Genesis 17:4

4 And God said to him: I am, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Genesis 17:4 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 17:4

As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee
Who was gracious to make it, faithful to keep it, and immutable in it, though Abram was but a man, and sinful:

and thou shalt be a father of many nations:
as he was of many Arabian nations, and of the Turks in the line of Ishmael; and of the Midianites, and others, in the line of his sons by Keturah; and of the Israelites in the line of Isaac, as well as of the Edomites in the line of Esau; and in a spiritual sense the father of all that believe, in all the nations of the world, circumcised or uncircumcised, as the apostle explains it, ( Romans 4:11 Romans 4:12 Romans 4:16-18 ) .

Genesis 17:4 In-Context

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee: and I will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 Abram fell flat on his face.
4 And God said to him: I am, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name be called any more Abram: but thou shalt be called Abraham: because I have made thee a father of many nations.
6 And I will make thee increase exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
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