Genesis 13:16

13:16 And I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone is able to count the dust of the earth, then your descendants also can be counted. ¹ 

Genesis 22:17

22:17 I will indeed bless you, ²  and I will greatly multiply ³  your descendants ⁴  so that they will be as countless as the stars in the sky or the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession ⁵  of the strongholds ⁶  of their enemies.

Genesis 28:14

28:14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, ⁷  and you will spread out ⁸  to the west, east, north, and south. All the families of the earth will pronounce blessings on one another ⁹  using your name and that of your descendants. ¹⁰ 

¹ tn The translation “can be counted” (potential imperfect) is suggested by the use of יוּכַל (yukhal, “is able”) in the preceding clause.

² tn The use of the infinitive absolute before the finite verbal form (either an imperfect or cohortative) emphasizes the certainty of the blessing.

³ tn Here too the infinitive absolute is used for emphasis before the following finite verb (either an imperfect or cohortative).

⁴ tn The Hebrew term זֶרַע (zera’) occurring here and in v. 18 may mean “seed” (for planting), “offspring” (occasionally of animals, but usually of people), or “descendants” depending on the context.

⁵ tn Or “inherit.”

⁶ tn Heb “gate,” which here stands for a walled city. To break through the gate complex would be to conquer the city, for the gate complex was the main area of defense (hence the translation “stronghold”).

⁷ tn This is the same Hebrew word translated “ground” in the preceding verse.

⁸ tn The verb is singular in the Hebrew; Jacob is addressed as the representative of his descendants.

⁹ tn Theoretically the Niphal stem can be translated either as passive or reflexive/reciprocal. (The Niphal of “bless” is only used in formulations of the Abrahamic covenant. See Gen 12:2; 18:18; 28:14.) Traditionally the verb is taken as passive here, as if Jacob were going to be a channel or source of blessing. But in other formulations of the Abrahamic covenant (see Gen 22:18; 26:4) the Hitpael replaces this Niphal form, suggesting a translation “will bless (i.e., pronounce blessings upon) themselves/one another.” The Hitpael of “bless” is used with a reflexive/reciprocal sense in Deut 29:18; Ps 72:17; Isa 65:16; Jer 4:2. Gen 28:14 predicts that Jacob will be held up as a paradigm of divine blessing and that people will use his name in their blessing formulae (see Gen 12:2 and 18:18 as well, where Abram/Abraham receives this promise). For examples of blessing formulae utilizing an individual as an example of blessing see Gen 48:20 and Ruth 4:11.

¹⁰ tn Heb “and they will pronounce blessings by you, all the families of the earth, and by your offspring.”