Genesis 17:1-7

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right.

2 I will make my covenant with you and give you many descendants."

3 Abram bowed down with his face touching the ground, and God said,

4 "I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations.

5 Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, because I am making you the ancestor of many nations. ¹

6 I will give you many descendants, and some of them will be kings. You will have so many descendants that they will become nations.

7 "I will keep my promise to you and to your descendants in future generations as an everlasting covenant. I will be your God and the God of your descendants. ²

Genesis 17:1-7 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

• 1. 17.5Romans 4.17.
• 2. 17.7Luke 1.55.

Footnotes

• [a] abraham: [This name sounds like the Hebrew for "ancestor of many nations."]