The Narrow Path Ministries

I would like ask if someone knows the cross reference for this verse

(Galatians 3:16) in the Old Testament.

Hi Paul,

My Bible has these verses for cross reference:

Genesis 12:7; 13:15; 24:7

Thanks for the x-references .

What I don't understand is why Paul said in Galatians 3:16 the following:

Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many,..............
but it is clear in the cross references such as in Genesis 12:7 (Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land).

Paul was saying that the promises was given to the seed which is singular but Moses wrote that the promises was given to the descendants which is plural. Does anyone have an explanation for this.

Paul,

The Hebrew word used in Gen. 12:7 is "zera" which is best translated "seed". But this can mean a single descendant or offspring or it can mean many or all of ones "descendants". The translation you are using to read the OT texts has chosen to "interpret" the word "zera" as "descendants", where (based on Paul's explanation in Gal. 3:16) "seed" might have been a better choice of words.

I hope this helps.

God Bless,

Mike

Your explanation makes sense MDH. Thanks..........

I think Paul said if you are in Christ then you are Abraham's seed.