Genesis 17:2

2 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and I will multiply thee exceedingly.

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 And Abram was ninety-nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am thy God, be well-pleasing before me, and be blameless.

2 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and I will multiply thee exceedingly.

3 And Abram fell upon his face, and God spoke to him, saying,

4 And I, behold! my covenant with thee, and thou shalt be a father of a multitude of nations.

5 And thy name shall no more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraam, for I have made thee a father of many nations.