V. 18.— That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. That by two immutable things, the promise and the oath of God, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge [The word refuge is not in the original. It is, literally, Who have fled away to lay hold. Probably the appointment of the cities of refuge— to which, indeed, there appears to be a reference, Numbers 35:11-12— has led our translators to the insertion of the word.] to the hope set before us might have strong consolation. The promise of God, which He confirmed by an oath to Abraham, is, that He would bless and multiply him. This was, no doubt, most satisfactory to the patriarch; but, although the promise may be considered to include the heirs of promise, they are not specifically mentioned, which may be accounted for by the Apostle directing the attention of the Hebrews to the promise, by quoting a part of it, and leaving them to supply the rest from the book of Genesis, in which the heirs of promise are particularly mentioned. “ And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:18. So that the promise was confirmed to them as well as to their father Abraham.