Bible passage: Genesis 15:18
Prophet: Abraham
Written: As early as 1400 BC
The Bible's book of Genesis explains that about 4000 years ago, the Lord found a man who had strong faith. That man's name was Abraham. In Genesis 12:1-3, the Lord calls out to Abraham and chooses to reward him. In Genesis 15:18, the Lord said that Abraham's descendants would have their own country, and that this country would be between the river of Egypt and the Euphrates River. (People sometimes call this the Promised Land.)
Genesis also explains that this promise of land to the descendants of Abraham was inherited by Abraham's son, Isaac, and then by Abraham's grandson, Jacob. Jacob is the father of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
This prophecy of nationhood has been fulfilled about 3400 years ago, the Hebrew descendants of Abraham first established Israel. The Bible's book of Joshua explains how Joshua led the Israelites into the land that had been promised to them, as descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and established the nation of Israel.
The nation of Israel was later divided into two kingdoms, called Judah and Israel, about 2900 years ago. The kingdom of Israel lost its independence when it was conquered by Assyria about 2700 years ago. Judah lost its independence about 2600 years ago when it was conquered by Babylon.
Then, about 2000 years ago, the Romans scattered the Jews (or Israelites, or Hebrews) throughout the Roman Empire.
Starting in the late 1800s, many Jews from around the world began returning in large numbers to the land of Israel. In 1948, independence was declared for a modern state of Israel.
- Research and commentary is based on the book 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies. © Ray Konig and AboutBibleProphecy.com.
Here is Genesis 15:18:
On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river[1] of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates--
NIV Footnote: [1] Or Wadi
(New International Version translation)