Features Pricing Bible Library Churches About Sign in Begin

Genesis 48:4

And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

Genesis 48:4 · King James Version

Meaning

The verse "And said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a multitude of people; and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession." can be found in Genesis 48:4. In this verse, God is promising to bless and multiply the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. The promise includes making them fruitful and increasing their numbers, ultimately leading to them becoming a multitude of people. God is also affirming that the land he is giving to Jacob's descendants will be theirs forever, as an everlasting possession. This verse highlights God's faithfulness in keeping his promises and his desire to bless his people abundantly. It serves as a reminder of the covenant God made with the Israelites and the importance of obedience and faith in God's plan for their future.

Theological Overview

From a theological perspective, this verse highlights the covenantal promise that God made to Abraham in the Old Testament. The promise to make him fruitful, multiply his descendants, and give them the land as an everlasting possession demonstrates God's faithfulness to His chosen people. This promise is not just limited to physical descendants, but also applies to spiritual descendants as well, which includes all believers who place their faith in God. The word "fruitful" signifies not only physical offspring but also spiritual growth and abundance in God's blessings. The idea of multiplying descendants shows God's intention to establish a community of believers who will inherit the promises of God. The land promised to Abraham's seed is symbolic of the inheritance and blessings that believers receive through their faith in God. Overall, this verse emphasizes God's faithfulness, provision, and commitment to fulfill His promises to those who trust in Him.

Genesis 48:4 in other translations

American Standard Version

and said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, and I will make of thee a company of peoples, and will give this land to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

World English Bible

and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your seed after you for an everlasting possession.’

Douay-Rheims

And said: I will cause thee to increase and multiply, and I will make of thee a multitude of people: and I will give this land to thee, and to thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession.

Geneva Bible (1599)

And he sayde vnto me, Behold, I wil make thee fruitefull, and will multiplie thee, and will make a great number of people of thee, and will giue this lande vnto thy seede after thee for an euerlasting possession.