Genesis 17:8

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.

And I will give {H5414} unto thee, and to thy seed {H2233} after thee {H310}, the land {H776} wherein thou art a stranger {H4033}, all the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, for an everlasting {H5769} possession {H272}; and I will be their God {H430}.

I will give you and your descendants after you the land in which you are now foreigners, all the land of Kena'an, as a permanent possession; and I will be their God."

And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.”

And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Commentary

Context of Genesis 17:8

Genesis 17 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, detailing the establishment of God's covenant with Abram, whose name is divinely changed to Abraham, "father of many nations." This chapter follows God's initial call to Abram in Genesis 12, where the promise of land and descendants was first made. Here, God reiterates and expands upon that promise, introducing circumcision as the physical sign of this everlasting covenant. Verse 8 specifically focuses on the land aspect of the covenant, solidifying Canaan as the promised inheritance for Abraham and his descendants.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Everlasting Land Promise: God unequivocally promises Abraham and his "seed after thee" the entire land of Canaan. The term "everlasting possession" underscores the permanence and divine guarantee of this inheritance, signifying a perpetual right to the land for the nation of Israel.
  • God's Covenant Faithfulness: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His promises. Despite Abraham being a "stranger" or sojourner in the land, God pledges it as a permanent home for his lineage. This highlights God's character as a promise-keeper.
  • Covenant Relationship: The phrase "and I will be their God" encapsulates the deepest aspect of the covenant. It signifies an intimate, personal, and protective relationship between the Almighty God and His chosen people, extending beyond mere land ownership to a spiritual and relational bond. This echoes throughout scripture, such as in Jeremiah 31:33 concerning the new covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "everlasting possession" translates from the Hebrew 'achuzzath 'olam (אֲחֻזַּת עוֹלָם). The word 'olam (עוֹלָם) can mean "eternity," "forever," or "age-long," implying a duration that extends beyond human comprehension or a period without end. In this context, it emphasizes the perpetual and enduring nature of the land grant to Abraham's descendants, signifying an ownership that is divinely secured and permanent, not temporary or conditional upon immediate human actions.

Practical Application

Genesis 17:8 offers profound insights for believers today:

  • God Keeps His Promises: Just as God faithfully promised and delivered the land to Abraham's descendants over centuries, we can trust that God will fulfill all His promises to us. This builds faith and encourages perseverance in the face of uncertainty.
  • Our Spiritual Inheritance: While the land promise was physical for Israel, believers in Christ are considered Abraham's spiritual seed (Galatians 3:29) and are heirs to a spiritual inheritance that includes eternal life, the Holy Spirit, and a place in God's eternal kingdom.
  • God Desires Relationship: The ultimate promise, "I will be their God," reminds us that God's greatest desire is a deep, covenantal relationship with His people. This relationship is the foundation of all other blessings and offers profound security and identity.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 26:12 (11 votes)

    And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

  • Psalms 105:11 (9 votes)

    Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:

  • Genesis 12:7 (8 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 6:7 (8 votes)

    And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

  • Deuteronomy 29:13 (6 votes)

    That he may establish thee to day for a people unto himself, and [that] he may be unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.

  • Genesis 13:15 (6 votes)

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

  • Deuteronomy 14:2 (6 votes)

    For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.