Genesis 15:1
Hebrew Bible
1 After these things the Lord’s message came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram! I am your shield and the one who will reward you in great abundance.” 2 But Abram said, “O Sovereign Lord, what will you give me since I continue to be childless, and my heir is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram added, “Since you have not given me a descendant, then look, one born in my house will be my heir!”
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Neofiti Genesis 15:1
Targum
After these words, when the kings had gathered together, and had fallen before Abram; and four kings had been slain, and nine hosts brought back, Abram reasoned in his heart, and said, Woe to me, because I have received the reward of my appointments in this world, and have no portion in the world to come. Or perhaps the brethren and friends of those who have been slain will combine in legions and come against me; or that at that time there was found with me the reward of a little righteousness, so that they fell before me; but the second time reward may not be found with me, and by me the name of the Heavens may be profaned. Thereupon was the word (pithgama) of the Lord with Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not; for if these men should gather together in legions and come against thee, My Memra will be thy shield: and also if these fall before thee in this world, the reward of thy good works shall be kept, and be prepared before Me in the world to come, great exceedingly.
Date: 300-600 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
Source
Notes and References
"... Christ reminded those who came to hear him that those who per form their good deeds to be seen by men have no reward before God (Mat thew 6:1). They have already received their reward while on earth (6:2, 5, 16). Abram, too, feared he would lose his reward in heaven because of favours received while on earth ... (Genesis 15:1, Pseudo-Jonathan differs only slightly from the other texts in the Palestinian Targums) ..."
McNamara, Martin
Targum and Testament Revisited Aramaic Paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible: A Light on the New Testament
(pp. 199-200) William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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