Genesis 17:3-13

3 Immediately, Abram bowed with his face touching the ground, and again God spoke to him,

4 "My promise is still with you. You will become the father of many nations.

5 So your name will no longer be Abram [Exalted Father], but Abraham [Father of Many] because I have made you a father of many nations.

6 I will give you many descendants. Many nations and kings will come from you.

7 I will make my promise to you and your descendants for generations to come as an everlasting promise. I will be your God and the God of your descendants.

8 I am also giving this land where you are living--all of Canaan--to you and your descendants as your permanent possession. And I will be your God."

9 God also said to Abraham, "You and your descendants in generations to come are to be faithful to my promise.

10 This is how you are to be faithful to my promise: Every male among you is to be circumcised.

11 All of you must be circumcised. That will be the sign of the promise from me to you.

12 For generations to come every male child who is eight days old must be circumcised, whether he is born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner who's not related to you.

13 Every male born in your household or bought with your money is to be circumcised without exception. So my promise will be a sign on your flesh, an everlasting promise.

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.