Genesis 17:24

24 Abraham was of ninety years and nine when he circumcised the flesh of his rod, (Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he circumcised the flesh of his own rod,)

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 when the word of the speaker with him was ended (And when he was finished speaking), God ascended from Abraham.

23 Forsooth Abraham took Ishmael, his son, and all the born servants of his house, and all which he had bought, all the males of all men of his house, and circumcised the flesh of their rod(s), anon in that day, as the Lord commanded to him. (Then Abraham took his son Ishmael, and all the slaves born in his household, and all the slaves he had bought, yea, all the males of his household, and at once circumcised the flesh of their rods on that day, as the Lord had commanded him.)

24 Abraham was of ninety years and nine when he circumcised the flesh of his rod, (Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he circumcised the flesh of his own rod,)

25 and Ishmael, his son, had filled thirteen years in the time of his circumcision. (and his son Ishmael was thirteen years old at the time of his circumcision.)

26 Abraham was circumcised in the same day, and Ishmael his son, (And Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day,)