Genesis 28:14

Authorized King James Version

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְהָיָ֤ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

וּבְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃

H2233

And thy seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

כַּֽעֲפַ֣ר

H6083

shall be as the dust

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

הָאָ֔רֶץ

H776

of the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּפָֽרַצְתָּ֛

H6555

and thou shalt spread abroad

to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)

יָ֥מָּה

H3220

to the west

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וָקֵ֖דְמָה

H6924

and to the east

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

וְצָפֹ֣נָה

H6828

and to the north

properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)

וָנֶ֑גְבָּה

H5045

and to the south

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

#10

וְנִבְרֲכ֥וּ

H1288

be blessed

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

#11

בְךָ֛

#12

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#13

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת

H4940

shall all the families

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

#14

הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה

H127

of the earth

soil (from its general redness)

#15

וּבְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃

H2233

And thy seed

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

Analysis

This verse develops the creation and providence theme central to Genesis. The concept of divine revelation reflects God's absolute sovereignty over all existence. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to foundational narrative establishing God's relationship with creation and humanity, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence 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

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of the progressive revelation of God's purposes throughout Scripture, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 28 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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