Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 8. Everlasting possession] Here µlw[ olam appears to be used in its accommodated meaning, and signifies the completion of the Divine counsel in reference to a particular period or dispensation. And it is literally true that the Israelites possessed the land of Canaan till the Mosaic dispensation was terminated in the complete introduction of that of the Gospel. But as the spiritual and temporal covenants are both blended together, and the former was pointed out and typified by the latter, hence the word even here may be taken in its own proper meaning, that of ever- during, or eternal; because the spiritual blessings pointed out by the temporal covenant shall have no end. And hence it is immediately added, I will be their God, not for a time, certainly, but for ever and ever.See the note on ""chap. xxi. 33"".
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-14 - The covenant of grace is from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the consequences of it. The token of the covenant wa circumcision. It is here said to be the covenant which Abraham and his seed must keep. Those who will have the Lord to be to them a God, mus resolve to be to him a people. Not only Abraham and Isaac, and his posterity by Isaac, were to be circumcised, but also Ishmael and the bond-servants. It sealed not only the covenant of the land of Canaan to Isaac's posterity, but of heaven, through Christ, to the whole churc of God. The outward sign is for the visible church; the inward seal of the Spirit is peculiar to those whom God knows to be believers, and he alone can know them. The religious observance of this institution wa required, under a very severe penalty. It is dangerous to make light of Divine institutions, and to live in the neglect of them. The covenan in question was one that involved great blessings for the world in all future ages. Even the blessedness of Abraham himself, and all the rewards conferred upon him, were for Christ's sake. Abraham wa justified, as we have seen, not by his own righteousness, but by fait in the promised Messiah.
Original Hebrew ונתתי5414 לך ולזרעך2233 אחריך310 את853 ארץ776 מגריך4033 את853 כל3605 ארץ776 כנען3667 לאחזת272 עולם5769 והייתי1961 להם לאלהים׃430
