The book of Genesis records a number of promises God made to the patriarch Abraham, which serve as search criteria to identify modern-day Israel. God appeared to Abraham in Haran, calling him to Canaan, and promised to multiply him and grant him control over strategic military and commercial positions, gates, in his enemies' territories. This geopolitical advantage was later given to Abraham's descendants. God also swore by Himself, making this promise an oath, and reminded Abraham that his seed would be a blessing to all nations. God restated several of these promises to Abraham's son, Isaac, and his grandson, Jacob. To Isaac, God reiterated the promises of land, a multitude of descendants spreading in all directions, and the Seed who would bless all nations. To Jacob, God confirmed these same promises, emphasizing that blessings would come through his posterity and something Jacob himself was to do. These promises, recorded in Genesis, remain crucial identifiers for locating modern-day Israel.