Verses 2 and 3 contain promises that the LORD makes to Abram. Each verse contains three statements, and the whole set of promises follows the pattern A-B-A′-B′-C-B′′.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .