Washington: The verse from Genesis 12:3, "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse," has become a touchstone for many American Evangelicals, transforming scripture into a perceived foreign policy mandate. This biblical passage is frequently cited on Capitol Hill and in pulpits across conservative regions of the United States to justify unwavering support for Israel, framing any deviation as a spiritual betrayal despite the constitutional separation of church and state.
According to TRTworld.com, the interpretation that Genesis 12:3 refers specifically to Israel can be traced back to the Scofield Reference Bible, published in 1909. The Bible's footnotes, rather than its actual text, connected the verse to Israel. Biblical scholars have long criticized this interpretation, arguing it was a stretch when first proposed and remains a misreading today. Jonathan Kuttab, co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, explains that the Scofield Bible's commentary predates the establishment of the State of Israel and thus cannot refer to it directly. Instead, it reflects Christian Zionist beliefs that foresee a gathering of Jews in Palestine leading to apocalyptic events.
Reverend Dr. Donald Wagner, a Presbyterian clergyman and Middle East analyst, supports this view, emphasizing that Genesis 12:3 describes a covenant with Abraham, not a modern political state. He clarifies that biblical covenants involve conditions such as adhering to commandments, and warns that deviation leads to losing the land. Gary Burge, a New Testament scholar, remarks that only a segment of US Evangelicals interpret the verse as supporting Israel, criticizing the argument for its historical and theological inaccuracies.
The narrow interpretation of identity in this context poses additional issues. The Torah distinguishes between the blessings of Ishmael, father of Arabs, and Isaac, yet many biblical prophets reject ethnic exclusivity as a basis for divine blessings. Burge highlights that relying on ethnic lines for spiritual inheritance is inconsistent with both Old and New Testament teachings.
The origins of this interpretation can be linked to Cyrus Scofield, whose reference Bible integrated fundamentalist Christian theology with Zionist aspirations. Despite his controversial past, Scofield's commentary significantly impacted American Evangelical views, embedding the Israel-Genesis connection in their consciousness. Reverend Wagner critiques this approach, noting that it promotes a militant view of prophecy inconsistent with Jesus' teachings.
Ultimately, Kuttab argues that the misinterpretation of Genesis 12:3 is driven by political, rather than theological motives, excluding Arabs and even Christians from being considered descendants of Abraham. This exclusion serves political agendas, overshadowing genuine religious discourse.
