Devine Scripture

Genesis 13:16

What does Genesis 13:16 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 13:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 13:16 means

God further promised Abram that his descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth, so vast that counting them would be an impossible task for any human. This hyperbolic analogy emphasizes the immense, unquantifiable nature of his future progeny. This promise, alongside the land promise, underscores God's commitment to building a great nation through Abram, a promise that would eventually encompass spiritual descendants through faith in Christ as well, fulfilling the vision of a multitude no one can number.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I will make your children like the dust of the earth, so that if the dust of the earth may be numbered, then will your children be numbered.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I have set thy seed as dust of the earth, so that, if one is able to number the dust of the earth, even thy seed is numbered;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: if any man be able to number the dust of the earth, he shall be able to number thy seed also.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, so that if any one can number the dust of the earth, thy seed also will be numbered.

Context

This verse directly follows the land promise in verse 15, now specifying the incredible number of Abram's descendants. It expands on the covenant, establishing the two main components of God's promise to Abram: land and progeny. This promise of innumerable offspring further distinguishes Abram's blessed status and sets the stage for the growth of the nation of Israel, as well as the spiritual seed through Christ.

v.15for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

v.16This passage

v.17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 48:18

    Oh that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:

  • Genesis 17:16

    And I will bless her, and moreover I will give thee a son of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be of her.

  • 1 Kings 4:20

    Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.

  • Revelation 7:9

    After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and ofalltribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;

  • Genesis 35:11

    And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

  • Genesis 32:12

    And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

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