Devine Scripture

Genesis 17:8

What does Genesis 17:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 17:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 17:8 means

As part of the everlasting covenant, God promised to give Abraham and his descendants "all the land of Canaan" as an "everlasting possession." This land, where Abraham was currently a sojourner, was designated as their permanent inheritance. This central promise of land is not merely a geographical space but a place where God's people would live under His sovereign rule and blessing. It anticipates the eventual entry of Israel into the Promised Land, yet ultimately points to the new heavens and new earth where God's people will dwell eternally with Him, fulfilling the deepest longings of this promise.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And to you and to your seed after you, I will give the land in which you are living, all the land of Canaan for an eternal heritage; and I will be their God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I have given to thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, the whole land of Canaan, for a possession age-during, and I have become their God.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I will give to thee, and to thy seed, the land of thy sojournment, all the land of Chanaan, for a perpetual possession, and I will be their God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I give to thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be aGod to them.

Context

Following the declaration of the covenant's everlasting nature with Abraham and his descendants (v. 7), this verse specifies a crucial element of that covenant: the physical inheritance of the land of Canaan. This promise of land is a tangible demonstration of God's faithfulness and a foundational aspect of Israel's identity. It flows naturally from the preceding verses, providing a concrete realization of God's commitment to be their God and establish them as a people in a specific place. This sets up Abraham's reciprocal obligations to the covenant.

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.

v.8This passage

v.9And God said unto Abraham, And as for thee, thou shalt keep my covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 9:15

    And for this cause he is the mediator of a new covenant, that a death having taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, they that have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 103:17

    But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;

  • Genesis 13:15

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

  • 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.

  • 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.

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