Genesis 15:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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;”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God predicts that Abram's descendants will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
The Context of Genesis 15:13
God reveals to the sleeping Abram that his descendants will experience lengthy bondage.
What Does Genesis 15:13 Mean?
In the vision, God speaks directly to Abram's inner understanding. The message is sobering: Abram's descendants will not immediately possess the promised land. Instead, they will be foreigners in a land not their own, serving those who hold power. Affliction will be their experience. The number four hundred years sets a specific, extended timeline—long enough that many generations will know only slavery.
This is hard truth, yet God is warning Abram in advance. The prediction shows that God sees the future and is not surprised by it. The covenant He is making includes this dark chapter. Abram is not being promised ease but ultimate vindication. The message frames suffering as temporary within God's longer plan, though the suffering itself will be real and prolonged.
Genesis 15:13 in the Original Language
ger (גֵּר), 'stranger' or 'sojourner' — one without native rights, vulnerable and dependent, the condition his descendants will face.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 15:13
What does Genesis 15:13 mean?
God predicts that Abram's descendants will be enslaved and oppressed for four hundred years.
What is the context of Genesis 15:13?
God reveals to the sleeping Abram that his descendants will experience lengthy bondage.