Devine Scripture

Genesis 12:3

What does Genesis 12:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 12:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 12:3 means

God extends His covenant promises to encompass a universal scope, specifying how He will interact with those who engage with Abram. He promises to "bless them that bless thee" and to "curse him that curseth thee," establishing a protective divine hand over Abram and his descendants. Most significantly, the verse declares, "and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." This Messianic promise points directly to Jesus Christ, who, as a descendant of Abram, brings salvation and blessing to all nations, revealing the ultimate purpose of Abram's call.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

To them who are good to you will I give blessing, and on him who does you wrong will I put my curse: and you will become a name of blessing to all the families of the earth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I bless those blessing thee, and him who is disesteeming thee I curse, and blessed in thee have been all families of the ground.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and IN THEE shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Context

This verse completes the seven-fold promise initiated in verse 2, moving from personal and national blessing to a global redemptive purpose. It logically extends the protective aspect of the covenant, assuring Abram of divine vindication, while also expanding the scope to include all humanity. This climactic promise of universal blessing functions as the theological anchor for the entire Abramic covenant, providing the ultimate reason for God's call and Abram's subsequent journey of faith.

v.2and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a blessing:

v.3This passage

v.4So Abram went, as Jehovah had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 30:27

    And Laban said unto him, If now I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have divined that Jehovah hath blessed me for thy sake.

  • Genesis 30:30

    For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it hath increased unto a multitude; and Jehovah hath blessed thee whithersoever I turned: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?

  • Genesis 18:18

    seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

  • Galatians 3:8

    And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed.

  • Ephesians 1:3

    Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:

  • Galatians 3:28

    There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.

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