Definition: And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 17:8. It’s a really important passage about God’s relationship with humanity and establishing a new covenant. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse essentially says that God is going to give the entire land of Canaan (which was then part of the Middle East, now Israel) to his people – specifically, to their descendants – as a permanent and everlasting possession. It’s like saying, "We're giving you this land for our entire family to live on." Let's break it down word by word: “And I will give unto thee…” : This means God is giving something to someone. “…and to thy seed after thee” : This refers to all of God’s descendants – literally, "after you" – meaning all the people who would come from Abraham and his lineage. It's about extending this blessing beyond just one family. “the land wherein thou art a stranger…” : This is a crucial part. “Stranger” means someone who isn’t part of God’s family. It refers to the Israelites, who had been living in a foreign land (Egypt) for many years and were considered "strangers" to God. "...all the land of Canaan..." : This is the land that God wants to give to his people. Canaan was a region in the Middle East that included parts of modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. It's the area that later became the homeland of the Israelites. "...for an everlasting possession..." : This emphasizes how important this land is – it’s not just a temporary thing; it’s a permanent and lasting inheritance. “and I will be their God.” : This is the key part! God promises to be with his people, be with them forever, and that they will worship him as their God. It's a declaration of a new relationship – one where God isn’t just present, but actively involved in their lives. What it means overall: This verse establishes a covenant (a promise) between God and the Israelites. It's about establishing a relationship based on faithfulness, obedience, and a continuous blessing. It’s a foundational story that explains how God will establish his kingdom and how He will be with his people for generations to come. In short: God is giving the land of Canaan to his descendants as a permanent home and a way of being with them forever through worshiping him. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to other stories or biblical themes? Give you some historical context (like the story of the Exodus)?