CINXE.COM

<!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 13:16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/13-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/01_Gen_13_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 13:16 - God Renews the Promise to Abram" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/13-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/13-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/13.htm">Chapter 13</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/13-15.htm" title="Genesis 13:15">◄</a> Genesis 13:16 <a href="/genesis/13-17.htm" title="Genesis 13:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/13.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/13.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/13.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/13.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/13.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/13.htm">King James Bible</a></span><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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/13.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, <i>then</i> your descendants also could be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/13.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will make your descendants as <i>plentiful as</i> the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can count the dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/13.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/13.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/13.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your seed can also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/13.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I will make your descendants [as numerous] as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the [grains of] dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/13.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/13.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/13.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><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, then may thy seed also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/13.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I will give you more descendants than there are specks of dust on the earth, and someday it will be easier to count those specks of dust than to count your descendants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/13.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><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, then shall thy seed also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/13.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I will also give you as many descendants as the dust of the earth. If anyone could count the dust of the earth, then he could also count your descendants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/13.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I am going to give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them all; it would be as easy to count all the specks of dust on earth! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/13.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I'll make your descendants as plentiful as the specks of dust of the earth, so that if one could count the specks of dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/13.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/13.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone is able to count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also can be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/13.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring also could be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/13.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><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, then shall thy seed also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/13.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/13.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I have set your seed as dust of the earth, so that, if one is able to number the dust of the earth, even your seed is numbered;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/13.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I have set thy seed as dust of the earth, so that, if one is able to number the dust of the earth, even thy seed is numbered;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/13.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I made thy seed as the dust of the earth, that if a man shall be able to reckon up the dust of the earth, thy seed also shall be reckoned up.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/13.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: if any man be able to number the dust of the earth, he shall be able to number thy seed also. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/13.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth. If any man is able to number the dust of the earth, he will be able to number your offspring as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/13.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; if anyone could count the dust of the earth, your descendants too might be counted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/13.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth; so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/13.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth; so that if you can number the dust of the earth, then shall your descendants also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/13.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I shall make him, your seed, as the dust of the Earth so that if you can count the dust of the Earth, your seed also will be counted.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/13.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><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, then shall thy seed also be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/13.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I will make thy seed like the dust of the earth; if any one is able to number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed be numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/13-16.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=2859" 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/13.htm">God Renews the Promise to Abram</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: wə·śam·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">I will make</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 offspring</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ka·‘ă·p̄ar (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">like the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the earth,</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.">so that</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">if</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/3201.htm" title="3201: yū·ḵal (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be able, have power. Or yakowl; a primitive root; to be able, literally or morally.">could</a> <a href="/hebrew/4487.htm" title="4487: lim·nō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll.">count</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/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ă·p̄ar (N-msc) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">the dust</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the earth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">then</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 offspring</a> <a href="/hebrew/4487.htm" title="4487: yim·mā·neh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll.">could be counted.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>Get up and walk around the land, through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you.”…<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="/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/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</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="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="/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="/deuteronomy/1-10.htm">Deuteronomy 1:10</a></span><br />The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/10-22.htm">Deuteronomy 10:22</a></span><br />Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-20.htm">1 Kings 4:20</a></span><br />The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/27-23.htm">1 Chronicles 27:23</a></span><br />David did not count the men aged twenty or under, because the LORD had said that He would make Israel as numerous as the stars of the sky.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-23.htm">Nehemiah 9:23</a></span><br />You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/1-10.htm">Hosea 1:10</a></span><br />Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’<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="/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="/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="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a></span><br />And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I will make your seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall your seed also be numbered.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2,3</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/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 17:6,16,20</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><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/13-6.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/11-30.htm">Children</a> <a href="/revelation/13-18.htm">Count</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/3-19.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-12.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/13-15.htm">Seed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Able</a> <a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Children</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Count</a> <a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Counted</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Descendants</a> <a href="/genesis/18-27.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/genesis/14-10.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Numbered</a> <a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Offspring</a> <a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Seed</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 13</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/13-1.htm">Abram and Lot return with great riches out of Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/13-6.htm">Strife arises between Abram's herdsmen and those of Lot.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/13-8.htm">Abram allows Lot to choose his part of the country,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/13-10.htm">and Lot goes toward Sodom.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/13-14.htm">God renews his promise to Abram.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/13-18.htm">He moves to Hebron, and there builds an altar.</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 /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/13.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/13.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth</b><br>This promise to Abram (later Abraham) signifies an innumerable and vast multitude of descendants. The imagery of "dust of the earth" suggests not only quantity but also a connection to the earth itself, emphasizing the physical and tangible nature of God's promise. This phrase echoes the earlier promise in <a href="/genesis/12-2.htm">Genesis 12:2</a>, where God promises to make Abram a great nation. The use of "dust" is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where dust was a common metaphor for multitude and insignificance, yet here it is transformed into a symbol of divine blessing and abundance. This promise is foundational to the Abrahamic covenant, which is further elaborated in <a href="/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15 and 17</a>, and is a precursor to the nation of Israel. <p><b>so that if one could count the dust of the earth</b><br>This hyperbolic statement underscores the impossibility of counting Abram's descendants, highlighting the supernatural aspect of God's promise. It reflects the divine assurance that Abram's lineage will be vast beyond human comprehension. This idea is paralleled in <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, where God tells Abram to count the stars, if he can, as a representation of his future offspring. The use of such imagery serves to reinforce the certainty and magnitude of God's covenant promises, which are not limited by human constraints or understanding.<p><b>then your offspring could be counted</b><br>The conclusion of this promise emphasizes the certainty and divine origin of Abram's future descendants. It points to the fulfillment of God's covenant through the nation of Israel and, ultimately, through the coming of Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, as noted in the genealogies of <a href="/matthew/1.htm">Matthew 1</a> and <a href="/luke/3.htm">Luke 3</a>. This promise also finds its fulfillment in the spiritual descendants of Abraham, as Paul explains in <a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Galatians 3:29</a>, where those who belong to Christ are considered Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise. This dual fulfillment—both physical and spiritual—demonstrates the comprehensive nature of God's covenant with Abraham, extending beyond ethnic Israel to include all who have faith in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram (Abraham)</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Abram is the recipient of God's promise. He is a patriarch of the faith, known for his obedience and faith in God's promises.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine speaker in this passage, God is making a covenantal promise to Abram regarding his descendants.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land where Abram is residing at the time of this promise. It is significant as the land promised to Abram's descendants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/lot.htm">Lot</a></b><br>Abram's nephew, who has just separated from Abram, choosing the fertile plains of Jordan, while Abram remains in Canaan.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_dust_of_the_earth.htm">The Dust of the Earth</a></b><br>A metaphor used by God to describe the innumerable nature of Abram's future descendants.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_promises.htm">Faith in God's Promises</a></b><br>Abram's life exemplifies faith in God's promises, even when fulfillment seems impossible. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's word and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_faithfulness.htm">God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness</a></b><br>This passage highlights God's sovereign plan and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, reminding believers of His unchanging nature.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_descendants.htm">Spiritual Descendants</a></b><br>While the promise to Abram was physical, it also has a spiritual dimension, as believers in Christ are considered Abraham's spiritual descendants.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/patience_and_obedience.htm">Patience and Obedience</a></b><br>Abram's journey teaches the importance of patience and obedience in the life of faith, as God's promises often unfold over time.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faith.htm">Legacy of Faith</a></b><br>Abram's account encourages believers to consider the legacy of faith they are building for future generations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_13.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 13</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'antediluvian'_mean.htm">How did Abraham and Sarah have their son Isaac?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_abraham_and_sarah_have_isaac.htm">How did Abraham and Sarah have their son Isaac?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/significance_of_'dust_of_the_earth'.htm">What is the significance of "Dust of the Earth"?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_rapid_tribe_growth_in_numbers_26_plausible.htm">Is the quick replenishment of certain tribes after mass deaths (Numbers 26) plausible without any record of extraordinary birth rates or other means of population growth? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/13.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth</span>. "As the land shall be great for thy people, thy posterity, so thy people shall be great or innumerable for the land" (Lunge). Afterwards the seed of Abram is likened to the stars of heaven for multitude (<a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>). <span class="cmt_word">So that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/13-16.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 make</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·śam·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your offspring</span><br /><span class="heb">זַרְעֲךָ֖</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 dust</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּעֲפַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·‘ă·p̄ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the earth,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">if</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֗ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> </span><span class="str2">Man, mankind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">could</span><br /><span class="heb">יוּכַ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(yū·ḵal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3201.htm">Strong's 3201: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be able, have power</span><br /><br /><span class="word">count</span><br /><span class="heb">לִמְנוֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(lim·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> </span><span class="str2">To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the dust</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲפַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·p̄ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the earth,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֔רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">then</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּֽם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your offspring</span><br /><span class="heb">זַרְעֲךָ֖</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">could be counted.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִמָּנֶֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(yim·mā·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4487.htm">Strong's 4487: </a> </span><span class="str2">To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/13-16.htm">Genesis 13:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/13-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 13:16 I will make your offspring as (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/13-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 13:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 13:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/13-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 13:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 13:17" /></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>