The Promised Land in the Old Testament

Narratives of the promised land begin in Genesis 1-2. In the book 'The Temple and the Church's Mission', it is explained that the garden of Eden was the 'temple' and Adam was the 'high priest'.

In the ancient world, symbols of gods were placed in temples. Adam was the first image placed in the temple of Heaven. His mission was to rule over the whole earth with his descendants (Gen. 1:26-28). Adam and his descendants would expand the borders of Eden so that the glory of God could be seen throughout the world.

Expanding the Place of God's Presence

The task of Adam and Eve to multiply, lead their descendants, and populate the world was given to Noah, then to the Israelites. As a result, responsibility for Adam was given to Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites. The nation would represent humanity. This mission, which began with the ancestors, was coupled with a promise, but the Israelites did not succeed. The land of Israel came to be perceived as Israel's Garden of Eden (Gen. 13:10; Isa. 51:3; Ezek. 36:35; Joe. 2:3). This perception was further strengthened by lands flowing with milk and honey (Num. 13:26–27; Deut. 1:25; Neh. 9:25).

The key to understanding Israel's reason for expanding its territory lies in the fact that these lands encompass the earth's surface. Eden was not just a piece of land, it was the first tent (the place where God's presence was located) that Adam would expand. Similarly, the land of Israel would expand because at its center was the presence of God in the temple, the holy of holies. Chapter 19 of A New Testament Biblical Theology explains how the temple symbolizes the visible and invisible heaven and earth.

The purpose of the parable was to point to the end times when God's presence will emerge from the holy of holies and fill heaven and earth. Accordingly, God's presence emerges from the holy of holies, first in Jerusalem (Isa. 4:4–6; Jer. 3:16–17; Zech. 1:16–2:11) and then in the whole land of Israel (Ezek. 37: There are prophecies stating that it will cover the earth (25–28). It is very difficult to determine whether this expansion will occur through military means or peacefully. We can say that Israel established its sovereignty in the promised land by military means (Deut. 9:1; 11:23; 12:29; 18:14).

Universal Expansion Prophecies

Temple-land theology forms the basis of prophecies regarding the universal expansion of the land of Israel. Isaiah 26:15-19 prophecies about the final resurrection of the dead. Isaiah 26:15 says: “You have multiplied the nation, O LORD. Yes, you have multiplied the nation and been glorified. You have enlarged the borders of the land in every direction.'' This passage is also believed to be a reference to Genesis 1:28 (the commandment to multiply and fill the earth). Surprisingly, this expansion is directly related to Israel's recent resurgence.

The expansion of Israel's borders is not only limited to Isaiah 26:18-19, but is also clearly stated in 27:2-6. In this chapter, Israel is depicted as the 'vineyard' that God will protect and where peace will prevail. This vineyard will expand to cover the earth: "In the future the house of Jacob will take root, and Israel will sprout and blossom, filling the earth with its fruit" (Isa. 27:6).

The promises thus represent a major improvement from Genesis 1-2 in the expectations for the expansion of the land of Israel. In Genesis 12:3 it is declared that all peoples will be blessed. Genesis 13:16 continues: “I will multiply your descendants as much as the dust of the ground. So much so that if someone can count the dust of the ground, he will also be able to count your descendants.'' These explanations may be thought to be metaphorical. In other words, although the number of Israelites increases rapidly, they can remain in the promised land. However, it is more likely that the statements refer to a community that is too large to fit into the country.

Multiplying to Be Blessed

The same idea is implied by Genesis 15:5 (Can you count the stars? The more numerous your descendants will be) and Genesis 22:17 (I will bless you; I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens and the sand of the shores). Genesis 28:14 says, “You will have descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth. You will spread east, west, north, south. All the peoples of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants.”

The development of the promises in the Old Testament makes the universal aspect of these promises more likely. For example, Psalm 72:17 (Through him men will be blessed, and all nations will say, "Blessed is he") develops the promise of Genesis 22:18 (Through his seed all the nations of the earth will be blessed). The blessed one will reign to the ends of the earth.

The Lord says in Exodus 23:31, "I will expand your borders from the Sea of ​​Reeds to the Sea of ​​Philistia, and from the wilderness to the Euphrates River . " This is summarized in Genesis 15:18 as the land from the River Egypt to the great River Euphrates. Quoting Psalm 72:8, Zechariah 9:10 says, "His dominion will extend from sea to sea, from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth." Psalm 2 is similar to Psalm 72. In Psalm 2:8, the Lord says: "Ask me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession."

In Deuteronomy, 'to inherit' (nātan + naḥălâ) is a typical expression used in God's promise to give the land of Canaan to Israel (Deut. 4:21, 38; 12:9; 15:4; 19:10 ; 21:23; 24:4; 25:19; 26:1; 29:8). Similarly, 'inheritance' (ăḥuzzâ) means Israel's inheritance of the promised land (Gen. 17:8; Num. 32:32; Deut. 32:49).


The New Testament also refers to the promised land. Romans 4:13 says: “The promise to Abraham and his descendants to inherit the world was not given by the law, but by righteousness through faith.” Similar statements are Hebrews 11:8–16; It is found in Psalm 37:11 and Matthew 5:5. The promise of land will be fulfilled physically when all believers inherit the earth, but the beginning of this promise is primarily spiritual. The way the promises are fulfilled is related to the resurrection of Christ from the dead. The promises ultimately refer to Christ (Gal. 3:16). 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, "All the promises of God are yes in Christ."

These promises began spiritually and will be completed physically in the new creation. The Old Testament promise always had a spiritual dimension. Therefore, none of the references to the promised land in the Old Testament seem to relate to the return of modern-day Israel to the promised land. What is happening in Israel today is part of God's predetermined plan, but it is not related to the fulfillment of promises.

Adam and the Israelites failed to expand Eden throughout the world. But now this task lies with Christ and the church, the Last Adam and the true Israel.