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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/22-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/01_Gen_22_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 22:17 - The Sacrifice Averted" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. 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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="study" id="study"></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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/genesis/22.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>I will surely bless you</b><br />The phrase "I will surely bless you" is a divine promise from God to Abraham, emphasizing certainty and abundance. The Hebrew root for "bless" is "barak," which conveys a sense of kneeling or adoration, indicating God's favor and grace. This blessing is not just material but spiritual, encompassing all aspects of life. Historically, this promise is pivotal as it establishes the Abrahamic covenant, a foundational element in Judeo-Christian theology, signifying God's unwavering commitment to His people.<p><b>and make your descendants</b><br />The term "descendants" in Hebrew is "zera," meaning seed or offspring. This word is significant as it not only refers to Abraham's immediate progeny but also to a vast lineage that includes the nation of Israel and, by extension, all who are of faith. Theologically, this points to the fulfillment of God's promise through generations, culminating in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Abraham.<p><b>as numerous as the stars in the sky</b><br />The imagery of "stars in the sky" is a powerful metaphor for innumerability and vastness. In ancient times, the stars were seen as countless and eternal, symbolizing the enduring and expansive nature of God's promise. This phrase reassures Abraham of a future that is beyond human comprehension, reflecting God's infinite power and the boundless scope of His blessings.<p><b>and as the sand on the seashore</b><br />Similar to the stars, "sand on the seashore" conveys an image of countless numbers. The Hebrew word for sand, "chol," suggests multitude and abundance. This metaphor reinforces the promise of a vast and thriving lineage. Archaeologically, the seashore represents boundaries and territories, hinting at the future expansion and influence of Abraham's descendants.<p><b>Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies</b><br />The phrase "possess the gates of their enemies" is a declaration of victory and dominion. In ancient cities, gates were strategic points of defense and commerce. To possess the gates meant to control the city, symbolizing triumph over adversaries. This promise foreshadows the eventual establishment of Israel as a nation and its spiritual victories through Christ. Theologically, it signifies the ultimate victory of God's people over sin and evil, assured through faith and divine intervention.<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>