When he heard that, he offered a sacrifice to God, as he commanded him.

The manner of the sacrifice was this:--He took an heifer of three years old, and a she-goat of three years old, and a ram in like manner of three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a pigeon [19] and as he was enjoined, he divided the three former, but the birds he did not divide.

After which, before he built his altar, where the birds of prey flew about, as desirous of blood, a Divine voice came to him, declaring that their neighbors would be grievous to his posterity, when they should be in Egypt, for four hundred years; [20] during which time they should be afflicted, but afterwards should overcome their enemies, should conquer the Canaanites in war, and possess themselves of their land, and of their cities.
4.

Now Abram dwelt near the oak called Ogyges,--the place belongs to Canaan, not far from the city of Hebron.

But being uneasy at his wife's barrenness, he entreated God to grant that he might have male issue; and God required of him to be of good courage, and said that he would add to all the rest of the benefits that he had bestowed upon him, ever since he led him out of Mesopotamia, the gift of children.