Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 15:4. It’s a really important and fascinating passage about God’s plan for the future of humanity. Here’s what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about God promising to establish a special relationship between Him and humanity, and that this relationship will be established through a specific person – Jesus Christ. It's saying He has a plan for the future where He will work with us, rather than just being in charge of everything. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And, behold…” : This is an Old Testament phrase meaning "and it is now" or “it is happening.” It's a dramatic way to introduce something significant. “…the word of the LORD came unto him…” : This refers to God speaking to Abraham, who was a very important figure in Jewish tradition. “saying, This shall not be thine heir…” : God is saying that He will not give this role or inheritance to any other person – including Abraham’s descendants. “…but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.” This is the really key part! It means “a son or descendant of your lineage will be your heir." What does it mean in a broader sense? It's a prophecy about Jesus Christ. The "coming forth" refers to Jesus’ arrival and his role as God's representative on Earth. The phrase “out of thine own bowels” is a poetic way of saying that Jesus is coming from within, from the very heart of humanity. Why is this important? This verse is considered one of the most significant in the Bible because it lays the foundation for the entire story of salvation and redemption in Christianity. It’s about God choosing to work with us, not just dominate us. It speaks to the idea that through Jesus Christ, we inherit a special relationship with God and eternal life. In short: God promises to establish a special relationship with humanity through a descendant of Abraham's line – Jesus Christ, and that relationship will be a partnership where He works alongside us. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific story or concept in the Bible?