Object. Abram could see but a little part of the land. Answ.
1. He might now possibly be upon a mountain, from whence he might have a large prospect every way.
2. He gave him all that he saw, but not only that, but also the rest of the land, and therefore he bids him walk through and view the whole land, Genesis 13:17. Quest. How was the land given to Abram, when it is expressly said: He, i.e. God, gave him none inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on, Acts 7:5. Answ.
1. God gave Abram the right to it, though not the actual possession of it, until the time that God appointed; as God gave the right of the kingdom to David, but not the possession till Saul's death.
2. God explains himself, To thee and to thy seed, i.e. to thee, that is, to thy seed, and that for thy sake; the particle and being put oft for that is, as 1 Chronicles 21:12, compared with 2 Samuel 24:13 Ephesians 1:3, and in many other plaecs, as we shall see. Quest. How was this for ever, when after some hundreds of years they were turned out of it? Answer.
1. This promise was made to them upon condition of their obedience, which is oft expressed in other places, as Leviticus 18:26 Deuteronomy 4:25,26 Isa 48:18,19.
2. The word olam, rendered for ever, doth not always signify eternity, but a long continuance, as is evident from Genesis 17:13, Genesis 48:4 Exodus 21:6 Psalms 132:14, and many other places of Scripture; and in particular, when it is applied to the Jewish rites and privileges, it commonly signifies no more than during the standing of that commonwealth, or until the coming of the Messias; and so it may here be understood.