Genesis 17:4

4 "[As for] me, behold, my covenant [shall be] with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of 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 so that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you {exceedingly}."
3 Then Abram fell upon his face and God spoke with him, saying,
4 "[As for] me, behold, my covenant [shall be] with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
5 Your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I will make you the father of a multitude of nations.
6 And I will make you {exceedingly} fruitful. I will make you a nation, and kings shall go out from you.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.