Galatians 3:16

Authorized King James Version

Now 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#2
δὲ
G1161
Now
but, and, etc
#3
Ἀβραὰμ
G11
to Abraham
abraham, the hebrew patriarch
#4
ἐῤῥήθησαν
G4483
made
to utter, i.e., speak or say
#5
αἱ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#6
ἐπαγγελίαι
G1860
the promises
an announcement (for information, assent or pledge; especially a divine assurance of good)
#7
Καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#8
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#9
σπέρματί
G4690
seed
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
#10
αὐτοῦ
G846
his
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#11
οὐ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#12
λέγει
G3004
He saith
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
#13
Καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#14
τοῖς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
σπέρματί
G4690
seed
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
#16
ὡς
G5613
as
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
#17
ἐφ'
G1909
of
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#18
πολλῶν
G4183
many
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
#19
ἀλλ'
G235
but
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#20
ὡς
G5613
as
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
#21
ἐφ'
G1909
of
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#22
ἑνός
G1520
one
one
#23
Καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#24
τῷ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#25
σπέρματί
G4690
seed
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
#26
σου
G4675
to thy
of thee, thy
#27
ὅς
G3739
which
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
#28
ἐστιν
G2076
is
he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are
#29
Χριστός
G5547
Christ
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Analysis

The covenant theme here intersects with God's relationship with His people from Abraham through the new covenant. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of evolution from creation covenant through Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, to new covenant. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's relational commitment from Noah to the new covenant.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on covenant particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection