Problem: Paul quotes Genesis 22:18 in his letter to the Galatians. He writes, “God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say ‘to his children,’ as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says ‘to his child’—and that, of course, means Christ” (Gal. 3:16 NLT). Paul takes notice of the fact that Genesis 22:18 refers to the singular child (or “seed”) of Abraham, rather than the plural children. However, critics notice that “seed” in the Hebrew was a collective singular noun. That is, even though it is singular, it refers to the entirety of Abraham’s offspring—not a singular person.
Solution: In the original Hebrew language, the “seed” was indeed a collective singular noun, which referred to the nation as a whole. However, we do have warrant for believing that Paul’s messianic interpretation is correct in Galatians 3:16.
First, in its original context, this prophecy was fulfilled in the single person of Isaac—not multiple offspring.
Second, a later psalmist claims that worldwide blessing will be given through a singular king. Psalm 72:17 states, “May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun shines. May all nations be blessed through him and bring him praise.” We see a similar interpretation in Psalm 89. There, the psalmist comments on 2 Samuel 7:12, and he continually uses the singular noun to refer to David’s descendants (Ps 89:4, 29, 36). Therefore, these later psalmists held the same interpretation as Paul.
Third, note the future tense in Genesis 22:14 (“In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.”). This demonstrates that a future fulfillment was still in order, which wasn’t accomplished by Isaac.
Fourth, all of the similarities previously mentioned must have been on Paul’s mind, when he quoted verse 18. Therefore, the prophetic value of this passage is entirely warranted.
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
(Gal 3:16)”
