And when the fowls... — Heb., And the birds of prey came down upon the carcases, and Abram scared them away. Had there been a sacrifice the fire would have kept the vultures from approaching; but the bodies lay exposed, and Abram therefore kept guard over them, lest the purpose of the ceremonial should be frustrated by any want of respect shown to the outward symbols.
Related Commentaries of Genesis 15:11
Genesis 15:11
11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.