Genesis 17:3-13

3 Then Abram fell to the ground,^[a] and God spoke with him:

4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you, and you will become the father of many nations.^[b]

5 Your name will no longer be Abram,^[c] but your name will be Abraham,^[d] for I will make you the father of many nations.^[e]

6 I will make you extremely fruitful and will make nations and kings come from you.

7 I will keep My covenant between Me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations, as an everlasting covenant to be your God and the [God] of your offspring after you.

8 And to you and your offspring after you I will give the land where you are residing-all the land of Canaan-as an eternal possession, and I will be their God."

9 God also said to Abraham, "As for you, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations are to keep My covenant.

10 This is My covenant, which you are to keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every one of your males must be circumcised.

11 You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin to serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you.^[f]

12 Throughout your generations, every male among you at eight days old is to be circumcised. This includes a slave born in your house and one purchased with money from any foreigner. The one who is not your offspring,

13 a slave born in your house, as well as one purchased with money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be in your flesh as an everlasting covenant.

Genesis 17:3-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 17

This chapter treats of a covenant made with Abram, sometimes called the covenant of circumcision, the time when God appeared to him, and promised to make it, and did, Ge 17:1-3; the particulars of it, both with respect to himself, whose name was now changed, and to his posterity, Ge 17:4-8; the token of it, circumcision, the time of its performance, and the persons obliged to it, Ge 17:9-14; the change of Sarai's name, and a promise made that she should have a son, to the great surprise of Abraham, Ge 17:15-17; a prayer of his for Ishmael, and the answer to it, with a confirmation of Sarah's having a son, whose name should be called Isaac, and the establishment of the covenant with him, Ge 17:18-22; and the chapter is closed with an account of the circumcision of Abraham, and all his family of the male sort, agreeably to the command of God, Ge 17:23-27.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit fell on his face
• [b]. Abraham was father not only of the Israelites, but also of the Ishmaelites, the Edomites, and the Midianites. Spiritually, he is the father of all believers; Gl 3:7,29.
• [c]. The Father Is Exalted
• [d]. Father of a Multitude
• [e]. Rm 4:17-18
• [f]. You in v. 11 is pl.