Devine Scripture

Genesis 17:7

What does Genesis 17:7 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 17:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 17:7 means

God solemnly declared that this covenant would be an "everlasting covenant," extending not only to Abraham but also to his "seed after thee throughout their generations." This emphasizes the perpetual and enduring nature of God's commitment. The core of this everlasting promise is God's pledge "to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee." This signifies a deep, personal relationship with His chosen people across all time, promising His presence, protection, and provision, culminating in His redemptive work through Christ for all who believe, both Jew and Gentile.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I will make between me and you and your seed after you through all generations, an eternal agreement to be a God to you and to your seed after you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`And I have established My covenant between Me and thee, and thy seed after thee, to their generations, for a covenant age-during, to become God to thee, and to thy seed after thee;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be aGod to thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Context

Building on the promise of nations and kings from Abraham's line (v. 6), this verse clarifies the *duration* and *scope* of the covenant. It introduces the concept of an "everlasting covenant" explicitly tied to Abraham's descendants. This establishes the intergenerational nature of God's promise, moving beyond Abraham himself to his "seed." This emphasis on perpetuity logically precedes the specific bestowal of the land in the next verse, providing the broader context for the physical inheritance.

v.6And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

v.7This passage

v.8And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 26:24

    And Jehovah appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

  • Romans 9:4

    who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;

  • Psalms 81:10

    I am Jehovah thy God, Who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt: Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

  • Exodus 6:4

    And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their sojournings, wherein they sojourned.

  • Mark 10:14

    But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me; forbid them not: for to such belongeth the kingdom of God.

  • Exodus 3:6

    Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.

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