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Research . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Research . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Research . 2025
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Whose Righteous? YHWH's or 'Avram's

A Reexamination of Genesis 15:6 in Light of Hebrew Syntax and Narrative Flow
Authors: Peterson, Michael;

Whose Righteous? YHWH's or 'Avram's

Abstract

Genesis 15:6 has long been interpreted—particularly within Christian theology—as when YHWH declares ‘Avram righteous based on his faith. This reading, heavily influenced by Paul’s appeal to the Septuagint (LXX), has served as a cornerstone for the doctrine of “justification by faith alone.” This study argues that verse 15:6, when translated in light of the Hebrew syntax and literary context, does not support such a reading. A syntactically correct and more contextually faithful rendering is therefore proposed: “But ‘Avram trusted in YHWH, and reckoned His promises—sincere though unfulfilled—as righteousness.” Through a detailed analysis of Hebrew grammar, narrative sequencing, and scene structure—alongside a critical comparison with the LXX—this paper demonstrates that the traditional reading obscures the original Hebrew nuance. Moreover, it is not until the Aqedah (Genesis 22) that ‘Elohim finally and explicitly judges ‘Avraham’s righteousness, but doing so based on covenantal obedience (22:12). This reinterpretation returns us to the voice of the Hebrew narrator, whose theology of justification is expressed not as a forensic imputation, but as faithfulness tested and proven through obedience.

Keywords

Genesis 15:6, Righteousness, Justification, Abraham, Abram, Royal Covenant

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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
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