Genesis 17:4

4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.

Genesis 17:4 in Other Translations

KJV
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
ESV
4 "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
NLT
4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!
MSG
4 "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many nations.
CSB
4 "As for Me, My covenant is with you, and you will become the 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 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,
4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
5 No longer will you be called Abram ; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Genesis 15:18
  • 2. ver 16; S Genesis 12:2; Genesis 25:23; Genesis 35:11; Genesis 48:19
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