King James Version

What Does Genesis 22:17 Mean?

Genesis 22:17 in the King James Version says “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the s...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; shore: Heb. lip”

Genesis 22:17 · KJV

Context

15

And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,

16

And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:

17

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; shore: Heb. lip

18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

19

So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Read Genesis 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. What theological truths about Binding of Isaac emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כִּֽי1 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲבָֽרֶכְךָ֗2 of 19

“I will bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֲבָֽרֶכְךָ֗3 of 19

“I will bless”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אַרְבֶּ֤ה4 of 19

“I will multiply”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

אַרְבֶּ֤ה5 of 19

“I will multiply”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

אֶֽת6 of 19
H853

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

זַרְעֲךָ֔7 of 19

“and thy seed”

H2233

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

כְּכֽוֹכְבֵ֣י8 of 19

“as the stars”

H3556

a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince

הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם9 of 19

“of the heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְכַח֕וֹל10 of 19

“and as the sand”

H2344

sand (as round or whirling particles)

אֲשֶׁ֖ר11 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל12 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שְׂפַ֣ת13 of 19

“shore”

H8193

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)

הַיָּ֑ם14 of 19

“which is upon the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וְיִרַ֣שׁ15 of 19

“shall possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

זַרְעֲךָ֔16 of 19

“and thy seed”

H2233

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

אֵ֖ת17 of 19
H853

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

שַׁ֥עַר18 of 19

“the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֹֽיְבָֽיו׃19 of 19

“of his enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 22:17 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 22:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 15:5Genesis 24:60Genesis 26:4Jeremiah 33:22Numbers 24:17-19Psalms 2:8-9

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 22 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes