How numerous did God promise to make Abraham's seed?
God promised to make Abraham’s seed as numerous as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust, then his seed could also be numbered. He further promised to multiply them as the sand of the sea in numbers, indicating an innumerable multitude.
Les explains that this promise to Abraham is earthly, not heavenly. God told Abraham to lift his eyes and look northward, southward, eastward, and westward, for all the land he saw would be given to him and to his seed forever. God said He would make Abraham’s seed as the dust of the earth—so that if a man could number the dust, then his seed could also be numbered. Later God said He would multiply Abraham as the sand of the sea in numbers. This refers to people, not angels, and points to the nation of Israel and a geographical area of land on the eastern end of the Mediterranean. The promise also included that all families of the earth would be blessed. Thus the seed would be innumerable, like dust and sand.
And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
More Questions
Is God's promise to Abraham about his descendants a single promise or a twofold promise?
The promise to Abraham about his descendants is a twofold promise, involving two completely different realms, not one.