Genesis 13:16

16 "I will make your children like the dust of the earth. Can dust be counted? If it can, then your children can be counted.

Genesis 13:16 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 13:16

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth
An hyperbolical expression denoting the great multitude of Abram's posterity, as they were in the days of Solomon, and as they will be in the latter day; and especially as this may respect all the spiritual seed of Abram, Jews and Gentiles, and as they will be in the spiritual reign of Christ, see ( Hosea 1:10 Hosea 1:11 ) ; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy
seed be numbered;
but as it is impossible to do the one, so the other is not practicable, see ( Numbers 23:10 ) .

Genesis 13:16 In-Context

14 The LORD spoke to Abram after Lot had left him. He said, "Look up from where you are. Look north and south. Look east and west.

15 I will give you all of the land that you see. I will give it to you and your children after you forever.

16 "I will make your children like the dust of the earth. Can dust be counted? If it can, then your children can be counted.

17 Go. Walk through the land. See how long and wide it is. I am giving it to you."

18 So Abram moved his tents. He went to live near the large trees of Mamre at Hebron. There he built an altar to honor the Lord.