King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
Complete Jewish Bible:
inasmuch as Avraham is sure to become a great and strong nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed by him?
Berean Standard Bible:
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
American Standard Version:
seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Seeing that Abraham{H85} shall surely become a great{H1419} and mighty{H6099} nation{H1471}, and all the nations{H1471} of the earth{H776} shall be blessed{H1288} in him?
Cross-References (KJV):
Galatians 3:8
- And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, [saying], In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Genesis 26:4
- And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Galatians 3:14
- That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Genesis 22:17
- 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;
Genesis 22:18
- And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Genesis 12:2
- And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Genesis 12:3
- And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 18:18
Genesis 18:18 is part of the narrative where three visitors come to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. These visitors are later revealed to be the Lord and two angels. The verse encapsulates a key promise made by God to Abraham, which is central to the Abrahamic covenant.
**Themes:**
1. **Promise of Nationhood:** The verse reiterates God's promise that Abraham will become the progenitor of a great nation. This theme of nation-building is pivotal in the book of Genesis, setting the stage for the Israelite people's identity and future.
2. **Divine Blessing:** The promise extends beyond Abraham's immediate descendants to encompass all nations of the earth. This universal blessing implies that Abraham's lineage, particularly through Isaac and Jacob (later named Israel), will have a significant role in God's plan for humanity.
3. **Election and Responsibility:** Abraham is chosen by God, which comes with the responsibility to lead a life that reflects God's will. This election is not for Abraham's sake alone but for the benefit of all peoples.
4. **Covenantal Relationship:** The verse underscores the covenant between God and Abraham, which includes mutual obligations and an enduring relationship. God's faithfulness to this covenant is a recurring theme throughout the Bible.
**Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** The events surrounding Genesis 18:18 take place during the Patriarchal Age, which is characterized by the lives and interactions of the early Hebrew patriarchs and matriarchs, including Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Leah and Rachel.
- **Early Monotheism:** This period reflects a transition from polytheism to monotheism, with Abraham being a key figure in the establishment of monotheistic faith.
- **Nomadic Lifestyle:** Abraham and his clan lived a semi-nomadic life in Canaan, moving from place to place, which was common for people of that time and region.
- **Pre-Mosaic:** The narrative predates the giving of the Law to Moses, and thus, the covenant with Abraham is foundational and distinct from the Mosaic covenant that would later shape Israelite religious and social life.
In summary, Genesis 18:18 is a linchpin verse that expresses the divine promise of Abraham's future greatness and the blessing that would extend to all nations through his descendants, emphasizing the themes of election, promise, and covenantal relationship within the historical context of the Patriarchal Age.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H85
There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham. - Strong's Number: H1419
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּדוֹל
Transliteration: gâdôwl
Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. - Strong's Number: H6099
There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָצוּם
Transliteration: ʻâtsûwm
Pronunciation: aw-tsoom'
Description: or עָצֻם; passive participle of עָצַם; powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous; [phrase] feeble, great, mighty, must, strong. - Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H1288
There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָרַךְ
Transliteration: bârak
Pronunciation: baw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; 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 treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank.