and goats, together with some water, scarlet wool, and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that God ordained for you."
Sign » Asked for by, and given to » Abraham
But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?" The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. read more.
When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
Time » Computed by » Years
One time there was a famine during David's reign that went on for three straight years. David sought the LORD, who said, "Saul and his household are guilty because he executed the Gibeonites."
Verse Concepts
in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, noted in the Scripture the total years that were assigned by the message from the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem: 70 years.
Verse Concepts
Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years.
Verse Concepts
Vision » Of abraham » Concerning his descendants
Some time later, a message came from the LORD to Abram in a vision. "Stop being afraid, Abram," he said. "I myself your shield am your very great reward." But Abram replied, "Lord GOD, what can you give me since I continue to be childless, and the heir of my household is Eliezer from Damascus? Look!" Abram said, "You haven't given me any offspring, so a servant born in my house is going to be my heir." read more.
A message came from the LORD to him again: "This one will not be your heir. Instead, the child who will be born to you will be your heir." Then the LORD took him outside. "Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can!" he said. "Your descendants will be that numerous." Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. The LORD spoke to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land as an inheritance." But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?" The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.
A message came from the LORD to him again: "This one will not be your heir. Instead, the child who will be born to you will be your heir." Then the LORD took him outside. "Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can!" he said. "Your descendants will be that numerous." Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness. The LORD spoke to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you from Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land as an inheritance." But he replied, "Lord GOD, how will I know that I will inherit it?" The LORD responded, "Bring me a three-year-old cow, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." So Abram brought him all these animals and cut each of them in half, down the middle, placing the pieces opposite each other, but he did not cut the birds in half. When birds of prey swooped down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun began to set, Abram was overcome with deep sleep, and suddenly a frightening and terrifying darkness descended on him. Then the LORD told Abram, "You can be certain about this: Your descendants will be foreigners in a land that isn't theirs. They will be slaves there and will be oppressed for 400 years. However, I will judge the nation that they serve, and later they will leave there with many possessions. Now as for you, you'll die peacefully, join your ancestors, and be buried at a good old age. Your descendants will return here in the fourth generation, since the iniquity of the Amorites has not yet run its course." When the sun had fully set and it was dark, a smoking fire pot and a fiery torch passed between the animal pieces.