Genesis 28:14
Genesis 28:14 in Multiple Translations
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Your seed will be like the dust of the earth, covering all the land to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south: you and your seed will be a name of blessing to all the families of the earth.
Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth, and will spread out west and east, and north and south. Everyone on earth will be blessed by your descendants.
And thy seede shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the West, and to the East, and to the North, and to the South, and in thee and in thy seede shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
and thy seed hath been as the dust of the land, and thou hast broken forth westward, and eastward, and northward, and southward, and all families of the ground have been blessed in thee and in thy seed.
Your offspring will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your offspring, all the families of the earth will be blessed.
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth: thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and IN THEE and thy seed all the tribes of the earth SHALL BE BLESSED.
Your descendants will be as numerous as the particles of dirt that are on the earth, and their territory will be very large. It will extend in all directions, to the east and to the west, to the north and to the south. And people of all people-groups on earth will receive blessings because of what happens to you and to your descendants.
Lots of people will be born into your family, and they will become a really big mob of people. There will be lots and lots of them, just like there are lots of little bits of dirt on the ground. And those people in your family, they will spread out a long way, and they will live in lots of different places. Some of them will go west, some of them will go east, some of them will go north, and some of them will go south. And I will use your family to do good things for all the families in the world.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 28:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 28:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
זַרְעֲ/ךָ֙
כַּ/עֲפַ֣ר
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
וּ/פָרַצְתָּ֛
יָ֥מָּ/ה
וָ/קֵ֖דְמָ/ה
וְ/צָפֹ֣נָ/ה
וָ/נֶ֑גְבָּ/ה
וְ/נִבְרֲכ֥וּ
בְ/ךָ֛
כָּל
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה
וּ/בְ/זַרְעֶֽ/ךָ
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
זַרְעֲ/ךָ֙
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
N-ms | Suff
כַּ/עֲפַ֣ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
dust
Prep | N-ms
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
וּ/פָרַצְתָּ֛
pârats
H6555
to break through
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
יָ֥מָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
West
N-ms | Suff
וָ/קֵ֖דְמָ/ה
qedem
H6924
front
Conj | N-ms | Suff
וְ/צָפֹ֣נָ/ה
tsâphôwn
H6828
Zaphon
Conj | N-fs | Suff
וָ/נֶ֑גְבָּ/ה
negeb
H5045
Negeb
Conj | N-ms | Suff
וְ/נִבְרֲכ֥וּ
bârak
H1288
to bless
Conj | V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
בְ/ךָ֛
Prep | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fp
הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה
ʼădâmâh
H127
land
Art | N-fs
וּ/בְ/זַרְעֶֽ/ךָ
zeraʻ
H2233
seed
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 28:14
וְ/הָיָ֤ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
זַרְעֲ/ךָ֙
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
כַּ/עֲפַ֣ר
ʻâphâr
H6083
"dust"
Prep | N-ms
Aphar means dust or dry earth, and is also used to describe clay, earth, or mortar. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) dry earth, dust, powder, ashes, earth, ground, mortar, rubbish 1a) dry or loose earth 1b) debris 1c) mortar 1d) ore
Usage: Occurs in 103 OT verses. KJV: ashes, dust, earth, ground, morter, powder, rubbish. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 28:6; Psalms 7:6.
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וּ/פָרַצְתָּ֛
pârats
H6555
"to break through"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
To break through means to burst out or force one's way, like when a baby is born or a wall is broken down. This word is used in many situations, like when God breaks through to help someone or when a crowd breaks out in violence.
Definition: 1) to break through or down or over, burst, breach 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to break or burst out (from womb or enclosure) 1a2) to break through or down, make a breach in 1a3) to break into 1a4) to break open 1a5) to break up, break in pieces 1a6) to break out (violently) upon 1a7) to break over (limits), increase 1a8) to use violence 1a9) to burst open 1a10) to spread, distribute 1b) (Niphal) to be broken through 1c) (Pual) to be broken down 1d) (Hithpael) to break away
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abroad, (make a) breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out, come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open, press, scatter, urge. See also: Genesis 28:14; 2 Chronicles 25:23; Psalms 60:3.
יָ֥מָּ/ה
yâm
H3220
"West"
N-ms | Suff
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
וָ/קֵ֖דְמָ/ה
qedem
H6924
"front"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
The front or east direction, often used to describe a location or time, such as in the book of Ezekiel where it describes the direction of the temple. It can also mean something is ancient or from the past, like the stories in Genesis.
Definition: : east 1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime 1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East 1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time 1c) anciently, of old (adverb) 1d) beginning 1e) east
Usage: Occurs in 83 OT verses. KJV: aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, [idiom] ever(-lasting), forward, old, past. Compare H6926 (קִדְמָה). See also: Genesis 2:8; Nehemiah 12:46; Psalms 44:2.
וְ/צָפֹ֣נָ/ה
tsâphôwn
H6828
"Zaphon"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
This word means 'north' and is used to describe a direction or location. In the Bible, it is often translated as 'north' or 'northern side'.
Definition: This name means north Also named: tsa.phon (צָפוֹן "Zaphon" H6829)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). See also: Genesis 13:14; Jeremiah 6:22; Psalms 48:3.
וָ/נֶ֑גְבָּ/ה
negeb
H5045
"Negeb"
Conj | N-ms | Suff
The Negeb is the southern district of Judah, also known as the south country, and can occasionally refer to Egypt, which is south of Palestine.
Definition: region of southern Judah Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H) This name means south-country
Usage: Occurs in 97 OT verses. KJV: south (country, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 12:9; 1 Samuel 14:5; Psalms 126:4.
וְ/נִבְרֲכ֥וּ
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
Conj | V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
בְ/ךָ֛
""
Prep | Suff
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fp
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הָ/אֲדָמָ֖ה
ʼădâmâh
H127
"land"
Art | N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
וּ/בְ/זַרְעֶֽ/ךָ
zeraʻ
H2233
"seed"
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.
Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.
Study Notes — Genesis 28:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 28:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 28:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 28:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 28:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
- Sermons on Genesis 28:14
Context — Jacob’s Ladder
12And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.
13And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.
14Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.
15Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” 16When Jacob woke up, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 12:3 | I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you. ” |
| 2 | Acts 3:25 | And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.’ |
| 3 | Genesis 18:18 | Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. |
| 4 | Genesis 26:4 | I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, |
| 5 | Genesis 13:16 | I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. |
| 6 | Genesis 22:18 | And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” |
| 7 | Galatians 3:8 | The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” |
| 8 | Genesis 13:14 | After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, |
| 9 | Galatians 3:16 | The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. |
| 10 | Revelation 7:9 | After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. |
Genesis 28:14 Summary
[This verse is a promise from God to Jacob that his family will grow and spread out to cover the whole earth, bringing blessing to all people, just like God promised to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. This promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who brings salvation and blessing to all nations. As a follower of Jesus, I am part of this family and called to spread the blessing of salvation to those around me, as seen in Matthew 28:18-20. By trusting in God's promises and sharing the gospel, I can be a part of fulfilling this promise and bringing blessing to the world.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for Jacob's descendants to be like the dust of the earth?
This phrase is a promise of numerous descendants, as dust is countless and widespread, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 13:16 and reiterated in Genesis 22:17.
How will all the families of the earth be blessed through Jacob and his offspring?
This is a reference to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would bring salvation and blessing to all nations, as prophesied in Isaiah 49:6 and fulfilled in Acts 3:25-26.
What is the significance of the four directions mentioned in this verse?
The four directions, west, east, north, and south, represent the entirety of the world, indicating that Jacob's descendants would spread out and inhabit the whole earth, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:17 and Psalm 2:8.
How does this verse relate to God's covenant with Abraham?
This verse is a reaffirmation of the covenant promises made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 17:4-6, which included the promise of numerous descendants and blessing to all nations through him.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to be a part of the family of God, and how can I spread the blessing of salvation to those around me?
- How can I trust in God's promise to be with me and bless me, even when I face uncertainty or difficulty?
- What are some ways that I can be a blessing to my community and the world around me, as Jacob's descendants were called to be?
- How does the promise of numerous descendants and worldwide influence encourage me to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 28:14
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth,.... Innumerable, see Genesis 13:16; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west; or "the sea", the Mediterranean sea, which was west of the land of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 28:14
And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
i.e. The nations of the earth, as that word is used.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.Ver. 14, 15. And thy seed shall be as the dust.] Against his fourfold cross, here is a fourfold comfort, as Pererius well observeth, a plaster as broad as the sore, and sovereign for it. (1.) Against the loss of his friends, "I will be with thee": (2.) Of his country; "I will give thee this land": (3.) Against his poverty; "Thou shalt spread abroad, to the east, west," &c. (4.) His solitariness and aloneness; angels shall attend thee, and "thy seed shall be as the dust," &c. And "who can count the dust of Jacob?" saith Balaam, that spellman of the devil, as one calls him. Whereunto we may add that which surpasseth and comprehendeth all the rest; "In thee, and thy seed, shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Now whatsoever God spake here with Jacob, he spake with us, as well as with him, saith Hosea.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 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, Hebrews 2:9.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 28:14
14. as the dust of the earth] Cf. Genesis 13:16. spread abroad] Heb. break forth. Cf. Genesis 30:30, “increased,” 43, Exodus 1:12. to the west] Cf. Genesis 13:14. in thee … be blessed] See note on Genesis 12:3.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 28:14
14. Thy seed shall be as the dust — Comp. Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 13:16; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 22:17-18.
Sermons on Genesis 28:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Jacob's Ladder by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson explores the life of Jacob, a flawed yet beloved figure in the Old Testament, who deceived his brother Esau to obtain his birthright and blessing. Despite Jacob's m |
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Synopsis of the Books of the Bible - Genesis by John Nelson Darby | John Nelson Darby explores the foundational themes of Genesis, emphasizing its unique character as the beginning of the Bible and the introduction of key principles regarding God's |
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Obtain the Divine Blessing by Clement of Rome | Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of faith and righteousness in receiving God's blessings by reflecting on the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham was blessed for h |
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Even More on God's Promises and God's Law by Bob Hoekstra | Bob Hoekstra delves into the promises God made to Abraham, emphasizing that these blessings were not dependent on following the law or circumcision, but on having faith in God's ri |
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God Accomplishes His Purpose by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that despite Jacob's deceitful nature, God had a divine purpose for him, showcasing God's unwavering love and commitment to fulfill His promises. As Jaco |
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Broken Yet Loved Deeply by God by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson explores the life of Jacob, a man marked by deception and manipulation, yet profoundly loved by God. Despite Jacob's wrongdoings, God chose to bless him, demonstrat |
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Both And-Not Either or (Basis for Missions - Part 5) by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker addresses a group of people and asks them if they have ever been lost. Only four people raise their hands. The speaker then points out that according to |