King James Version

What Does Genesis 17:8 Mean?

Genesis 17:8 in the King James Version says “And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. wherein: Heb. of thy sojournings”

Genesis 17:8 · KJV

Eternal Life

Context

6

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

7

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

8

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. wherein: Heb. of thy sojournings

9

And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.

10

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Read Genesis 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. How should this truth about Isaac Promised shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְנָֽתַתִּ֣י1 of 16

“And I will give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְ֠ךָ2 of 16
H0
וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֨3 of 16

“unto thee and to thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אַֽחֲרֶ֜יךָ4 of 16

“after thee”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֵ֣ת׀5 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֣רֶץ6 of 16

“all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מְגֻרֶ֗יךָ7 of 16

“wherein thou art a stranger”

H4033

a temporary abode; by extension, a permanent residence

אֵ֚ת8 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל9 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֶ֣רֶץ10 of 16

“all the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן11 of 16

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

לַֽאֲחֻזַּ֖ת12 of 16

“possession”

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)

עוֹלָ֑ם13 of 16

“for an everlasting”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

וְהָיִ֥יתִי14 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לָהֶ֖ם15 of 16
H0
לֵֽאלֹהִֽים׃16 of 16

“and I will be their God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 17:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 17:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 26:12Psalms 105:11Genesis 12:7Exodus 6:7Genesis 13:15Deuteronomy 26:18

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
View all places in Genesis 17 →

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