Genesis 22:16

16 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.

Genesis 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 22:16

And said, by myself have I sworn, saith the Lord
Which Aben Ezra observes is a great oath, and abides for ever; for because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself, his own nature, perfections, and life, ( Hebrews 6:13 ) ; hence it appears, that the Angel that called to Abraham was a divine Person, the true Jehovah: for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son,
thine only [son];
that is, from the Lord, as in ( Genesis 22:12 ) ; and is here repeated as being a most marvellous thing, a wonderful instance of faith in God, and fear of him, and of love and obedience to him; for, with respect to the will of Abraham, and as far as he was suffered to go, it was as much done as it was possible for him to do, and was looked upon as if actually done: yet this is not observed as meritorious of what follows; the promise of which had been made before, but is now repeated to show what notice God took of, and how well pleased he was with what had been done; and therefore renews the promise, which of his own grace and good will he had made, for the strengthening of Abraham's faith, and to encourage others to obey the Lord in whatsoever he commands them.

Genesis 22:16 In-Context

14 And Abraam called the name of that place, The Lord hath seen; that they might say to-day, In the mount the Lord was seen.

15 And an angel of the Lord called Abraam the second time out of heaven, saying, I have sworn by myself, says the Lord, because thou hast done this thing, and on my account hast not spared thy beloved son,

16 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.

17 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast hearkened to my voice.

18 And Abraam returned to his servants, and they arose and went together to the well of the oath; and Abraam dwelt at the well of the oath.