1 2 sn Abram has just rejected all the spoils of war, and the 3 4 5 6 sn For the custom of designating a member of the household as heir, see C. H. Gordon, “Biblical Customs and the Nuzu Tablets,” Biblical Archaeologist Reader, 2:21-33. 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 sn This episode is basic to the NT teaching of Paul on justification (Romans 4). Paul weaves this passage and Psalm 32 together, for both use this word. Paul explains that for the one who believes in the 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 sn For discussion of this ritual see G. F. Hasel, “The Meaning of the Animal Rite in Genesis 15,” JSOT 19 (1981): 61-78. 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 sn The sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its limit. The justice of God is apparent. He will wait until the Amorites are fully deserving of judgment before he annihilates them and gives the land to Israel. 48 49 50 51 sn To your descendants I give this land. The 52 53 54