Genesis 17:21-27

21 Forsooth I shall make my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall child to thee in this time in the tother year. (But I shall make my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear for thee at this same time next year.)

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,)

27 and all the men of his house, as well born servants, as (those) bought and aliens, were circumcised together. (and all the men of his household, yea, the slaves born in his household, and those bought from foreigners, were circumcised with him.)

Genesis 17:21-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 17

This chapter treats of a covenant made with Abram, sometimes called the covenant of circumcision, the time when God appeared to him, and promised to make it, and did, Ge 17:1-3; the particulars of it, both with respect to himself, whose name was now changed, and to his posterity, Ge 17:4-8; the token of it, circumcision, the time of its performance, and the persons obliged to it, Ge 17:9-14; the change of Sarai's name, and a promise made that she should have a son, to the great surprise of Abraham, Ge 17:15-17; a prayer of his for Ishmael, and the answer to it, with a confirmation of Sarah's having a son, whose name should be called Isaac, and the establishment of the covenant with him, Ge 17:18-22; and the chapter is closed with an account of the circumcision of Abraham, and all his family of the male sort, agreeably to the command of God, Ge 17:23-27.