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Genesis 22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
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Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/22.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/22.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/22.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/22.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>is</i> upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/22.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which <i>is</i> on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/22.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand, which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/22.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/22.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/22.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/22.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies [by conquering them].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/22.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/22.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/22.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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 seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/22.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"I will bless you and give you such a large family, that someday your descendants will be more numerous than the stars in the sky or the grains of sand along the seashore. They will defeat their enemies and take over the cities where their enemies live. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/22.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/22.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of their enemies' cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/22.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I promise that I will give you as many descendants as there are stars in the sky or grains of sand along the seashore. Your descendants will conquer their enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/22.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I will certainly bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in heaven and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/22.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/22.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be as countless as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the strongholds of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/22.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will indeed bless you, and I will greatly multiply your offspring like the stars of the sky, and like the sand which is on the seashore; and your offspring will possess the gate of their enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/22.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/22.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />that I will bless you greatly, and I will multiply your offspring greatly like the stars of the heavens, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gate of his enemies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/22.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />that blessing I bless you, and multiplying I multiply your seed as stars of the heavens, and as sand which [is] on the seashore; and your Seed possesses the gate of His enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/22.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> that blessing I bless thee, and multiplying I multiply thy seed as stars of the heavens, and as sand which is on the sea-shore; and thy seed doth possess the gate of his enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/22.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />That praising, I will praise thee, and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heavens, and as the sand upon the lip of the sea; and thy seed shall inherit the gate of his enemies.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/22.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I will bless thee, and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is by the seashore: thy seed shall possess the gates of their enemies. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/22.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />I will bless you, and I will multiply your offspring like the stars of heaven, and like the sand which is on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the gates of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/22.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will bless you and make your descendants as countless as the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore; your descendants will take possession of the gates of their enemies,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/22.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/22.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your descendants shall inherit the lands of their enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/22.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />To bless, I shall bless you, and to multiply, I shall multiply your seed as the stars of Heaven and like the sand that is upon the shore of the sea, and your seed shall inherit the lands of his enemies;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/22.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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 seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/22.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand which is by the shore of the sea, and thy seed shall inherit the cities of their enemies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/22-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4967" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/22.htm">The Sacrifice Averted</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>saying, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your only son, <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">I will surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: ḇā·rêḵ (V-Piel-InfAbs) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse.">bless you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1288.htm" title="1288: ’ă·ḇā·reḵ·ḵā (V-Piel-Imperf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To kneel, bless. A primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God, and man; also to curse."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: wə·har·bāh (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">and I will multiply</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: ’ar·beh (V-Hifil-Imperf-1cs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: zar·‘ă·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">your descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/3556.htm" title="3556: kə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê (Prep-k:: N-mpc) -- A star. Probably from the same as Kabbown or kavah; a star; figuratively, a prince.">like the stars</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">in the sky</a> <a href="/hebrew/2344.htm" title="2344: wə·ḵa·ḥō·wl (Conj-w, Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Sand. From chuwl; sand.">and the sand</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄aṯ (N-fsc) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">the seashore.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3220.htm" title="3220: hay·yām (Art:: N-ms) -- A sea or large body of water; specifically, the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2233.htm" title="2233: zar·‘ă·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A sowing, seed, offspring. From zara'; seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity.">Your descendants</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3423.htm" title="3423: wə·yi·raš (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3ms) -- Or yaresh; a primitive root; to occupy; by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin.">will possess</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: ša·‘ar (N-msc) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">the gates</a> <a href="/hebrew/341.htm" title="341: ’ō·yə·ḇāw (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mpc:: 3ms) -- Hating, an adversary. Or owyeb; active participle of 'ayab; hating; an adversary.">of their enemies.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/6-14.htm">Hebrews 6:14</a></span><br />saying, “I will surely bless you and multiply your descendants.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Hebrews 11:12</a></span><br />And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18</a></span><br />Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-16.htm">Galatians 3:16</a></span><br />The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-23</a></span><br />Was not our father Abraham justified by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? / You see that his faith was working with his actions, and his faith was perfected by what he did. / And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called a friend of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-8</a></span><br />Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-25.htm">Acts 3:25</a></span><br />And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-8.htm">Galatians 3:8</a></span><br />The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-17.htm">Romans 8:17</a></span><br />And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-55.htm">Luke 1:55</a></span><br />as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his descendants forever.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/32-13.htm">Exodus 32:13</a></span><br />Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a></span><br />And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Genesis 26:4</a></span><br />I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-14.htm">Genesis 28:14</a></span><br />Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a></span><br />I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;</p><p class="hdg">in blessing.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a></b></br> And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/27-28.htm">Genesis 27:28,29</a></b></br> Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3,14</a></b></br> And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; … </p><p class="hdg">I will multiply.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16</a></b></br> And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, <i>then</i> shall thy seed also be numbered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a></b></br> And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-6.htm">Genesis 17:6</a></b></br> And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.</p><p class="hdg">shore.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/9-26.htm">1 Kings 9:26</a></b></br> And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which <i>is</i> beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.</p><p class="hdg">thy seed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a></b></br> And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou <i>art</i> our sister, be thou <i>the mother</i> of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-17.htm">Numbers 24:17-19</a></b></br> I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/21-19.htm">Deuteronomy 21:19</a></b></br> 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;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/18-18.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/19-29.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/14-20.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/genesis/19-1.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/genesis/21-11.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/genesis/17-2.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/genesis/20-12.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/genesis/16-10.htm">Multiplying</a> <a href="/genesis/16-10.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/genesis/15-8.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-11.htm">Richly</a> <a href="/revelation/20-8.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/genesis/14-3.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/revelation/13-1.htm">Seashore</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Seaside</a> <a href="/genesis/21-13.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Shore</a> <a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Bless</a> <a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Blessing</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Enemies</a> <a href="/genesis/23-10.htm">Gate</a> <a href="/genesis/24-35.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/genesis/24-3.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/genesis/27-33.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/exodus/36-5.htm">Multiplying</a> <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Numerous</a> <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Possess</a> <a href="/genesis/23-4.htm">Possession</a> <a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Richly</a> <a href="/genesis/32-12.htm">Sand</a> <a href="/genesis/32-12.htm">Sea</a> <a href="/genesis/49-13.htm">Seashore</a> <a href="/joshua/11-4.htm">Seaside</a> <a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Seed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-13.htm">Shore</a> <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/genesis/26-4.htm">Stars</a> <a href="/genesis/26-9.htm">Surely</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 22</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Abraham is tested with the command to offer Isaac.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-3.htm">He gives proof of his faith and obedience.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-11.htm">The angel prevents him.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-13.htm">Isaac is exchanged for a ram.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-14.htm">The place is called Jehovah-jireh.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-15.htm">Abraham is again blessed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/22-20.htm">The generations of Nahor unto Rebekah.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div 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href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/22.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will surely bless you</b><br>This phrase is a reaffirmation of God's covenant with Abraham, emphasizing the certainty and divine assurance of the blessing. The promise of blessing is a central theme in the Abrahamic covenant, first introduced in <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2-3</a>. This blessing includes both material prosperity and spiritual favor, extending to Abraham's descendants and ultimately to all nations through them. The certainty of the blessing is underscored by the use of the word "surely," indicating God's unwavering commitment to His promise.<p><b>and I will multiply your descendants</b><br>This promise of multiplication is a continuation of God's covenant with Abraham, first mentioned in <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, where God tells Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. The multiplication of Abraham's descendants is both a literal and spiritual promise, fulfilled through the nation of Israel and the spiritual descendants of Abraham, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>, where believers in Christ are considered Abraham's seed.<p><b>like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore</b><br>The imagery of stars and sand conveys the vastness and innumerability of Abraham's descendants. The stars symbolize a heavenly promise, while the sand represents earthly abundance. This dual imagery highlights the comprehensive nature of God's promise, encompassing both spiritual and physical aspects. The use of such imagery is common in ancient Near Eastern literature to express vast quantities, emphasizing the magnitude of God's promise.<p><b>Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies</b><br>This phrase signifies victory and dominion over adversaries. In ancient times, possessing the gates of a city meant having control over it, as gates were strategic points of defense and commerce. This promise foreshadows the military victories of Israel over surrounding nations, as seen in the conquest narratives of the Old Testament. It also has a prophetic dimension, pointing to the ultimate victory of Christ and His church over spiritual enemies, as referenced in <a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a>, where Jesus speaks of the gates of Hades not prevailing against His church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, to whom God made a covenant promising numerous descendants and blessings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a></b><br>Abraham's son, through whom the covenant promises would be fulfilled.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_moriah.htm">Mount Moriah</a></b><br>The location where Abraham was tested by God to sacrifice Isaac, demonstrating his faith and obedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine being who made the covenant with Abraham, promising blessings and numerous descendants.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_covenant.htm">The Covenant</a></b><br>The divine promise made by God to Abraham, which includes blessings, numerous descendants, and the possession of enemy gates.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a></b><br>Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates profound faith and obedience, serving as a model for believers to trust in God's promises even when circumstances are challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham over generations illustrates His faithfulness, encouraging believers to rely on God's promises in their own lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_descendants.htm">Spiritual Descendants</a></b><br>The promise of numerous descendants extends beyond physical lineage to include all who have faith in Christ, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's covenant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/victory_over_enemies.htm">Victory Over Enemies</a></b><br>The promise that Abraham's offspring will possess the gates of their enemies symbolizes spiritual victory, encouraging believers to trust in God's power to overcome challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/generational_blessings.htm">Generational Blessings</a></b><br>The blessings promised to Abraham extend to future generations, reminding believers of the impact of faithfulness on their descendants.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_22.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 22</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_children.htm">What does the Bible say about having children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_abrahamic_covenant.htm">What is the Abrahamic Covenant?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_numbers_1_figures_match_smaller_counts.htm">Are these large census numbers in Numbers 1 consistent with other passages that suggest significantly smaller populations? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_tola's_line_reach_22,600_warriors.htm">1 Chronicles 7:2 – How could Tola's descendants realistically grow to a force of 22,600 mighty warriors at that time? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/22-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">I will surely</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bless you,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָרֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇā·rêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1288.htm">Strong's 1288: </a> </span><span class="str2">To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I will multiply</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַרְבָּ֨ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·har·bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your descendants</span><br /><span class="heb">זַרְעֲךָ֙</span> <span class="translit">(zar·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the stars</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּכוֹכְבֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḵō·wḵ·ḇê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3556.htm">Strong's 3556: </a> </span><span class="str2">A star, a prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the sky</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·ma·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the sand</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכַח֕וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵa·ḥō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2344.htm">Strong's 2344: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the seashore.</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפַ֣ת</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Your descendants</span><br /><span class="heb">זַרְעֲךָ֔</span> <span class="translit">(zar·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2233.htm">Strong's 2233: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will possess</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִרַ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yi·raš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3423.htm">Strong's 3423: </a> </span><span class="str2">To occupy, to seize, to rob, to inherit, to expel, to impoverish, to ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the gates</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׁ֥עַר</span> <span class="translit">(ša·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of their enemies.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֹיְבָֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·yə·ḇāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_341.htm">Strong's 341: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hating, an adversary</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">OT Law: Genesis 22:17 That I will bless you greatly (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/22-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 22:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 22:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/22-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 22:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 22:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>