Genesis 17:24

24 And Abraam was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 17:24

And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine
See ( Genesis 17:1 ) . This circumstance of his age is observed the more to commend his faith and obedience, that though he was an old man, he did not consider his age, or make that an objection; that he was unable to bear the pain, or it would be shameful for a man of his years to be uncovered before his servants:

when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin;
who circumcised him is not said, very probably Eliezer his head servant: the Jews, who affect to know everything, say ^F21, that he sent for Shem, the son of Noah, who circumcised him and his son Ishmael; but it is most likely that Ishmael was circumcised by Abraham himself, as seems from ( Genesis 17:23 ) ; and Abraham might circumcise himself, as Ben Melech thinks.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Pirke Eliezer, c. 29.

Genesis 17:24 In-Context

22 And he left off speaking with him, and God went up from Abraam.

23 And Abraam took Ismael his son, and all his home-born , and all those bought with money, and every male of the men in the house of Abraam, and he circumcised their foreskins in the time of that day, according as God spoke to him.

24 And Abraam was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

25 And Ismael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

26 And at the period of that day, Abraam was circumcised, and Ismael his son,