Genesis 17:1-27

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• Both Isaac and Ishmael will be blessed, for both are Abraham's seed. But the covenant promise will belong to Isaac.

• The rite of circumcision is initiated as a sign or reminder of their commitment to obey God.

Details and Comments

• An affirmation of God's covenant with Abraham, with an emphasis on the greatness of his offspring. This covenant contains obligations for Abraham (and his offspring) to obey God.

• This covenant would include many nations and kings, and it would be through Isaac, not Ishmael. (Ishmael would also be blessed, but not with this covenant.)

• Circumcision is to be the sign or symbol of Abraham's and his offspring's obedience.

The Significance of Circumcision

• This rite was also practiced in other nations, but not because of a covenant promise with God.

• For Abraham and his offspring, it would symbolize an oath of allegiance to God, a willingness to trust and obey him. Implied in the oath were severe consequences if the oath were broken.

• For more about this issue, refer to: Circumcision.

Scripture

Genesis 17:1-27

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Gen 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. Gen 17:2 I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly."	"I'll make a covenant/promise with you." An obligation to obey comes with this promise. There is also a symbolic act (described below) that will remind him about the covenant.
Gen 17:3 Abram fell on his face. God talked with him, saying, Gen 17:4 "As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations. Gen 17:5 Neither will your name any more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. Gen 17:6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you. Kings will come out of you. Gen 17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your seed after you. Gen 17:8 I will give to you, and to your seed after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession. I will be their God."	Falling on one's face is the proper position to take, when in the presence of God! The name Abram (meaning "exalted Father") is changed to Abraham (meaning "father of many"), for he will become the father of many nations. There will be nations and kings coming from Abraham. The Concept of "Name" Note that this covenant/promise is binding forever. Abrahamic Covenant A reaffirmation that he has been given Canaan for an everlasting possession. All this while he is still childless! Abraham's Offspring
Gen 17:9 God said to Abraham, "As for you, you will keep my covenant, you and your seed after you throughout their generations. Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your seed after you. Every male among you shall be circumcised. Gen 17:11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin. It will be a token of the covenant between me and you. Gen 17:12 He who is eight days old will be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he who is born in the house, or bought with money from any foreigner who is not of your seed. Gen 17:13 He who is born in your house, and he who is bought with your money, must be circumcised. My covenant will be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. Gen 17:14 The uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people. He has broken my covenant."	Circumcision would be a sign/token/symbol of Abraham's (and his offspring's) commitment the covenant. It was to be be a perpetual reminder. But it is just a reminder of the promise ... it does not cause the promise to exist! Nor does the ritual create spiritual merit or favor with God. Both Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles would have to point out this fact, for the people were constantly focusing on the ritual and ignoring the obligation to obey. Circumcision Signs or Reminders of Covenants
Gen 17:15 God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name will be Sarah. Gen 17:16 I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her. Yes, I will bless her, and she will be a mother of nations. Kings of peoples will come from her."	Sarai probably means "princess-like" (she has the character of a princess), whereas Sarah indicates that she is "the princess" - the one through whom nations and kings would come. This covenant/promise will be through Sarah and her offspring. It will not be through Ishmael. (See the following verses.)
Gen 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, "Will a child be born to him who is one hundred years old? Will Sarah, who is ninety years old, give birth?" Gen 17:18 Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!" Gen 17:19 God said, "No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him. Gen 17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. Gen 17:21 But my covenant I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this set time next year." Gen 17:22 When he finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.	Abraham's laughter was an expression of temporary unbelief, as was Sarah's (in chapter 18). So Sarah's son will be called "Isaac," which means "he laughs." The name will also refer to the laughter of joy - Genesis 21:6-7. Ishmael will also be blessed, but the above covenant/promise will be established through Isaac. Abrahamic Covenant
Gen 17:23 Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house, and all who were bought with his money; every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the same day, as God had said to him. Gen 17:24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Gen 17:25 Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Gen 17:26 In the same day both Abraham and Ishmael, his son, were circumcised. Gen 17:27 All the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money of a foreigner, were circumcised with him.	Abraham obeyed God's commands about circumcision.

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—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.