Antiphona 4

This antiphon combines Sirach 44:22-23's blessing of Abraham and Jacob with language from Genesis 12:2-3. The 'benedictio' (blessing) is the patriarchal blessing that transmits divine favor across generations. The 'hereditas omnium gentium' (inheritance of all nations) recalls Psalm 2:8's messianic promise: 'Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thine inheritance.' Applied to the martyr, this indicates that faithful witness participates in Christ's universal lordship - the martyr shares in the inheritance promised to the Son. At Lauds, this antiphon presents martyrdom as entry into the blessings promised to Abraham's seed.