God's Abundant Blessing: The Doubled Promise to Abraham's Seed

The Hebrew rhetorical device of doubling—"Blessing I will bless"—intensifies God's covenant commitment. Joseph Spurgeon's exegete William Gouge identified eight layers of meaning embedded in this construction:

First, doubling establishes certainty (betach—absolute assurance). Second, it denotes diligence, as when David says, "Escaping I shall escape" (1 Samuel 27:1). Third comes speed—urgent action. Fourth, abundance in giving: God does not measure His mercies by human stinginess. Fifth, success accomplished—when Saul tells David, "Doing thou shalt do, and prevailing thou shalt prevail" (1 Samuel 26:25), he means complete victory. Sixth, perfect completion: Solomon's declaration, "Building I have built Thee an house" (1 Kings 8:13), signals the temple's finished magnificence. Seventh, wonderful increase—"Multiplying I will multiply" echoes the Abrahamic covenant's fruitfulness. Eighth, long continuance: "Waiting, I have waited" (Psalm 40:1) expresses patient endurance.

Thus God's promise to Abraham and his seed represents abundant blessings—not pittance, but proportioned to Elohim's own greatness. The Almighty sets forth His magnificence through blessing the children of men. Who would not enlarge his heart and open his mouth in gratitude to such a Lord?