In the biblical context, the term "offspring" refers to descendants or progeny, often highlighting the continuation of a family line or the fulfillment of divine promises. The concept of offspring is significant throughout the Scriptures, as it is closely tied to God's covenants, blessings, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan.

Old Testament References

1. Creation and the First Offspring: The narrative of creation in Genesis establishes the importance of offspring from the very beginning. God commands Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). This command underscores the divine intention for human beings to produce offspring and populate the earth.

2. The Promise to Abraham: One of the most pivotal promises concerning offspring is found in God's covenant with Abraham. The Lord assures Abraham, "Look now at the heavens and count the stars, if you are able. Then He declared, 'So shall your offspring be'" (Genesis 15:5). This promise not only pertains to the physical descendants of Abraham but also foreshadows the spiritual offspring through faith.

3. The Seed of the Woman: In Genesis 3:15, God speaks of the "offspring" of the woman who will crush the serpent's head, a prophecy often interpreted as the first messianic promise. This offspring is understood to be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who triumphs over sin and Satan.

4. The Lineage of David: The promise of a royal offspring is central to the Davidic covenant. God promises David, "I will raise up your offspring after you, who will come forth from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom" (2 Samuel 7:12). This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of David, whose kingdom is everlasting.

New Testament Fulfillment

1. Jesus Christ as the Promised Offspring: The New Testament identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises made to the patriarchs concerning their offspring. In Galatians 3:16, Paul writes, "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, 'and to seeds,' meaning many, but 'and to your seed,' meaning One, who is Christ" . Jesus is the ultimate offspring through whom all nations are blessed.

2. Spiritual Offspring: The concept of offspring extends beyond physical lineage to include spiritual descendants. Believers in Christ are considered Abraham's offspring through faith. Galatians 3:29 states, "And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise" . This spiritual offspring inherits the blessings promised to Abraham.

3. The Church as Offspring: The Church, as the body of Christ, is seen as the offspring of the new covenant. Believers are born again through the Spirit, becoming children of God and co-heirs with Christ. This spiritual rebirth is a key theme in the New Testament, emphasizing the transformative power of the Gospel.

Theological Significance

The theme of offspring in the Bible highlights God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises across generations. It underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The concept also emphasizes the importance of faith and spiritual heritage, as believers are grafted into the family of God, becoming part of the eternal lineage through Christ.2233. zera -- a sowing, seed, offspring
... 2232, 2233. zera. 2234 . a sowing, seed, offspring. Transliteration: zera
Phonetic Spelling: (zeh'-rah) Short Definition: descendants. ...
/hebrew/2233.htm - 6k

Micah 6:6-9
... upon the altar bleed? Does justice nobler blood demand. to save the sinner's life?
Shall, trembling, in his offspring's side. the father plunge the knife? ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/31 micah 6 6-9.htm

Whether Simple Fornication is a Mortal Sin?
... Now simple fornication implies an inordinateness that tends to injure the
life of the offspring to be born of this union. For we ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether simple fornication is a.htm

Chapter xxx
... Rachel, the well-beloved, finds her secure position less satisfactory than it once
was. Desire for offspring is a healthy and a natural desire. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Concubinage, for offspring's sake unlawful, [904]406; was lawful among the ancient
fathers, [905]406; lawfulness of a certain kind of, doubtful, [906]407. ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Book vii. This is the Seventh Book of Our Treatise against the ...
... He is not a segment cut off, and so incomplete, but an Offspring born, and therefore
perfect; for birth involves no diminution of the Begetter, and has the ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book vii this is the.htm

Offspring's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Offspring's (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 59:21 And as
for me, this is my agreement with them, says the Lord: my ...
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Off-times (1 Occurrence)
Off-times. Offspring's, Off-times. Oft . Multi-Version Concordance Off-times
(1 Occurrence). ... (ASV). Offspring's, Off-times. Oft . Reference Bible.
/o/off-times.htm - 6k

Offsprings (1 Occurrence)

/o/offsprings.htm - 6k

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