The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you." The land I gave to Abraham and IsaacThis phrase refers to the covenantal promise God made to the patriarchs, Abraham and Isaac. The Hebrew word for "land" is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which signifies not just a physical territory but a divinely appointed inheritance. Historically, this land is Canaan, a region that holds significant archaeological and historical importance as the cradle of the Israelite nation. The promise to Abraham is first found in Genesis 12:7, where God assures him of this land for his offspring. This continuity of promise underscores God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine plan through generations. I will give to you
Here, God reaffirms His promise to Jacob, also known as Israel, solidifying his role in the divine narrative. The Hebrew verb "נָתַן" (natan), meaning "to give," is used, emphasizing the certainty and generosity of God's promise. This act of giving is not based on Jacob's merit but on God's sovereign will and grace. It highlights the theme of divine election and blessing that runs throughout the Scriptures, where God chooses individuals to fulfill His purposes. and I will give this land to your descendants after you
The promise extends beyond Jacob to his "descendants," the Hebrew word "זֶרַע" (zera), meaning seed or offspring. This indicates a perpetual inheritance, ensuring that the covenant is not just for Jacob but for the nation that will come from him. This promise is foundational for the identity of the Israelites as God's chosen people, destined to inhabit the Promised Land. It also foreshadows the broader biblical narrative of salvation history, where the land serves as a stage for God's redemptive work through Israel, ultimately pointing to the coming of the Messiah. The assurance of this promise would have been a source of hope and identity for the Israelites throughout their history, especially during times of exile and displacement. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jacob (Israel)The recipient of God's promise, Jacob is the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He is a patriarch in the lineage of the Israelites. 2. Abraham and IsaacThe forefathers of Jacob, to whom God initially made the covenant promise of land and descendants. 3. The LandRefers to the land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants as an everlasting possession. 4. God's CovenantThe divine promise made by God to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring the inheritance of the land and the establishment of a great nation. 5. DescendantsThe future generations of Jacob, through whom the promise of the land will be fulfilled. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod's promise to Jacob is a testament to His unwavering faithfulness. Despite human failings, God's covenant remains steadfast, reminding us to trust in His promises. Generational BlessingsThe promise to Jacob highlights the importance of generational faithfulness. Our actions and faith can impact future generations, encouraging us to live in a way that honors God's covenant. Inheritance of FaithJust as Jacob inherited the promise, believers today inherit spiritual blessings through faith in Christ. We are called to live as heirs of God's kingdom, embracing our identity in Him. The Importance of ObedienceJacob's life demonstrates the necessity of obedience to God's commands. As recipients of God's promises, we are called to walk in obedience, aligning our lives with His will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's promise to Jacob in Genesis 35:12 reflect His faithfulness to His covenant throughout the Bible? 2. In what ways can we see the impact of generational faithfulness in our own lives and communities? 3. How does the concept of spiritual inheritance through Christ relate to the physical inheritance promised to Jacob? 4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate obedience to God in our daily lives, following the example of the patriarchs? 5. How can we encourage and nurture faith in future generations, ensuring the continuation of God's promises in our families and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 12:7God first promises the land to Abraham, establishing the initial covenant. Genesis 26:3God reaffirms the promise to Isaac, ensuring the continuity of His covenant. Exodus 6:8God reiterates His promise to the Israelites, emphasizing His faithfulness to the covenant. Hebrews 11:9-10Reflects on the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they lived in the promised land as foreigners, looking forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Descendants, Isaac, Seed, YeaDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:12 4207 land, divine gift Genesis 35:9-13 7135 Israel, people of God Genesis 35:9-15 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 35:11-12 5096 Jacob, patriarch
5503 rich, the
7258 promised land, early history Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:12 NIVGenesis 35:12 NLTGenesis 35:12 ESVGenesis 35:12 NASBGenesis 35:12 KJV
Genesis 35:12 Commentaries
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