Genesis 17:4

4 "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many 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 I'll make a covenant between us and I'll give you a huge family."

3 Overwhelmed, Abram fell flat on his face.

4 "This is my covenant with you: You'll be the father of many nations.

5 Your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, meaning that 'I'm making you the father of many nations.'

6 I'll make you a father of fathers - I'll make nations from you, kings will issue from you.