Genesis 35 12

Genesis 35:12 kjv

And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.

Genesis 35:12 nkjv

The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land."

Genesis 35:12 niv

The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you."

Genesis 35:12 esv

The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you."

Genesis 35:12 nlt

And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you."

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 12 meaning

Genesis 35:12 reiterates God's covenantal promise to Jacob (now called Israel) concerning the land of Canaan. It affirms that the same land given to Abraham and Isaac will be bestowed upon Jacob and his countless descendants. This verse underscores the divine continuity, faithfulness, and permanence of God's land covenant across generations, establishing the physical inheritance of the nation of Israel.

Genesis 35 12 Context

Genesis 35:12 occurs at a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. He has just returned to Bethel, the place where God first appeared to him as he fled from Esau (Gen 28). God appears to Jacob again (Gen 35:9-13) and reaffirms His covenant promises, including Jacob's new name, "Israel" (Gen 35:10), the promise of nationhood and kings (Gen 35:11), and crucially, the promise of the land that was given to Abraham and Isaac. This reaffirmation follows several significant events: Jacob's difficult return journey, his confrontation and reconciliation with Esau, the traumatic events at Shechem, and the command from God to cleanse his household of foreign gods and go to Bethel. By reiterating the land promise after bestowing the name "Israel" and before the impending death of Rachel and birth of Benjamin, God firmly grounds Jacob's future, and the future of his descendants as a nation, within the context of His ancient, unchanging covenant, assuring divine purpose and inheritance despite Jacob's many trials.

Genesis 35 12 Word analysis

• The land (הָאָ֣רֶץ ha'aretz):

  • Specific term for a particular geographical area, Canaan.
  • Signifies a physical possession, crucial for national identity and security in the ancient Near East.
  • More than mere territory; it represents God's designated place for His chosen people to dwell securely and prosper under His blessing.
  • Connects to the broader theological concept of "rest" and divine presence.

• which I gave (אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֜תִּי asher natati):

  • "Gave" (נָתַתִּי natati) is perfect tense in Hebrew, implying a completed action. God considers it already done, emphasizing the certainty and unilateral nature of His divine grant.
  • Highlights God's absolute sovereignty and ownership; He is the giver of the land, not merely one who helps acquire it.
  • Rejects any notion that the land was earned or conquered by human strength alone.

• Abraham and Isaac:

  • Establishes the lineal and covenantal continuity.
  • Confirms Jacob as the legitimate heir in the Abrahamic covenant line.
  • Reinforces the faithfulness of God across generations; His promises are reliable.
  • Challenges cultural ideas where promises might not always pass down automatically or without question.

• I will give to you (אֶתְּנֶ֖נָּה לָ֑ךְ ett'nenah lach):

  • "Will give" (אֶתְּנֶנָּה ett'nenah) is imperfect tense, denoting future action. This confirms the direct and personal transfer of the promise to Jacob himself.
  • The repetition from "I gave" (past) to "I will give" (future) underscores certainty from both divine perspective and human experience.

• and to your offspring after you (וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֖ אַחֲרֶ֥יךָ ul'zarkha achareikha):

  • "Offspring" (זֶרַע zera) translates as "seed" or "descendant." It refers collectively to Jacob's numerous descendants.
  • This expands the scope of the promise from Jacob as an individual to the burgeoning nation of Israel.
  • Highlights the generational nature of the covenant and God's plan for a multitude.

• I will give the land (אֶתֵּ֥ן אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ etten et-ha'aretz):

  • Repetition of "I will give the land" at the end emphasizes the centrality and unwavering certainty of the land promise.
  • It serves as a strong concluding statement, imprinting the promise firmly on Jacob's mind.
  • This promise encompasses not only the physical land but also the blessings and responsibilities that come with it.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac": This phrase meticulously links Jacob to the ancestral promise. It authenticates Jacob's inheritance not as a new promise, but as a direct continuation and confirmation of the long-standing divine covenant. It demonstrates God's consistent plan.
  • "I will give to you, and to your offspring after you I will give the land": This powerful declaration focuses on both immediate and future fulfillment. "To you" assures Jacob personally, while "to your offspring after you" expands the promise to the collective nation. The emphatic double statement of "I will give the land" serves as a divine guarantee of future possession, even if full occupation would not occur for centuries. It showcases the breadth and depth of God's generational faithfulness.

Genesis 35 12 Bonus section

The land promise in Gen 35:12 carries strong anti-polemical implications against the ancient Near Eastern polytheistic belief systems. In those cultures, deities were often localized, and land possession was frequently attributed to the strength of human rulers or the capricious will of multiple gods. Here, the one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob/Israel, is explicitly presented as the sovereign giver and owner of the land, demonstrating His unique power and absolute authority over territory and human destiny. It asserts that the land is not obtained by mere conquest or through appealing to various local spirits, but by a divine, unwavering, and eternal grant from the Creator Himself. This foundational promise serves as a blueprint for Israel's future, intertwining their national identity and destiny inextricably with this divine gift of the land, foreshadowing their eventual return and establishment in Canaan as the fulfillment of this sacred oath.

Genesis 35 12 Commentary

Genesis 35:12 is a powerful affirmation of God's covenantal faithfulness at a crucial juncture in Jacob's life. Following a turbulent period marked by family strife and geographical displacement, God once again appears to Jacob, solidifying his new identity as "Israel" and re-committing the ancestral land promise. The emphasis on God having "given" it to Abraham and Isaac (past tense) before affirming He "will give" it to Jacob and his descendants (future tense) highlights the eternal security and unilateral nature of the covenant. God's ownership and gifting of the land are paramount, overriding any human effort or perceived worthiness. This verse is not just about real estate; it is a foundational pillar for Israel's identity as God's chosen people, providing assurance of a homeland where they could dwell under divine protection, develop into a nation, and experience God's blessing. It serves as a reminder that God's plan for Israel, though long in its unfolding, is sure and will come to pass.