John Calvin on Genesis 14:23-24

23. That I will not take from a thread even to a shoe - latchet . The Hebrews have an elliptical form of making oath, in which the imprecation of punishment is understood. In some places, the full expression of it occurs in the Scriptures, “The Lord do so to me and more also,” (1 Samuel 14:44.) Since however, it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, in order that the obligation of oaths may be the more binding, this abrupt form of speech admonishes men to reflect on what they are doing; for it is just as if they should put a restraint upon themselves, and should stop suddenly in the midst of their discourse. This indeed is most certain, that men never rashly swear, but they provoke the vengeance of God against them, and make Him their adversary.

Lest thou shouldst say . Although these words seem to denote a mind elated, and too much addicted to fame, yet since Abram is on this point commended by the Spirit, we conclude that this was a truly holy magnanimity. But an exception is added namely that he will not allow his own liberality to be injurious to his allies, nor make them subject to his laws. For this also is not the least part of virtue, to act rightly, yet in such a manner, that we do not bind others to our example, as to a rule. Let every one therefore regard what his own vocation demands, and what pertains to his own duty, in order that men may not prejudge one another according to their own will. For it is a moroseness too imperious, to wish that what we ourselves follow as right, and consonant with our duty, should be prescribed as a law to others.

CHAPTER 15.

Genesis 15:1-21

1. After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

1. Post haec fuit verbum Jehovae ad Abram in visione, dicendo, Ne timeas Abram, ego scutum ero tibi, merces tua multa valde.

2. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

2. Et dixit Abram, Dominator Jehova, quid dabis mihi? Et ego incedo orbus, et filius derelictionis domus meae erit iste Dammescenus Elihezer.

3. And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

3. Et dixit Abram, Ecce, mihi non dedisti semen: et ecce, filius domus meae haeres meus est.

4. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

4. Et ecce verbum Jehovae ad eum, dicendo, Non erit haeres tuus iste, sed qui egredietur de visceribus tuis, ipse haeres tuus erit.

5. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

5. Et eduxit eum foras, et dixit, Suspice nunc coelum, et numera stellas, si poteris numerare eas. Et dixit ei, Sic erit semen tuum.

6. And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

6. Et credidit Jehovae, et reputavit illud ei ad justitiam.

7. And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

7. Et dixit ad eum, Ego Jehova qui eduxi to de Ur Chaldeae, ut darem tibi terram istam, ut haeredites eam.

8. And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

8. Et dixit, Dominator Jehova, in quo cognoscam quod haereditabo eam?

9. And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

9. Et dixit ad eum, Tolle mihi vitulam triennem, et capram triennem, et arietem triennem, et turturem, et pullum columbarum.

10. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

10. Et tulit sibi omnia ista, et divisit ea per medium, et posuit quamlibet partem divisionis suae e regione sociae suae; sed aves non divisit.

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

11. Et descenderunt aves super cadavera, et abigebat eas Abram.

12. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

12. Et fuit, sole occumbente sopor cecidit super Abram: et ecce, terror tenebrosus et magnus cadens super eum.

13. 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;

13. Et dixit ad Abram, Cognoscendo cognosce quod peregrinum erit semen tuum in terra non sua: et servient eis, affligentque eos per quadringentos annos.

14. And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

14. Sed etiam gentem cui servierint, ego judicabo, et postea egredientur cum substantia magna.

15. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

15. Et tu ingredieris ad patres tuos in pace, sepelieris in canitie bona.

16. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

16. Et generatione quarta revertentur huc: quia nondum est completa iniquitas Emoraei.

17. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

17. Et fuit, sole occumbente caligo erat, et ecce furnus fumans, et lampas ignis quae transibat inter divisiones ipsas.

18. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

18. In die ipso pepigit, Jehova cum Abram foedus dicendo, Semini tuo dabo terram hanc a flumine Aegypti, usque ad flumen magnum, flumen Euphratem:

19. The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,

19. Cenaeum, et Cenizaeum, et Cadmonaeum,

20. And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,

20. Et Hitthaeum, et Perizaeum, et Rephaim,

21. And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

21. Et Emoraeum, et Chenaanaeum, et Girgasaeum, et Jebusaeum.