Gen 22:17-18, 26:4, 28:14 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 17. Shall possess the gate of his enemies ] Instead of gate the Septuagint have πολεις, cities; but as there is a very near resemblance between πολεισ, cities , and πυλασ, gates , the latter might have been the original reading in the Septuagint, though none of the MSS. now acknowledge it. By the gates may be meant all the strength, whether troops, counsels, or fortified cities of their enemies. So : On this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it -the counsels, stratagems, and powers of darkness shall not be able to prevail against or overthrow the true Church of Christ; and possibly our Lord had this promise to Abraham and his spiritual posterity in view, when he spoke these words.

‏ Genesis 22:17-18

Verse 17. Shall possess the gate of his enemies] Instead of gate the Septuagint have πολεις, cities; but as there is a very near resemblance between πολεισ, cities, and πυλασ, gates, the latter might have been the original reading in the Septuagint, though none of the MSS. now acknowledge it. By the gates may be meant all the strength, whether troops, counsels, or fortified cities of their enemies. So Mt 16:18: On this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it-the counsels, stratagems, and powers of darkness shall not be able to prevail against or overthrow the true Church of Christ; and possibly our Lord had this promise to Abraham and his spiritual posterity in view, when he spoke these words.

Verse 18. And in thy seed, &c.] We have the authority of St. Paul, Ga 3:8,16,18, to restrain this to our blessed Lord, who was THE SEED through whom alone all God's blessings of providence, mercy, grace, and glory, should be conveyed to the nations of the earth.

‏ Genesis 26:4

Verse 4. I will make thy seed-as the stars of heaven] A promise often repeated to Abraham, and which has been most amply fulfilled both in its literal and spiritual sense.

‏ Genesis 28:14

Verse 14. Thy seed shall be as the dust] The people that shall descend from thee shall be extremely numerous, and in thee and thy seed-the Lord JESUS descending from thee, according to the flesh, shall all the families of the earth-not only all of thy race, but all the other families or tribes of mankind which have not proceeded from any branch of the Abrahamic family, be blessed; for Jesus Christ by the grace of God tasted death FOR EVERY MAN, Heb 2:9.