# Then God said to Abraham, “Because you were willing to give me everything, even your only son, I promise to bless you. Your descendants will be more than the stars in the sky. Because you have obeyed me, I will bless all the families of the world through your family.”

This is direct quotation. It can also be stated as an indirect quotation: “Then God said to Abraham that because Abraham was willing to give God everything, even his only son, he promised to bless him. His descendants will be more than the stars in the sky. Because Abraham had obeyed him, God would bless all the families of the world through Abraham’s family.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations]])

# your only son

See explanation in [05:08](05/08).

# the stars in the sky

See explanation in [04:08](04/08).

# all the families of the world

Here, **families** refers to the larger distinct groups of people on earth, rather than to each set of parents and children.

# your family

Here, **family** refers to the many descendants that Abraham would have. The future generations of the world would be blessed through Abraham’s descendants. The greatest blessing would come many generations later through God’s chosen servant, the Messiah.

# A Bible story from

These references may be slightly different in some Bible translations.