Genesis 17:22

22 When he finished talking with him, God went up from Avraham.

Genesis 17:22 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 17:22

And he left off talking; with him
After he had finished all he had to say to him at this time. It was great condescension in the divine Being to talk with a creature; it was wonderful grace and kindness to make such promises to him, as he did, and indulge him with answers of prayer and communion with him; but the highest enjoyments of God here are not lasting; uninterrupted communion with him is reserved for another world:

and God went up from Abraham;
from the earth, where he had been with Abraham, and ascended above him up to heaven, in a visible, and very likely in an human form, in which he descended: the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan paraphrase it, "the glory of the Lord", the glorious Shechinah, the Lord of life and glory.

Genesis 17:22 In-Context

20 As for Yishma'el, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

21 But my covenant I establish with Yitzchak, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time in the next year."

22 When he finished talking with him, God went up from Avraham.

23 Avraham took Yishma'el his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money; every male among the men of Avraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him.

24 Avraham was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.