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Genesis 15:5 - Countless descendants promised Abraham

Genesis 15:5 - בראשית 15:5

Hebrew Text

וַיּוֹצֵא אֹתוֹ הַחוּצָה וַיֹּאמֶר הַבֶּט־נָא הַשָּׁמַיְמָה וּסְפֹר הַכּוֹכָבִים אִם־תּוּכַל לִסְפֹּר אֹתָם וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ כֹּה יִהְיֶה זַרְעֶךָ׃

English Translation

And He brought him outside, and said, Look now toward heaven, and count the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said to him, So shall thy seed be.

Transliteration

Vayotze oto hachutzah vayomer habet-na hashamayma usfor hakochavim im-tuchal lispor otam vayomer lo koh yihye zar'echa

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיּוֹצֵ֨א אֹת֜וֹ הַח֗וּצָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַבֶּט־נָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וּסְפֹר֙ הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים אִם־תּוּכַ֖ל לִסְפֹּ֣ר אֹתָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ כֹּ֥ה יִהְיֶ֖ה זַרְעֶֽךָ׃
וַיּוֹצֵ֨א אֹת֜וֹ הַח֗וּצָה וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַבֶּט־נָ֣א הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה וּסְפֹר֙ הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים אִם־תּוּכַ֖ל לִסְפֹּ֣ר אֹתָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ כֹּ֥ה יִהְיֶ֖ה זַרְעֶֽךָ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Context of the Verse

The verse (Bereshit 15:5) describes Hashem taking Avram (later Avraham) outside and instructing him to gaze at the stars as a promise of his future descendants. This occurs after Avram expresses concern about lacking an heir (Bereshit 15:2-3). The imagery of counting stars symbolizes the vastness and blessing of Avraham's progeny.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Bereshit 15:5) explains that Hashem brought Avram outside of the earthly realm—beyond the limitations of nature—to elevate his perspective. By showing him the stars, Hashem demonstrated that Avram's descendants would be as innumerable as the stars, despite any natural obstacles. Rashi also notes that this promise was given at night, a time when stars are visible, reinforcing the metaphor.

The Rambam's Perspective

The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:42) discusses this verse in the context of prophecy. He explains that Avraham's vision of the stars was not merely a physical sight but a prophetic experience, where Hashem communicated the future greatness of his descendants through a symbolic vision. This aligns with the Torah's frequent use of tangible imagery to convey spiritual truths.

Midrashic Interpretations

  • Bereishit Rabbah (44:12): The Midrash compares Avraham's descendants to stars in their ability to rise above adversity. Just as stars shine even in darkness, the Jewish people endure and thrive despite exile and hardship.
  • Pirkei D'Rabbi Eliezer (28): This Midrash adds that Hashem showed Avram not only the stars but also the planets, emphasizing that his descendants would be as enduring as the celestial bodies, unchanging in their divine mission.

The Deeper Symbolism

The comparison to stars carries multiple layers of meaning in Jewish thought:

  • Innumerable Blessing: Just as stars cannot be counted, Avraham's descendants would be beyond human calculation (Ibn Ezra, Bereshit 15:5).
  • Spiritual Radiance: Stars illuminate the darkness, paralleling the Jewish people's role as a "light unto the nations" (Yeshayahu 42:6).
  • Elevated Status: Stars reside in the heavens, symbolizing the elevated spiritual potential of Avraham's lineage (Kli Yakar, Bereshit 15:5).

Halachic and Philosophical Implications

The Ramban (Bereshit 15:5) connects this promise to the covenant between the pieces (Bereshit 15:7-21), explaining that the stars represent both physical multiplicity and spiritual greatness. The Sforno adds that this vision assured Avraham that his descendants would inherit not only quantity but quality—fulfilling their divine purpose through Torah and mitzvot.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Nedarim 32a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the covenant between God and Abraham, emphasizing the promise of numerous descendants.
📖 Berakhot 7b
The verse is mentioned in the context of discussing God's promises and the nature of divine blessings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Genesis 15:5 mean when G-d tells Avraham to count the stars?
A: In Genesis 15:5, G-d brings Avraham outside and tells him to count the stars as a promise that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Rashi explains that this was to reassure Avraham after he expressed concern about not having children. The stars symbolize the vastness and eternity of the Jewish people.
Q: Why did G-d use stars as a metaphor for Avraham's descendants?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 44:12) teaches that stars are a fitting metaphor because, like stars, the Jewish people will shine brightly in the world and endure forever. Additionally, just as stars are sometimes visible and sometimes hidden, the Jewish people may go through periods of prominence and concealment, but they will always exist.
Q: How does the promise to Avraham in Genesis 15:5 apply to Jews today?
A: This verse reminds us that every Jew is part of an eternal and countless nation, as promised to Avraham. The Rambam (Hilchot Yesodei HaTorah 1:1) emphasizes that this covenant is everlasting, meaning every Jewish soul is connected to this divine promise, giving us strength and purpose in our identity.
Q: What lesson can we learn from G-d showing Avraham the stars?
A: The Talmud (Nedarim 32a) derives from this verse that G-d elevated Avraham above astrological influences, teaching that Jews are not bound by the stars (mazal) but by their relationship with G-d. This teaches us that our destiny is shaped by our faith and actions, not predetermined forces.
Q: Why did G-d bring Avraham 'outside' before showing him the stars?
A: Rashi explains that G-d brought Avraham outside his tent to physically remove him from his confined space and limited perspective. This teaches that to truly appreciate G-d's promises, we must sometimes step beyond our current understanding and see things from a higher, broader view—just as the stars are best seen in an open sky.