Genesis 15:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is stated that He took the animals and divided them into two parts. It is essential to recognize that God's choice of these specific creatures, which were required for the covenant with Abraham, was intentional and significant. He instructed that they should be three years old, symbolizing their maturity and completeness. Abraham then divided the animals, placing one half opposite the other, except for the birds, which he did not divide.

The curious may ponder the significance of these events, examining the nature of the oath and the meaning behind the term ‘dissected,’ the flight of the birds, and their movement toward the offerings. They may also reflect on why Abraham was positioned ‘near them’ and the flame that passed ‘between the dissected.’ All these elements can be understood.

Thus, it is stated that he ‘only did not split the birds,’ indicating that division occurs solely among the fleshly realms, never affecting the spiritual ones. The spiritual beings are either entirely removed from the burdensome interactions of worldly life, resembling the turtledove, or they coexist with humanity, akin to the dove. Nonetheless, both birds are equally pure and innocent. This conveys that within the nation of Israel, destined to receive the promised land, the future heirs of the covenant and inheritors of the kingdom will dwell eternally with them in perfect joy.

The separation of animal genders symbolized the segmentation of Abram's lineage into various tribes, while the undivided nature of the birds represented their harmonious unity.

In this discussion, I will refrain from delving deeply into this holy event. However, I would like to point out that the Hebrew scripture states: "And the birds of prey descended upon the corpses, and Abram drove them away." Through his righteousness, Israel frequently found rescue from disaster.

Consider particularly the account of Abraham: "He divided the animals in two and laid one part against the other, but the birds were not cut up," as stated in Scripture. What does this signify, dear friends? Within the universal Church, those who are driven by worldly desires are often at odds, while those who are led by the Spirit remain united, as Scriptures indicate they are divided against each other. Why is there discord among the fleshly individuals? Because those ensnared by the allure of this world fail to strive against divisions and conflicts within themselves; thus, they are at odds with one another.

He divided them in two. (Jer. 34:18, 19) It is clear that this separation, along with the arrangement of the animals into their respective parts, was carried out at God's command, even though the account in Moses's narrative may not present the full details. The ritual described here was a common practice of covenant or union in ancient times (Jer. 34:18, 19) and was also observed among the Gentiles. This ritual gave rise to expressions such as "cutting a covenant" and “binding vow” (Iliad. V. V. 124). The act of those entering into covenant passing between the two halves of the animals likely symbolized that, just as these divided parts once composed one body and shared one life, the two parties entering into agreement pledge to be guided by one spirit and to form a unified community. In this way, God, using the customary rite characteristic of human agreements in establishing a covenant with Abram, takes into account the Patriarch's lack of reliable worldly allies for his protection and comes extremely close to him.

The separated halves of the sacrificial animals symbolized both parties of the covenant—Abram and his descendants, alongside God. The act of God moving between the divided parts represented His commitment to form an unbreakable bond with Abram and his lineage, much like the unity of the animal before it was dissected. This indicated that He would uphold His promise with the same sanctity as individuals who threaten themselves with dire consequences should they fail to uphold their pledged loyalty. No indication is given that Abram was required to walk between the halved animals as a demonstration of his or his descendants' faithfulness to the covenant. This was not needed because it was solely God's responsibility to affirm the trustworthiness of the promise He established. However, later on, the Lord would call upon Abram and his descendants to demonstrate their allegiance to Him through the establishment of circumcision.