Definition: And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 32:12. It’s a really fascinating and somewhat symbolic passage about Jacob’s dream! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes Jacob’s incredibly vivid dream – a dream where he was offered a choice between three men. He chose to follow one of them, and that man then gave him amazing gifts and power. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.” This is where it gets interesting. Jacob says, “I promise to help you!” He’s promising to give his people a huge inheritance and prosperity. “As the sand of the sea...” This is a really important comparison. The "sand of the sea" isn't actually sand; it’s a metaphor for an endless, boundless quantity. It represents something incredibly large and plentiful – like the entire world! "...which cannot be numbered for multitude." This reinforces the idea of an enormous quantity. It suggests that this inheritance is so vast that it’s impossible to count all of it. Think about how many people live on Earth! What's the Big Picture? This verse is often interpreted as a promise of great blessings and prosperity for Jacob’s descendants. It symbolizes an abundant future filled with wealth, power, and a large family. Important Note: It's a symbolic dream, not a literal account of what happened. The point is to illustrate the immense potential and abundance that God offers through his promises. Do you want me to delve deeper into any specific aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism of the "sand of the sea"? Its connection to Jacob’s later life and his family? How it relates to the story of Joseph and his dream?