1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
4 As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations.
10 This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.
12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which [is] not of thy seed.
13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.
14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name [be].
16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be [a mother] of nations; kings of people shall be of her.
17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall [a child] be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?
18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.
20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.
24 And Abraham [was] ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
25 And Ishmael his son [was] thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 17
Genesis Chapter 17 is a pivotal chapter in the narrative of the Abrahamic covenant. It marks a significant moment in the relationship between God and Abraham, introducing the concept of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. This chapter also emphasizes the promise of descendants and the renaming of Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah, respectively.
Key Themes
- Covenant: The chapter reinforces the idea of a covenant between God and Abraham, highlighting its importance in the biblical narrative.
- Identity and Name Change: The renaming of Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah signifies their new roles and identities in God’s plan.
- Faith and Obedience: Abraham’s response to God’s commands reflects his faith and obedience, which are central themes throughout the Bible.
- Divine Promises: The promises of numerous descendants and a land for them are reiterated, emphasizing God’s faithfulness.
Structure of the Chapter
- God’s Appearance and Covenant (Verses 1-2):
God appears to Abraham when he is 99 years old, reaffirming His covenant and promising to multiply Abraham exceedingly.
- Renaming of Abraham (Verses 3-5):
God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” signifying the new identity and role he will play.
- Promise of Nations and Kings (Verses 6-8):
God promises that Abraham will be the father of nations and that kings will come from him, establishing a lasting covenant with his descendants.
- Circumcision as a Sign (Verses 9-14):
God commands Abraham to practice circumcision as a physical sign of the covenant, emphasizing its importance for all male descendants.
- Renaming of Sarai to Sarah (Verses 15-16):
God changes Sarai’s name to Sarah, promising that she will bear a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant will continue.
- Abraham’s Response (Verses 17-18):
Abraham laughs at the idea of having a son at such an old age and suggests that Ishmael might be the heir.
- God’s Assurance (Verses 19-21):
God reassures Abraham that Isaac will be born and that His covenant will be established with him and his descendants.
- Obedience to the Command (Verses 22-27):
Abraham obeys God’s command regarding circumcision, demonstrating his faith and commitment to the covenant.
Character Analysis
- Abraham:
Abraham is portrayed as a faithful servant of God, demonstrating both doubt and obedience. His laughter reveals his human frailty, yet his willingness to follow God’s commands illustrates his deep faith.
- God:
God is depicted as a covenant-making deity who is faithful to His promises. His interactions with Abraham show His desire for a personal relationship with humanity.
- Sarai/Sarah:
Sarah is presented as a significant figure in the covenant, her renaming indicating her role as the mother of nations, which highlights the importance of women in the biblical narrative.
Theological Implications
Genesis 17 lays the groundwork for the understanding of covenant theology in the Bible. The chapter illustrates the concept of a unilateral covenant, where God establishes the terms and promises, while Abraham’s role is to respond in faith and obedience. The introduction of circumcision as a sign of the covenant emphasizes the physical and spiritual dimensions of faith, suggesting that true belief is demonstrated through actions.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 17 is a foundational text that encapsulates key themes of covenant, identity, and faith. It sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of God’s relationship with His chosen people and highlights the significance of obedience in the life of faith. The chapter’s emphasis on God’s promises and the establishment of a sign of the covenant continues to resonate throughout the biblical narrative, influencing both Jewish and Christian theology.
