“On that day, the Lord established a covenant with Abram, saying” – Rabbi Yudan [said]: Rabban Yoḥanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Akiva, one said: He told him about this world98The events that would take place through history, namely, the subjugation of the Four Kingdoms. but He did not tell him about the World to Come. Another said: He told him about this world and the World to Come. Rabbi Berekhya, saying [in the name of] Rabbi Elazar, and Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥanina, one said: He told him about [the events] until this day.99Until the day mentioned in this passage – the exodus from Egypt.
The other said: He told him about [the events] until that day.100The day of the messianic redemption, as it is written “on that day the Lord will be one and His name one” (Zechariah 14:9). “To your descendants I have given…” – Rav Huna and Rabbi Dostai in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Naḥman: Even a mere statement by the Holy One blessed be He, too, is considered like an act,101Once God states that something will occur, it is as if it has already taken place in actuality. as it is stated: “To your descendants I have given.”
“I will give this land” is not written here, but rather, “I have given this land.” Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Abba bar Kahana: “Let those whom the Lord has redeemed say” (Psalms 107:2). “Those whom He redeems” is not stated, but rather, “those whom [the Lord] has redeemed.” Rabbi Avun said: “For the Lord is redeeming Jacob” is not written here, but rather, “for the Lord has redeemed Jacob” (Jeremiah 31:11).
The Rabbis say: “I will whistle to them and gather them” (Zechariah 10:8), “for I will redeem them” is not written here, but rather, “for I have redeemed them” (Zechariah 10:8). Rabbi Yehoshua said: “The Lord will create over every structure of Mount Zion” is not written here, but rather, “He has created” (Isaiah 4:5) – it is [as if it is] already created and ready.