Devine Scripture

Genesis 22:17

What does Genesis 22:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 22:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 22:17 means

God assures Abraham of immense blessing, promising to multiply his descendants limitlessly, like the stars of the heavens and the sand on the seashore—an image of vast, uncountable multitude. Furthermore, his "seed" (descendants) will be victorious over their enemies, possessing their gates, which signifies complete conquest and authority. This promise reiterates earlier covenant blessings, now made even more certain due to Abraham's demonstrated devotion, ensuring the continuation and strength of his lineage.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is upon the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

That I will certainly give you my blessing, and your seed will be increased like the stars of heaven and the sand by the seaside; your seed will take the land of those who are against them;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that blessing I bless thee, and multiplying I multiply thy seed as stars of the heavens, and as sand which <FI>is<Fi> on the sea-shore; and thy seed doth possess the gate of his enemies;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the sea shore; thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

I will richly bless thee, and greatly multiply thy seed, as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the sea-shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Context

This verse details the first part of God's reaffirmed covenant blessings, directly following His sworn oath to Abraham. It expands upon the promise of innumerable descendants and their future power, building upon the foundational covenant. This promise sets the stage for the even greater, redemptive blessing that will come through Abraham's seed to all nations, underscoring the far-reaching impact of his obedience.

v.16and said, By myself have I sworn, saith Jehovah, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son,

v.17This passage

v.18and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 26:4

    and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these lands; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

  • Genesis 13:16

    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.

  • 2 Samuel 8:1

    And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took the bridle of the mother city out of the hand of the Philistines.

  • Deuteronomy 21:19

    then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;

  • Genesis 27:28

    And God give thee of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and new wine:

  • Genesis 28:14

    and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

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