Genesis 17
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. 2 Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”
3 Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4 “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5 No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6 I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. 7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”
9 Then God said to Abraham, “As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. 10 This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring. 13 Whether born in your household or bought with your money, they must be circumcised. My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
15 God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. 16 I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!”
19 Then God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. 21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him.
23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. 24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25 and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 26 Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. 27 And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.”
Genesis 17 Meaning
Genesis 17 is a significant chapter in the Bible that focuses on the covenant God made with Abraham. In this chapter, God establishes His covenant with Abraham and promises to make him the father of many nations. He changes Abraham’s name from Abram to Abraham and institutes circumcision as a sign of the covenant. The chapter also sheds light on Sarah’s role in the covenant and the eventual birth of their son, Isaac.
Genesis 17 Commentary and Explanation
In Genesis 17, we witness a profound covenantal moment between God and Abraham. This chapter marks a significant stage in the narrative of God’s promise to Abraham and the establishment of the covenant.
Verse 1-2: As the chapter begins, we see God appearing to Abram, reaffirming His identity as God Almighty. This title, “El Shaddai,” emphasizes God’s omnipotence and sufficiency. It’s a reminder of His ability to fulfill His promises despite any human limitations or doubts. This echoes throughout Scripture, such as in 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul writes of God’s power being made perfect in weakness.
Verse 3: Abram falls on his face before God, demonstrating reverence and submission. This posture reflects the humility and awe we should approach God with in prayer and worship. It’s reminiscent of Isaiah’s response in Isaiah 6:5 when he sees the Lord.
Verse 4-8: God reiterates His covenant with Abram, promising to make him the father of many nations. The change in Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many,” symbolizes the fulfillment of this promise. It’s a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and His ability to bring about what seems impossible, as seen later in Romans 4:17-21.
Verse 9-14: The covenant is to be marked by circumcision, a visible sign of commitment and separation to God. This act symbolizes purification and dedication, pointing forward to a spiritual circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:28-29). It underscores the necessity of faithfulness and obedience in our relationship with God.
Verse 15-22: God promises Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, who will be born within a year. Sarah’s laughter at this proclamation reveals both disbelief and joy, a reminder of how God’s plans often exceed human expectations (Genesis 18:12-15). This narrative foreshadows the miraculous birth of Isaac and points to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises.
Verse 23-27: Abraham obediently circumcises himself, his household, and all the males in his household. This demonstrates Abraham’s commitment to the covenant and sets a precedent for the obedience required of those who are part of God’s covenant community. It echoes Joshua’s call to Israel to choose whom they will serve (Joshua 24:15).
Genesis 17 presents a pivotal moment in the relationship between God and Abraham, establishing the covenant that forms the foundation of God’s redemptive plan. It highlights God’s faithfulness, Abraham’s obedience, and the importance of trust in God’s promises. As we reflect on this passage, may we be reminded of God’s power to fulfill His promises, our call to obedience, and the faithfulness that characterizes our covenant relationship with Him.
Also Read: Genesis 16 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Genesis 17
Genesis 17 takes place after the events of Genesis 15 and 16. In Genesis 15, God makes a covenant with Abraham, promising him numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. However, despite God’s promise, Abram and Sarai become impatient and try to fulfill God’s promise in their own way. Sarai suggests that Abram have a child with her maid, Hagar. This decision leads to the birth of Ishmael.
In Genesis 16, Hagar, after conceiving Ishmael, faces mistreatment from Sarai, which prompts her to flee. However, God finds Hagar and assures her that He will bless Ishmael and make him a great nation.
After these events, in Genesis 17, God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham and establishes circumcision as a sign of this covenant. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the commitment of Abraham and his descendants to follow God’s ways.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 17
1. God renews His covenant with Abraham and changes his name from Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:1-5): God appears to Abraham and establishes a covenant with him, promising to make him the father of many nations. As a sign of this covenant, God changes Abram’s name to Abraham, signifying a new purpose and identity.
2. God institutes circumcision as a sign of the covenant (Genesis 17:9-14): God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and all males in his household. Circumcision serves as a physical reminder of the covenant and a commitment to live according to God’s righteousness.
3. Sarah’s name is changed, and she is promised a son (Genesis 17:15-19): God changes Sarai’s name to Sarah and promises that she will bear a son named Isaac. This promise displays God’s sovereignty and Sarah’s significance in God’s plan.
4. Abraham’s laughter and God’s promise of Isaac (Genesis 17:17-22): Abraham, being 99 years old, laughs at the idea of having a child. However, God reaffirms His promise and assures Abraham that Sarah will bear a son named Isaac.
Lessons From the Bible Verses
1. God is faithful to His promises: Despite Abraham’s doubt and impatience, God remains faithful to His covenant. The fulfillment of God’s promises does not depend on our abilities or circumstances but on His character and timing.
2. Our identity is in God’s promises: Abraham’s name change from Abram to Abraham is a reminder that our true identity is found in the promises of God. When we embrace our new identity in Christ, we can walk in the purpose and plans that God has for us.
3. Obedience is required in the covenant relationship: Circumcision symbolizes the commitment to follow God’s ways. As believers, we are called to a life of obedience, demonstrating our love and commitment to God’s commands.
4. God’s plans often surpass our expectations: Sarah’s laughter at the idea of having a child in her old age reminds us that God’s plans often exceed our understanding and expectations. We should never underestimate God’s ability to fulfill His promises, even in situations that seem impossible.
Final Thoughts
Genesis 17 is a crucial chapter that highlights the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants. It showcases God’s faithfulness, the significance of names, and the importance of obedience in the covenant relationship. It reminds us that God’s plans for our lives are far greater than we can comprehend, and it calls us to trust Him completely. Let us hold onto the promises of God and walk in obedience, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His Word.