Genesis 21:12
“in Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
King James Version
God's word that Abraham's covenant seed would be reckoned through Isaac — applied by Paul to the children of promise and by Hebrews to the resurrection hope.
Fulfillment References
Romans 9:7 Hebrews 11:18 Galatians 4:28 Genesis 17:19
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalThe seed 'called in Isaac' culminates in Jesus; believers, like Isaac, are children of promise born of the Spirit (Gal. 4:28-29).
JewishThe covenant line runs through Isaac, not Ishmael — foundational to the election of Israel.
CatholicPaul reads the children of promise (in Isaac) as those born of the Spirit, fulfilled in Christ.
ProtestantRomans 9:7 uses this to distinguish the children of promise from mere physical descent; the line culminates in Christ.
OrthodoxThe covenant seed through Isaac, the line of promise leading to the Messiah.
DispensationalThe covenant line through Isaac, preserving the Messianic promise.
AcademicAn election motif distinguishing the patriarchal line; the NT reuses it typologically for the promise/flesh distinction.
Open the full interactive entry →
Cross-references, Hebrew/Greek, Dead Sea Scrolls notes, study tools and multi-tradition analysis in the interactive explorer.
Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.