Genesis 17:2

2 and I shall set my covenant of peace betwixt me and thee; and I shall multiply thee full greatly (and I shall greatly multiply thee).

Genesis 17:2 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 17:2

And I will make my covenant between me and thee
The covenant of circumcision, so called from the token of it, which God is said to make or give ^F5, being his own constitution, and depended on his sovereign will and pleasure, see ( Acts 7:8 ) ;

and will multiply thee exceedingly;
as he had before promised at several times, and now renews it, lest be should think that Ishmael was the promised seed; for though Hagar's seed is promised to be multiplied, yet here Abram's seed by Sarai is intended, which should be exceeding exceedingly, or in great abundance multiplied; and especially as this may include both his natural seed by her, and his spiritual seed among all nations, who are of the same faith with him, see ( Genesis 12:2 ) ( 13:16 ) ( 15:5 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (hnta) "dabo", Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt.

Genesis 17:2 In-Context

1 Forsooth after that Abram began to be of ninety years and nine, the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, I am Almighty God; go thou before me, and be thou perfect; (Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, I am Almighty God; go thou before me, and do thou what is right;)

2 and I shall set my covenant of peace betwixt me and thee; and I shall multiply thee full greatly (and I shall greatly multiply thee).

3 And Abram felled down low on his face. And God said to him,

4 I am, and my covenant of peace is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of many folks (and thou shalt be the father of many nations);

5 and thy name shall no more be called Abram, but thou shalt be called Abraham, for I have made thee [the] father of many folks (for I have made thee the father of many nations);