Genesis 22:16-17

Listen to Genesis 22:16-17
16 and said, 1“By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son,
17 I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring 2as the stars of heaven and 3as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess 4the gate of his[a] enemies,

Genesis 22:16-17 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 22

In this chapter we have an account of an order given by God to Abraham to sacrifice his son, Ge 22:1,2; of his readiness to obey the will of God, he immediately preparing everything for that purpose, Ge 22:3-10, of the order being reversed, and another sacrifice substituted in its room, which occasioned the giving a new name to the place where it was done, Ge 22:11-14; upon which the promise of special blessings, of a numerous offspring, and of the seed in whom all nations should be blessed, is renewed, Ge 22:15-18; after this Abraham returns to Beersheba, where he is informed of the increase of his brother Nahor's family, Ge 22:19-24.

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Cross References 4

  • 1. 22:16 Ps. 105:9; Luke 1:73; Heb. 6:13
  • 2. 22:17 Jer. 33:22; See ch. 15:5
  • 3. 22:17 See ch. 13:16
  • 4. 22:17 ch. 24:60; Ps. 127:5

Footnotes 1

  • [a] 22:17 Or 'their'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025