Genesis 17:6
What does Genesis 17:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 17:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 17:6 means
God further detailed the blessings accompanying Abraham's new identity, promising to make him "exceeding fruitful." This fruitfulness would result in the formation of "nations" and the emergence of "kings" from his lineage. This promise goes beyond mere numerical increase; it speaks of a future of established peoples and royal lines originating from Abraham. This prophetic statement foreshadows not only the nation of Israel and its kings but also, ultimately, the kingship of Jesus Christ, who descended from Abraham and reigns over a spiritual kingdom comprising people from every nation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I will make you very fertile, so that nations will come from you and kings will be your offspring.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I have made thee exceeding fruitful, and made thee become nations, and kings go out from thee.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I will make thee increase exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I will make thee exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
Context
This verse amplifies the promises made in verses 4 and 5 regarding Abraham's future. Having just received his new name, "father of a multitude," this verse explains *how* that will manifest: through immense fruitfulness, leading to nations and kings. It solidifies the divine guarantee, moving from a general promise to more specific outcomes. This sets up the following verse, which explicitly defines the everlasting nature and scope of the covenant with Abraham's descendants.
v.5Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.
v.6This passage
v.7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- 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 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
- Matthew 1:6
and Jesse begat David the king. And David begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah;
- Ezra 4:20
There have been mighty kings also over Jerusalem, who have ruled over all the country beyond the River; and tribute, custom, and toll, was paid unto them.
- Genesis 17:4
As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.
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