Genesis 17
Genesis 17 is part of “Covenant and Conflict” (15:1–17:27) in the outline of Genesis.
Genesis 17 summary
This chapter contains articles of agreement covenanted and concluded upon between the great Jehovah, the Father of mercies, on the one part, and pious Abram, the father of the faithful, on the other part. Abram is therefore called "the friend of God," not only because he was the man of his counsel, but because he was the man of his covenant; both these secrets were with him. Mention was made of this covenant (Gen 15:18), but here it is particularly drawn up, and put into the form of a covenant, that Abram might have strong consolation. Here are, I.
Read the full introduction
This chapter contains articles of agreement covenanted and concluded upon between the great Jehovah, the Father of mercies, on the one part, and pious Abram, the father of the faithful, on the other part. Abram is therefore called "the friend of God," not only because he was the man of his counsel, but because he was the man of his covenant; both these secrets were with him. Mention was made of this covenant (Gen 15:18), but here it is particularly drawn up, and put into the form of a covenant, that Abram might have strong consolation. Here are, I. The circumstances of the making of this covenant, the time and manner (Gen 17:1), and the posture Abram was in (Gen 17:3). II. The covenant itself. In the general scope of it (Gen 17:1). And, afterwards, in the particular instances. 1. That he should be the father of many nations (Gen 17:4, Gen 17:6), and, in token of this, his name was changed (Gen 17:5). 2. That God would be a God to him and his seed, and would give them the land of Canaan (Gen 17:7, Gen 17:8). And the seal of this part of the covenant was circumcision (Gen 17:9-14). 3. That he should have a son by Sarai, and, in token thereof, her name was changed (Gen 17:15, Gen 17:16). This promise Abram received (Gen 17:17). And his request for Ishmael (Gen 17:18) was answered, abundantly to his satisfaction (Gen 17:19-22). III. The circumcision of Abram and his family, according to God's appointment (Gen 17:23, etc.).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Genesis 17 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
The Covenant of Circumcision
1When Abram was ninetie yeere olde and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said vnto him, I am God all sufficient. walke before me, and be thou vpright, 2And I will make my couenant betweene me and thee, and I will multiplie thee exceedingly. 3Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying, 4Beholde, I make my couenant with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations, 5Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shalbe Abraham: for a father of many nations haue I made thee. 6Also I will make thee exceeding fruitfull, and will make nations of thee: yea, Kings shall proceede of thee. 7Moreouer I wil establish my couenant betweene me and thee, and thy seede after thee in their generations, for an euerlasting couenant, to be God vnto thee and to thy seede after thee. 8And I will giue thee and thy seede after thee the land, wherein thou art a stranger, euen all the land of Canaan, for an euerlasting possession, and I will be their God. 9Againe God said vnto Abraham, Thou also shalt keepe my couenant, thou, and thy seede after thee in their generations. 10This is my couenant which ye shall keepe betweene me and you, and thy seede after thee, Let euery man childe among you be circumcised: 11That is, ye shall circumcise the foreskin of your flesh, and it shalbe a signe of the couenant betweene me and you. 12And euery man childe of eight dayes olde among you, shalbe circumcised in your generations, aswell he that is borne in thine house, as he that is bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seede. 13He that is borne in thine house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needes be circumcised: so my couenant shall be in your flesh for an euerlasting couenant. 14But the vncircumcised man childe, in whose flesh the foreskin is not circumcised, euen that person shall be cut off from his people, because he hath broken my couenant.
The Promise of Isaac
15Afterward God said vnto Abraham, Sarai thy wife shalt thou not call Sarai, but Sarah shalbe her name. 16And I will blesse her, and will also giue thee a sonne of her, yea, I will blesse her, and she shall be the mother of nations: Kings also of people shall come of her. 17Then Abraham fell vpon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a childe be borne vnto him, that is an hundreth yeere olde? and shall Sarah that is ninetie yeere olde beare? 18And Abraham saide vnto God, Oh, that Ishmael might liue in thy sight. 19Then God saide, Sarah thy wife shall beare thee a sonne in deede, and thou shalt call his name Izhak: and I will establish my couenant with him for an euerlasting couenant, and with his seede after him. 20And as concerning Ishmael, I haue heard thee: loe, I haue blessed him, and will make him fruitfull, and will multiplie him exceedingly: twelue princes shall he beget, and I will make a great nation of him. 21But my couenant will I establish with Izhak, which Sarah shall beare vnto thee, the next yeere at this season. 22And he left off talking with him, and God went vp from Abraham. 23Then Abraham tooke Ishmael his sonne and all that were borne in his house, and all that was bought with his money, that is, euery man childe among the men of Abrahams house, and he circumcised the foreskinne of their flesh in that selfe same day, as God had comaunded him. 24Abraham also himselfe was ninetie yeere olde and nine, when the foreskinne of his flesh was circumcised. 25And Ishmael his sonne was thirteene yeere olde, when the foreskinne of his flesh was circumcised. 26The selfe same day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his sonne: 27And all the men of his house, both borne in his house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.