Genesis 15:6

Hebrew Key Terms:

• H0539 אָמַן (aman) - believed, trusted, had faith
• H2803 חָשַׁב (chashab) - counted, reckoned, imputed
• H6666 צְדָקָה (tsedaqah) - righteousness

Context: After promising Abram innumerable descendants like the stars, the LORD declares His heir will come from Abram's own body. Abram's response of faith becomes the paradigmatic statement of justification by faith alone, cited three times in the NT (Rom 4:3; Gal 3:6; Jas 2:23).

OT-to-OT Development:

• This verse establishes the foundational principle that righteousness comes through faith, not works
• Later OT texts presuppose this principle (Hab 2:4: "the righteous shall live by his faith")
• The Abrahamic covenant of promise (Gen 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:1-27) precedes Sinai by 430 years (Gal 3:17)
• Psalms celebrate those who trust in the LORD (Ps 32:1-2, linked to Gen 15:6 in Rom 4:6-8)

Connections:

• TO:
• Genesis 12:1-3 - Abrahamic promise of blessing to all nations
• FROM OT:
• Habakkuk 2:4 - righteous by faith shall live
• Psalm 32:1-2 - blessedness of forgiveness
• FROM NT:
• Romans 4:3 - , 9, 22 (Paul's doctrine of justification
• Galatians 3:6 - Abraham justified by faith
• James 2:23 - faith proved by works

Christological Connection: Abraham believed God's promise of a seed through whom all nations would be blessed (Gen 12:3; 22:18). Paul identifies this singular "seed" as Christ (Gal 3:16). The righteousness imputed to Abraham by faith foreshadows the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel through faith in Christ (Rom 3:21-26). All who believe in Christ are Abraham's true offspring, heirs of the promise (Gal 3:29).

Connection Method(s): Typology (Providential, Forward-Looking), Promise-Fulfillment — Abraham's faith-righteousness providentially establishes the faith-principle that characterizes the new covenant, while God's promise of a seed through whom all nations would be blessed finds fulfillment in Christ (Galatians 3:16).

Trajectory Table: 164 - Two Covenants (Law and Promise)