Genesis 22:18
And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Study Note
Study Note
Following Abraham's obedience in the Aqedah (the binding of Isaac), the divine oath intensifies the earlier promises of Genesis 12 and 15 with the formula 'by myself I have sworn.' The phrase 'in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed' is quoted by Paul in Galatians 3:16 with the argument that 'offspring' (Hebrew: zera'; Greek: sperma) is singular, pointing to Christ as the ultimate heir and mediator of the blessing. Acts 3:25 applies the verse to the early proclamation of the gospel, marking the fulfillment of the Abrahamic mission in the apostolic mission. The conditionality 'because you have obeyed my voice' links the escalated promise to the supreme test of faith, making obedience the occasion, though not the cause, of the oath.
Other Translations
and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
and blessed themselves in thy seed have all nations of the earth, because that thou hast hearkened to My voice.'
And your seed will be a blessing to all the nations of the earth, because you have done what I gave you orders to do.
Cross References
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families …
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be …
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with …
And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all …
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should …
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be …
But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be …
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, …