Gen 15:4 | NET2full | STEP | But look , the Lord ’s message came to him: “ This man will not be your heir , but instead a son who comes from your own body will be your heir .”

Genesis 15:4

4 But look, ^{▼▼tn The disjunctive draws attention to God’s response and the particle הִנֵּה (hinneh, translated “look”) mirrors Abram’s statement in v. 3 and highlights the fact that God responded to Abram.} the Lord’s message came to him: “This man ^{▼▼tn The subject of the verb is the demonstrative pronoun, which can be translated “this one” or “this man.” That the Lord does not mention him by name is significant; often in ancient times the use of the name would bring legitimacy to inheritance and adoption cases.} will not be your heir, but instead ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew כִּי־אִם (ki ʾim) forms a very strong adversative.} a son ^{▼▼tn Heb “he who.”} who comes from your own body will be your heir.”