And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God calls Abram outside, not just to see the stars, but to attempt the impossible task of numbering them. This highlights that the promise of countless descendants isn't just about quantity, but also about the extraordinary, miraculous nature of God's faithfulness.
And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
God speaks to Abram in a vision, reassuring him not to fear and promising to be his shield and reward. Abram, however, expresses concern about being childless and fears his heir will be a servant from his own household. In response, God takes Abram outside his tent, likely at night, and asks him to count the stars as a powerful illustration of how numerous his offspring will be.
How could Abram see stars in the daytime? This wasn't just a casual look at the sky; it was a divine revelation designed to impress an impossible number upon his heart.
The text tells us God brought him forth and commanded him to look toward heaven. While it was likely daytime (since Genesis 15:12 mentions the sun going down later), the impossibility of seeing stars then highlights that this was no ordinary observation.
A Divine Perspective
Abram was childless, facing old age. How could a God of promises speak of countless descendants? This was a radical shift from his reality to God's potential.
At this point in the narrative, Abram's personal circumstances were the opposite of what God promised. He feared he would have no heir, and that a servant would inherit his estate (Genesis 15:2-3). God's response uses the stars to directly counter Abram's fear of barrenness.
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The Contrast of Promises
Abram's belief in this seemingly impossible promise became the very foundation of his righteousness. What does this teach us about trusting God's word over our circumstances?
The immediate aftermath of this stellar promise is crucial: 'And he believed in the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness' (Genesis 15:6). Abram's faith wasn't based on seeing physical descendants, but on trusting God's word despite his own reality.
The Currency of Faith
~2090 BC
Abram Called from Ur
God calls Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland in Ur of the Chaldeans and travel to an unspecified land. This marks the beginning of God's covenant relationship with Abram and his descendants.
~2080 BC
Abram Settles in Canaan
After migrating and sojourning in various places, Abram and his family settle in Canaan. This sets the stage for the promise of the land to his offspring.
~2080 BC
Abram and Lot Separate
Due to a dispute between their herdsmen, Abram generously allows his nephew Lot to choose his dwelling first. Lot chooses the fertile Jordan valley, while Abram remains in Canaan.
~2080 BC
Abram Rescues Lot
Lot is captured during a conflict involving several kings. Abram gathers his household and allies to pursue the captors, defeat them, and rescue Lot and his possessions.
~2080 BC— this verse
Abram's Vision and Covenant Promise
Following the rescue of Lot and a meeting with Melchizedek, Abram has a vision where God reassures him, calling himself his shield and great reward. God promises Abram an innumerable offspring and the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
~2080 BC
The Covenant Ritual
As part of the vision, God instructs Abram to prepare a sacrifice. A smoking furnace and flaming torch passing between the pieces of the animals symbolize God's commitment to the covenant and future events like the Israelites' enslavement and deliverance.
This passage echoes the promise to Abraham, stating that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars and as the sand on the seashore, reinforcing the immense and uncountable nature of his descendants.
Deuteronomy 1:10This verse recalls God's multiplication of Abraham's descendants to the point where they are as numerous as the stars of heaven, serving as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His promises.
Nehemiah 9:23This passage directly references Abraham's seed being multiplied like the stars of heaven, highlighting God's faithfulness and the vastness of His covenant people.
Romans 4:18Paul uses Abraham's faith in this promise as an example of believing against hope, emphasizing that Abraham's faith was counted as righteousness precisely because he believed in the future multitude of his offspring, like the stars.
Hebrews 11:12This verse connects the uncountable number of Abraham's descendants to the stars of heaven, underscoring the immense legacy of faith that flowed from this promise.
gillGenesis 15:5: "And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be."
And he brought him forth abroad,.... Out of his tent into the open air, which was done through his call, and at his direction; or by an impulse upon his mind; or this might not be real and local, only vision: and said, look now towards heaven; either with his bodily eyes, or with the eyes of his mind: and tell the star…
clarkeGenesis 15:5: "And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be."
Look now toward heaven - It appears that this whole transaction took place in the evening; see on Genesis 13:14 (note). Abram had either two visions, that recorded in Genesis 15:1 , and that in Genesis 15:12 , etc.; or what is mentioned in the beginning of this chapter is a part of the occurrences which took place afte…
God calls Abram outside, not just to see the stars, but to attempt the impossible task of numbering them. This highlights that the promise of countless descendants isn't just about quantity, but also about the extraordinary, miraculous nature of God's faithfulness.
God speaks to Abram in a vision, reassuring him not to fear and promising to be his shield and reward. Abram, however, expresses concern about being childless and fears his heir will be a servant from his own household. In response, God takes Abram outside his tent, likely at night, and asks him to count the stars as a powerful illustration of how numerous his offspring will be.
God speaks to Abram in a vision, reassuring him not to fear and promising to be his shield and reward. Abram, however, expresses concern about being childless and fears his heir will be a servant from his own household. In response, God takes Abram outside his tent, likely at night, and asks him to count the stars as a powerful illustration of how numerous his offspring will be.
"And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”" — God calls Abram outside, not just to see the stars, but to attempt the impossible task of numbering them. This highlights that the promise of countless descendants isn't just about quantity, but also…
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Last reviewed October 2026