Genesis 17:16-17

16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

Genesis 17:16-17 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.

Cross References 6

  • 1. S ver 6; S Isaiah 29:22; Genesis 18:10
  • 2. S ver 4; Genesis 24:60; Genesis 35:11; Galatians 4:31
  • 3. S ver 3
  • 4. Genesis 18:12; Genesis 21:6
  • 5. S Genesis 12:4
  • 6. Genesis 18:11,13; Genesis 21:7; Genesis 24:1,36; Jeremiah 20:15; Luke 1:18; Romans 4:19; Galatians 4:23; Hebrews 11:11
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