Genesis 13:15

KJV

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

For all the land {H776} which thou seest {H7200}, to thee will I give it {H5414}, and to thy seed {H2233} for {H5704} ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the land you see I will give to you and your descendants forever,

Berean Standard Bible

for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.

American Standard Version

for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 13:15 stands as a profound divine declaration, unequivocally reaffirming and expanding God's covenant promises to Abram concerning the land. Following the amicable yet significant separation from Lot, God intervenes to reassure Abram, instructing him to survey the vast territory around him and declaring that all the land he could see, in every direction, would be given to him and his descendants perpetually, thereby solidifying the foundational land component of the Abrahamic Covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 13:15 is situated immediately after the pivotal separation of Abram and his nephew Lot, detailed in [Genesis 13:5-13](/genesis/13-5-13 "Abram and Lot's separation due to their abundant possessions"). The increasing wealth of both men led to strife between their herdsmen, prompting Abram to propose a division of the land to maintain peace. Lot, attracted by the well-watered plains of the Jordan, chose to settle near Sodom, leaving Abram in the less fertile, yet divinely designated, hill country of Canaan. In this moment of potential isolation or uncertainty for Abram, God actively intervenes. The preceding verse, [Genesis 13:14](/genesis/13-14 "God's instruction to Abram to look around"), directly sets the stage, with God commanding Abram to "lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward." This visual command underscores the vastness and tangibility of the promised inheritance, serving as a divine reassurance and an expansion of the initial land promise made in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's initial promise of land to Abram").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, land was the primary source of wealth, security, and identity. Nomadic peoples like Abram's clan relied on access to pastures and water, making the division with Lot a practical necessity. Divine grants of land were not uncommon in ancient treaties and covenants, but God's promise to Abram stands out due to its unilateral and unconditional nature. Canaan itself was a land inhabited by various peoples (e.g., Canaanites, Perizzites, [Genesis 13:7](/genesis/13-7 "Canaanites and Perizzites dwelling in the land")), making God's promise of its future possession to Abram's descendants a bold and sovereign declaration. The concept of "seed" (descendants) inheriting land was crucial for establishing a lasting lineage and national identity, which would become central to the future nation of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights God's **unwavering faithfulness** to His covenant promises, demonstrating His commitment even when human circumstances might suggest otherwise. The **centrality of the land** as a physical inheritance and a stage for God's redemptive plan is profoundly emphasized; it is not merely territory but a divinely appointed space for the covenant people. Furthermore, the theme of **divine sovereignty** is evident in God's unilateral declaration to "give" the land, asserting His absolute authority over creation and human destiny. Finally, the promise to Abram's **"seed"** underscores the multi-generational and enduring nature of the covenant, foreshadowing the development of a chosen nation through whom God's universal blessings would flow, as first outlined in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's promise to bless all families through Abram").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 13:15 is a direct, powerful divine declaration, expanding upon and reaffirming the initial promises made to Abram.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼerets'_):** (H776) This term refers to the earth at large, or more specifically, a country or territory. In this context, it denotes the specific geographical region of Canaan that God is promising to Abram. The emphasis is not just on any land, but on this particular, divinely chosen territory, which will become the physical embodiment of God's covenant with Israel and the stage for their national and spiritual history.
* **give (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** (H5414) A versatile primitive root, "nâthan" signifies to bestow, grant, or deliver. Here, it emphasizes the sovereign and unconditional nature of God's promise. The land is not earned or achieved by Abram; it is a direct, unmerited gift from God, highlighting His initiative and absolute authority in the covenant relationship. This verb underscores the divine origin and certainty of the land's future possession.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** (H2233) Derived from the verb "to sow," "zeraʻ" literally means "seed." Figuratively, it refers to offspring, progeny, or posterity. In Genesis 13:15, it refers to Abram's physical descendants, who will collectively inherit the promised land. This term is crucial for understanding the multi-generational scope of the Abrahamic Covenant, extending the promise far beyond Abram's lifetime to the future nation of Israel.
* **ever (Hebrew, _ʻôwlâm'_):** (H5769) This word, often translated as "forever," "eternal," or "perpetual," denotes an indefinite duration, reaching back into the distant past or forward into the unending future. When applied to divine promises and covenants, "ʻôwlâm" signifies an enduring, unbreakable commitment from God's perspective. It emphasizes the perpetual nature of the land promise, indicating that God's intention for Israel's possession of this land is not temporary but an everlasting decree.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For all the land which thou seest,"**: This opening clause highlights the immediate, visual scope of the promise. God invites Abram to physically survey the territory, making the vastness of the promised inheritance tangible to him. It encompasses the entirety of Canaan, a land of strategic and theological significance, emphasizing that the boundaries of the promise are as far as Abram's eyes can behold from his vantage point. This visual act serves to reinforce the reality and magnitude of God's gift.
* **"to thee will I give it,"**: This segment emphasizes the direct recipient of the promise—Abram himself. While he would not fully possess it in his lifetime, the promise was personally made to him, establishing his claim and the divine origin of the land's future ownership. The verb "give" (Hebrew: _nâthan_) denotes a sovereign, unconditional bestowal, highlighting God's grace and power in fulfilling His word, independent of human merit or effort.
* **"and to thy seed for ever."**: This extends the promise beyond Abram to his descendants. The term "seed" (Hebrew: _zeraʻ_) is a collective noun that refers to a multitude of descendants, signifying the future nation of Israel. In this context, it primarily denotes Abram's physical offspring through whom the covenant line would continue. The phrase "for ever" (Hebrew: _ʻôwlâm_) indicates an indefinite duration, often perpetual or eternal, especially when referring to divine promises or covenants. It signifies the enduring nature of God's commitment to Israel's possession of the land, establishing a perpetual claim rooted in divine decree and underscoring the covenant's reliability and permanence.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 13:15 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Divine Declaration**, where God directly speaks to Abram, underscoring the authoritative and unconditional nature of the promise. This direct address from the Creator to a human emphasizes the covenant's divine origin and certainty. Furthermore, the phrase "all the land which thou seest" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, as Abram could not literally see the entire vast expanse of Canaan from one vantage point. Instead, it conveys the immense scope and boundless generosity of God's gift, implying that the land would extend as far as the eye could possibly imagine in every direction. The verse also utilizes **Covenant Language**, particularly through the verb "give" and the adverbial phrase "for ever," which are characteristic terms used to establish and affirm binding agreements in the ancient Near East, highlighting the enduring and unbreakable nature of God's commitment to Abram and his descendants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 13:15 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness and the unconditional nature of His covenant with Abram. This divine re-affirmation, following the separation from Lot, underscores that God's promises are not contingent upon human circumstances or choices, but solely on His sovereign will and character. The land, far from being a mere geographical parcel, is presented as a foundational element of God's redemptive plan, serving as the physical stage upon which the covenant people would live out their relationship with God, develop into a nation, and ultimately become a source of blessing to all humanity. This promise of a perpetual inheritance highlights God's long-term vision and His commitment to establishing a people and a place through whom His purposes would unfold across generations.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's initial promise of land to Abram")
* [Genesis 15:18](/genesis/15-18 "God's covenant with Abram, defining the land's boundaries")
* [Psalm 105:8-11](/psalms/105-8-11 "God's eternal covenant regarding the land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 13:15 offers profound lessons for believers today, primarily calling us to a deep and unwavering trust in God's promises, even when their full realization seems distant or unclear. Just as Abram was called to trust God's declaration for a vast land he could only see in part, we are invited to live by faith in God's overarching plan for our lives and for the world, even when the path ahead is not fully visible. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's unchanging nature and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenants; if God promised and delivered on such a grand scale to Abram and his descendants, He will surely be faithful to His promises to us, empowering us to live with spiritual vision, unwavering hope, and a confident expectation in His perfect and eternal purposes, knowing that His word is always true and His gifts are irrevocable.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's re-affirmation of the land promise to Abram, particularly after a difficult separation, encourage your trust in God's faithfulness amidst personal challenges or uncertainties?**
* **What "land" or spiritual inheritance might God be calling you to "see" and trust Him for in your life today, even if its full manifestation is not yet visible?**
* **In what ways does the "for ever" aspect of God's promise to Abram's seed provide a foundation for your hope in God's eternal plans for His people and creation?**

### FAQ
**Is the promise of the land to Abram and his seed still relevant today?**

Answer: Yes, the promise of the land to Israel remains profoundly relevant as a testament to God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant people. While the physical possession of the land has seen various historical fulfillments, challenges, and interpretations, the promise itself is eternal, rooted in God's unchanging character and His covenantal commitment. For Christians, it also points to a greater spiritual inheritance in Christ, encompassing not just a physical territory but also the spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant and a share in God's eternal kingdom.

**What is the significance of God instructing Abram to "see" the land?**

Answer: God's instruction for Abram to "lift up now thine eyes, and look" ([Genesis 13:14](/genesis/13-14 "God's instruction to Abram to look around")) was a deeply significant and tangible act designed to reinforce the promise. It allowed Abram to visually grasp the vastness and concrete reality of what God was giving him and his descendants. This personal, visual engagement transformed an abstract promise into a tangible reality, strengthening Abram's faith and providing a concrete basis for his trust in God's word, making the divine promise more immediate and personal.

**Does "for ever" truly mean eternally in this context?**

Answer: The Hebrew word _ʻôwlâm_ (H5769), translated "for ever," denotes an indefinite, often perpetual, duration. When applied to divine covenants and promises, as it is here, it signifies an enduring, unbreakable commitment from God's perspective. It implies that the land promise, as an integral part of the Abrahamic Covenant, is not temporary or conditional upon human performance but perpetual in its divine intent. While the historical manifestations of this promise have varied, its ultimate theological significance as an eternal commitment from God remains.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 13:15 primarily refers to the physical land promised to Abram's physical descendants, its ultimate and most profound fulfillment finds a spiritual dimension in Jesus Christ. The "seed" mentioned in the promise, while initially referring to the nation of Israel, is prophetically interpreted by the Apostle Paul in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Paul's interpretation of 'seed' in Galatians 3:16") as singularly pointing to Jesus Christ, the one true Seed through whom all God's promises are affirmed. Through faith in Christ, believers, whether Jew or Gentile, become spiritual "heirs according to the promise" ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Believers as heirs according to the promise in Galatians 3:29")), inheriting eternal life, the boundless spiritual blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant, and a place in God's eternal kingdom. This spiritual inheritance far transcends any physical territory, pointing to the "better country, that is, a heavenly one" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Believers seeking a heavenly country")) and the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "The new heavens and new earth in Revelation 21:1-4")) where God will dwell with His people forever. Thus, the physical land promise to Abram serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the infinitely greater and eternal spiritual dwelling place secured for all who are found in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 20:7

[Art] not thou our God, [who] didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

Genesis 15:18

In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Genesis 12:7

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 35:12

And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

Nehemiah 9:7

Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

Nehemiah 9:8

And foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give [it, I say], to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou [art] righteous:

Acts 7:5

And he gave him none inheritance in it, no, not [so much as] to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when [as yet] he had no child.