Genesis 18:18

18 seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Genesis 18:18 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 18:18

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty
nation
Which was fulfilled in the nation of Israel, so called, not so much for the largeness of the place they dwelt in, and the number of its inhabitants, as for the law of God that was given them, and the worship of God kept up among them; on account of which there was no nation so great, ( Deuteronomy 4:8 ) ; and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him;
in his seed, the Messiah, in whom some of all nations are blessed with all spiritual blessings. Now, since God had promised, and would do such great things for him and his, he judged it right and proper not to hide from him what he was about to do at Sodom, and the rather, as he had a near relation that dwelt there.

Genesis 18:18 In-Context

16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them to set them on their way.
17 The Lord said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do,
18 seeing that Abraham shall become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
19 No, for I have chosen him, that he may charge his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice; so that the Lord may bring about for Abraham what he has promised him."
20 Then the Lord said, "How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and how very grave their sin!

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or [and all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by him]
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.