Acts 3:25
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Original Language Analysis
υἱοὶ
the children
G5207
υἱοὶ
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
3 of 29
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
προφητῶν
of the prophets
G4396
προφητῶν
of the prophets
Strong's:
G4396
Word #:
5 of 29
a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθήκης
of the covenant
G1242
διαθήκης
of the covenant
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
ἡς
which
G3739
ἡς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 29
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διέθετο
made
G1303
διέθετο
made
Strong's:
G1303
Word #:
10 of 29
to put apart, i.e., (figuratively) dispose (by assignment, compact, or bequest)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
God
G2316
θεὸς
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
13 of 29
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρας
fathers
G3962
πατέρας
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
15 of 29
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
18 of 29
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
20 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπέρματί
seed
G4690
σπέρματί
seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
22 of 29
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατριαὶ
the kindreds
G3965
πατριαὶ
the kindreds
Strong's:
G3965
Word #:
27 of 29
paternal descent, i.e., (concretely) a group of families or a whole race (nation)
Cross References
Genesis 22:18And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.Acts 2:39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.Galatians 3:8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.1 Chronicles 16:17And hath confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant,Genesis 12:3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Revelation 7:9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;Romans 4:13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.Galatians 3:16Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.Psalms 22:27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.Nehemiah 9:8And 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:
Historical Context
The Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:3, 22:18) promised blessing to all nations through Abraham's descendant. Paul develops this christologically in Galatians 3:16, identifying Christ as the 'seed.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does covenant privilege increase accountability for responding to Christ?
- What does Christ being Abraham's seed mean for global mission?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Peter reminds his audience: 'ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant.' Their privileged position increases responsibility. The Abrahamic promise - 'in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed' - finds fulfillment in Jesus, Abraham's ultimate seed.