וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָ֗ם אֲדֹנָ֤י יֱהוִה֙ מַה־תִּתֶּן־לִ֔י וְאָנֹכִ֖י הוֹלֵ֣ךְ עֲרִירִ֑י וּבֶן־מֶ֣שֶׁק בֵּיתִ֔י ה֖וּא דַּמֶּ֥שֶׂק אֱלִיעֶֽזֶר׃
Abram répondit: "Dieu-Éternel, que me donnerais-tu, alors que je m’en vais sans postérité et que le fils adoptif de ma maison est un Damascénien, Eliézer?"
Who is the Heir of Divine Things
This treatise, the longest of the whole series and containing many fine passages, is a straightforward commentary with comparatively few digressions on Gen. 15:2–18.
Who is the Heir of Divine Things
[22] But observe on the other hand that confidence is blended with caution. For while the words “What wilt thou give me” (Gen. 15:2) shew confidence, “Master,” shews caution. While Moses usually employs two titles in speaking of the Cause, namely God and Lord, here he uses neither, but substitutes “Master.” In this he shews great caution and exactness in the use of terms. It is true that “Lord” and “Master” are said to be synonyms.
Who is the Heir of Divine Things
[34] Or shall I go hence childless (Gen. 15:2), the recipient of a boon shortlived, dying with the day, passing swiftly to its doom; I, who pray for the opposite, a boon of many days and years, proof against decay or death, so that it can lay the seed and extend the roots, which shall make the growth secure, and raise and uplift the stalk heavenwards.