Devine Scripture

Genesis 13:15

What does Genesis 13:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 13:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 13:15 means

God solemnly declared to Abram that all the land he could survey with his eyes, in every direction, would be given to him and to his descendants forever. This was a direct, expansive reaffirmation of the land promise, now explicitly stating its perpetual nature. This promise would find its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who inherits all things and through whom believers also inherit the earth. The covenant was unconditional, reiterated directly by God to Abram, ensuring his possession and that of his innumerable future offspring.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For all the land which you see I will give to you and to your seed for ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for the whole of the land which thou are seeing, to thee I give it, and to thy seed--to the age.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

All the land which thou seest, I will give to thee, and to thy seed for ever.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

for all the land that thou seest will I give to thee, and to thy seed for ever.

Context

This verse is a direct continuation of God's address to Abram in verse 14, immediately following the instruction to look out over the land. It provides the crucial content of God's renewed covenant promise concerning the land, expanding on its scope and duration. This promise undergirds the entire narrative of Israel and points forward to Christ, demonstrating God's faithfulness after Abram's act of generosity with Lot.

v.14And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward:

v.15This passage

v.16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then may thy seed also be numbered.

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 34:4

    And Jehovah said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

  • Genesis 48:4

    and said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a company of peoples, and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

  • Numbers 34:2

    Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan according to the borders thereof),

  • 2 Chronicles 20:7

    Didst not thou, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and give it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

  • Genesis 12:7

    And Jehovah appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto Jehovah, who appeared unto him.

  • Genesis 28:4

    and give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land of thy sojournings, which God gave unto Abraham.

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