What prophecy did God give Abraham in Genesis 15:13?
God told Abraham that his descendants would be strangers in a land not their own, would serve its people, and would be afflicted for four hundred years. The prophecy pointed to Egypt and bondage, though the four hundred years referred to the sojourning, not solely the affliction.
Les explains that Genesis 15 comes shortly after God gave Abraham the covenant promising that a nation would come from him, be placed in a land, and have a government with God as King. God descended to man’s level and carried out the ancient rite of real estate transfer, deeding the Middle East to Abraham. During that transfer, verse 13 begins the prophecy: God told Abraham to know of a surety that his seed would be strangers in a land not theirs, would serve them, and would be afflicted four hundred years. Les identifies that land as Egypt. He also notes that the four hundred years is the sojourning, not necessarily only the affliction, though the verse certainly sounds that way.
And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;
More Questions
When was Genesis 15:13 spoken to Abram?
Genesis 15:13 was spoken to Abram before his name was changed to Abraham.