Genesis 17:4

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

6 And I will increase thee very exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.