Genesis 22:17

I will indeed bless you, ¹  and I will greatly multiply ²  your descendants ³  so that they will be as countless as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession ⁴  of the strongholds ⁵  of their enemies.

Ge 12:2; Ge 13:16; Ge 15:5; Ge 17:6; Ge 24:60; Ge 26:4; Ge 27:28,29; Ge 28:3,14-22; Ge 49:25,26; Nu 24:17-19; De 1:10; De 21:19; De 28:2-13; Jos 1:1-10:43; 2Sa 8:1-18; 2Sa 10:1-19; 1Ki 9:26; Ps 2:8,9; Ps 72:8,9; Jer 32:22; Jer 33:22; Da 2:44,45; Mic 1:9; Lu 1:68-75; 1Co 15:57; Eph 1:3; Re 11:15

¹ tn The use of the infinitive absolute before the finite verbal form (either an imperfect or cohortative) emphasizes the certainty of the blessing.

² tn Here too the infinitive absolute is used for emphasis before the following finite verb (either an imperfect or cohortative).

sn I will greatly multiply. The Lord here ratifies his earlier promise to give Abram a multitude of descendants. For further discussion see R. B. Chisholm, “Evidence from Genesis,” A Case for Premillennialism, 35-54.

³ tn The Hebrew term זֶרַע (zera’) occurring here and in v. 18 may mean “seed” (for planting), “offspring” (occasionally of animals, but usually of people), or “descendants” depending on the context.

⁴ tn Or “inherit.”

⁵ tn Heb “gate,” which here stands for a walled city. To break through the gate complex would be to conquer the city, for the gate complex was the main area of defense (hence the translation “stronghold”).