Bible Commentaries
Genesis 17

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 17:1, God renews the covenant with Abram, and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing; Genesis 17:9, Circumcision is instituted; Genesis 17:15, Sarai’s name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed; Genesis 17:17, Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed; Genesis 17:23, Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.

Verse 1

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was: Genesis 16:16

the Lord: Genesis 12:1

Almighty: Genesis 18:14, Genesis 28:3, Genesis 35:11, Exodus 6:3, Numbers 11:23, Deuteronomy 10:17, Job 11:7, Psalms 115:3, Jeremiah 32:17, Daniel 4:35, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 3:20, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 7:25

walk: Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24, Genesis 6:9, Genesis 48:15, 1 Kings 2:4, 1 Kings 3:6, 1 Kings 8:25, 2 Kings 20:3, Psalms 116:9, Isaiah 38:3, Micah 6:8, Luke 1:6, Acts 23:1, Acts 24:16, Hebrews 12:28

perfect: or, upright, or sincere, Genesis 6:9, Deuteronomy 18:13, Job 1:1, Matthew 5:48

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:7 - appeared Genesis 14:22 - the most Genesis 15:18 - made Genesis 17:24 - General Genesis 21:5 - General Genesis 24:40 - before Genesis 26:2 - appeared Genesis 35:9 - General Genesis 43:14 - And God Genesis 48:3 - God Genesis 49:25 - the Almighty Exodus 3:18 - met Exodus 4:5 - the Lord Deuteronomy 23:14 - walketh Joshua 24:14 - serve Ruth 1:20 - the Almighty 2 Samuel 22:24 - upright 1 Kings 8:23 - walk before 1 Kings 8:61 - perfect 1 Kings 9:4 - And if thou 2 Chronicles 6:14 - walk before 2 Chronicles 7:12 - the Lord Psalms 25:10 - the paths Psalms 50:1 - mighty Psalms 56:13 - walk Psalms 73:23 - Nevertheless Proverbs 18:10 - name Ecclesiastes 6:8 - the poor Isaiah 41:2 - Who raised Isaiah 57:2 - in his uprightness Daniel 3:17 - our God Amos 3:3 - General Micah 4:5 - and we Zephaniah 3:17 - is mighty Malachi 2:6 - he walked Matthew 19:21 - If Luke 1:49 - he John 1:10 - was in Romans 4:10 - not in circumcision 1 Corinthians 7:24 - abide 2 Corinthians 6:18 - the Lord Galatians 3:20 - but Ephesians 4:1 - walk Revelation 1:8 - the Almighty Revelation 4:8 - Lord God Almighty Revelation 11:17 - Lord God Almighty Revelation 15:3 - Lord God Almighty

Verse 2

And I: Genesis 17:4-6, Genesis 9:9, Genesis 15:18, Psalms 105:8-11, Galatians 3:17, Galatians 3:18

multiply: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 13:16, Genesis 22:17

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 13:23 - because of his covenant 1 Chronicles 16:16 - which he made Psalms 105:9 - General Romans 9:4 - covenants Galatians 3:20 - but Hebrews 6:14 - multiplying

Verse 3

Genesis 17:17, Exodus 3:6, Leviticus 9:23, Leviticus 9:24, Numbers 14:5, Numbers 16:22, Numbers 16:45, Joshua 5:14, Judges 13:20, 1 Kings 18:39, Ezekiel 1:28, Ezekiel 3:23, Ezekiel 9:8, Daniel 8:17, Daniel 8:18, Daniel 10:9, Matthew 17:6, Revelation 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:7 - Unto thy Genesis 17:22 - General Exodus 4:31 - bowed Exodus 34:8 - General Numbers 11:17 - talk with 1 Samuel 24:8 - David stooped Isaiah 6:2 - covered his face Ezekiel 44:4 - and I fell Matthew 26:39 - and fell Mark 14:35 - and fell Luke 17:16 - fell

Verse 4

a father: Genesis 12:2, Genesis 13:16, Genesis 16:10, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 25:1-18, Genesis 32:12, Genesis 35:11, Genesis 36:1-43, Numbers 1:1-54, Numbers 26:1-65, Romans 4:11-18, Galatians 3:28, Galatians 3:29

many nations: Heb. multitude of nations

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:18 - establish Genesis 17:2 - And I Genesis 17:6 - nations Genesis 26:4 - multiply Exodus 1:7 - fruitful Luke 1:72 - and Romans 4:13 - For the Romans 4:17 - I have Hebrews 7:6 - had

Verse 5

but thy name: Genesis 17:15, Genesis 32:28, Numbers 13:16, 2 Samuel 12:25, Nehemiah 9:7, Isaiah 62:2-4, Isaiah 65:15, Jeremiah 20:3, Jeremiah 23:6, Matthew 1:21-23, John 1:42, Revelation 2:17

Abraham: i.e. father of a great multitude

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Genesis 35:10 - General Genesis 35:11 - a nation 1 Chronicles 1:27 - Abram Jeremiah 30:20 - children Romans 4:13 - For the Romans 4:17 - I have Philippians 3:3 - we Hebrews 7:4 - Abraham

Verse 6

nations: Genesis 17:4, Genesis 17:20, Genesis 35:11

kings: Genesis 17:16, Genesis 36:31-43, Ezra 4:20, Matthew 1:6-17

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 22:17 - I will multiply Genesis 26:22 - be fruitful Genesis 28:4 - the blessing Genesis 28:13 - I am Leviticus 26:9 - make you Numbers 1:46 - General Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst Hebrews 7:4 - Abraham

Verse 7

And I: Genesis 15:18, Genesis 26:24, Exodus 6:4, Psalms 105:8-11, Micah 7:20, Luke 1:54, Luke 1:55, Luke 1:72-75, Romans 9:4, Romans 9:8, Romans 9:9, Galatians 3:17, Ephesians 2:2

God: Genesis 26:24, Genesis 28:13, Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:15, Leviticus 26:12, Psalms 81:10, Ezekiel 28:26, Matthew 22:32, Hebrews 8:10, Hebrews 11:16

and to: Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Mark 10:14, Acts 2:39, Romans 9:7-9

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:18 - establish Genesis 9:9 - General Genesis 13:15 - General Genesis 24:12 - O Lord Genesis 31:53 - God of Abraham Genesis 32:9 - O God Exodus 2:24 - remembered Exodus 6:7 - will take Exodus 13:5 - sware Exodus 15:2 - my God Exodus 20:2 - the Lord Leviticus 18:2 - General Leviticus 23:21 - a statute Leviticus 26:9 - make you Leviticus 26:45 - for their Deuteronomy 1:8 - which Deuteronomy 5:3 - General Deuteronomy 7:9 - which keepeth Deuteronomy 28:9 - establish Deuteronomy 29:13 - he may be Judges 2:1 - I will never 1 Samuel 12:12 - when the Lord 1 Samuel 14:6 - uncircumcised 2 Samuel 7:24 - confirmed 2 Kings 13:23 - because of his covenant 1 Chronicles 16:4 - the Lord God 1 Chronicles 16:13 - ye seed 1 Chronicles 16:17 - an everlasting 1 Chronicles 17:22 - thy people 2 Chronicles 20:7 - our God Nehemiah 9:8 - madest Psalms 25:13 - his seed Psalms 37:25 - nor his seed Psalms 47:9 - the God Psalms 67:6 - our own Psalms 74:20 - Have Psalms 91:2 - my God Psalms 105:7 - the Lord Psalms 105:10 - an everlasting Psalms 112:2 - General Psalms 115:14 - you Proverbs 11:21 - the seed Proverbs 13:22 - leaveth Proverbs 20:7 - his children Isaiah 44:1 - O Jacob Isaiah 44:7 - since Isaiah 55:3 - and I will Isaiah 61:8 - I will make Isaiah 63:8 - Surely Isaiah 65:23 - for Jeremiah 31:1 - will Jeremiah 31:33 - and will Jeremiah 32:22 - which Jeremiah 32:38 - General Jeremiah 32:39 - for the Jeremiah 32:40 - I will make Jeremiah 50:5 - in a Ezekiel 14:11 - that they Ezekiel 16:20 - thy sons Ezekiel 37:23 - they be Ezekiel 37:26 - I will make Habakkuk 3:9 - according Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Mark 12:26 - I am Luke 1:50 - General Luke 20:37 - when John 20:17 - your God Acts 11:14 - all Acts 13:17 - God Acts 16:31 - and thy Romans 3:29 - General Romans 11:16 - and if 2 Corinthians 6:16 - I will be Galatians 3:16 - to Galatians 4:7 - heir Ephesians 2:12 - the covenants Revelation 21:3 - they shall

Verse 8

And I: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 13:17, Genesis 15:7-21, Psalms 105:9, Psalms 105:11

wherein thou art a stranger: Heb. of thy sojournings, Genesis 23:4, Genesis 28:4

everlasting: Genesis 48:4, Exodus 21:6, Exodus 31:16, Exodus 31:17, Exodus 40:15, Leviticus 16:34, Numbers 25:13, Deuteronomy 32:8, 2 Samuel 23:5, Psalms 103:17, Hebrews 9:15

their: Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12, Deuteronomy 4:37, Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 26:18, Deuteronomy 29:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:9 - General Genesis 15:13 - thy Genesis 15:18 - Unto thy Genesis 24:7 - which spake Genesis 24:12 - O Lord Genesis 26:3 - unto thee Genesis 36:6 - went Genesis 36:7 - the land Genesis 37:1 - wherein his father was a stranger Genesis 50:24 - sware Exodus 3:6 - I am Exodus 3:15 - The Lord Exodus 6:4 - established Exodus 12:24 - General Exodus 13:5 - sware Exodus 20:2 - the Lord Leviticus 10:15 - for ever Leviticus 14:34 - which I Leviticus 26:45 - for their Numbers 34:2 - is the land Deuteronomy 1:8 - which Deuteronomy 9:5 - that he may Deuteronomy 26:3 - which the Judges 2:1 - I will never 2 Kings 13:23 - because of his covenant 1 Chronicles 16:17 - an everlasting 1 Chronicles 16:18 - Unto thee Nehemiah 9:8 - madest Nehemiah 9:23 - which thou Psalms 47:9 - the God Psalms 74:20 - Have Psalms 105:10 - an everlasting Psalms 105:12 - and strangers Proverbs 11:21 - the seed Proverbs 13:22 - leaveth Isaiah 44:7 - since Jeremiah 11:4 - ye be Jeremiah 25:5 - for Jeremiah 31:1 - will Jeremiah 31:33 - and will Jeremiah 32:22 - which Ezekiel 37:23 - they be Ezekiel 47:14 - lifted up mine hand Micah 7:20 - General Habakkuk 3:9 - according Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Mark 12:26 - I am John 20:17 - your God Acts 2:39 - the promise Acts 7:5 - yet Acts 13:17 - God Acts 13:19 - Chanaan Romans 3:29 - General 2 Corinthians 6:16 - I will be 2 Corinthians 11:22 - the seed Galatians 3:16 - to Galatians 3:17 - the covenant Galatians 4:7 - heir Hebrews 8:10 - I will be Hebrews 11:8 - which Hebrews 11:9 - he sojourned Hebrews 11:16 - to be Revelation 21:3 - they shall

Verse 9

Psalms 25:10, Psalms 103:18, Isaiah 56:4, Isaiah 56:5

Reciprocal: Acts 3:25 - the covenant Acts 7:8 - the covenant 2 Corinthians 11:22 - the seed

Verse 10

Every: Genesis 17:11, Genesis 34:15, Exodus 4:25, Exodus 12:48, Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 30:6, Joshua 5:2, Joshua 5:4, Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 9:25, Jeremiah 9:26, Acts 7:8, Romans 2:28, Romans 2:29, Romans 3:1, Romans 3:25, Romans 3:28, Romans 3:30, Romans 4:9-11, 1 Corinthians 7:18, 1 Corinthians 7:19, Galatians 3:28, Galatians 5:3-6, Galatians 6:12, Ephesians 2:11, Philippians 3:3, Colossians 2:11, Colossians 2:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:23 - circumcised Genesis 21:4 - General Psalms 103:18 - To such Mark 10:14 - Suffer Luke 1:13 - thy prayer John 7:22 - circumcision Acts 3:25 - the covenant Acts 15:1 - after Romans 4:10 - not in circumcision Romans 4:11 - the sign Romans 9:4 - covenants

Verse 11

the flesh: Exodus 4:25, Joshua 5:3, 1 Samuel 18:25-27, 2 Samuel 3:14

a token: Acts 7:8, Romans 4:11

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:12 - General Genesis 17:10 - Every Genesis 34:14 - uncircumcised Exodus 12:13 - the blood Exodus 31:16 - a perpetual covenant Leviticus 12:3 - General

Verse 12

he that is eight days old: Heb. a son of eight days, Genesis 21:4, Leviticus 12:3, Luke 1:59, Luke 2:21, John 7:22, John 7:23, Acts 7:8, Romans 2:28, Philippians 3:5

is born: Genesis 17:23, Exodus 12:48, Exodus 12:49

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:14 - born Exodus 12:44 - circumcised Ecclesiastes 2:7 - and had Jonah 4:10 - came up in a night

Verse 13

born: Genesis 14:14, Genesis 15:3, Exodus 12:44, Exodus 21:4

bought: Genesis 37:27, Genesis 37:36, Genesis 39:1, Exodus 21:2, Exodus 21:16, Nehemiah 5:5, Nehemiah 5:8, Matthew 18:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:16 - everlasting Genesis 48:4 - everlasting Exodus 6:4 - established Leviticus 10:15 - for ever Leviticus 22:11 - his money Psalms 25:14 - he will Ecclesiastes 2:7 - and had Isaiah 24:5 - broken

Verse 14

cut: Exodus 4:24-26, Exodus 12:15, Exodus 12:19, Exodus 30:33, Exodus 30:38, Leviticus 7:20, Leviticus 7:21, Leviticus 7:25, Leviticus 7:27, Leviticus 18:29, Leviticus 19:8, Numbers 15:30, Numbers 15:31, Joshua 5:2-12

broken: Psalms 55:20, Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 33:8, Jeremiah 11:10, Jeremiah 31:32, 1 Corinthians 11:27, 1 Corinthians 11:29

Reciprocal: Leviticus 17:4 - be cut off Leviticus 23:29 - he shall be Leviticus 23:30 - General Leviticus 26:15 - break Numbers 9:13 - forbeareth Numbers 19:20 - shall not Ezekiel 44:7 - broken Galatians 5:12 - cut

Verse 15

As: Genesis 17:5, Genesis 32:28, 2 Samuel 12:25

Sarah: i.e. princess

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:29 - Sarai Genesis 24:36 - Sarah Genesis 35:10 - General Isaiah 51:1 - look Isaiah 62:2 - thou shalt Jeremiah 20:3 - hath Galatians 4:23 - but

Verse 16

And I: Genesis 1:28, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 24:60, Romans 9:9

give: Genesis 18:10-14

be a mother of nations: Heb. become nations, Genesis 35:11, Galatians 4:26-31, 1 Peter 3:6

kings: Genesis 17:6, Isaiah 49:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 15:4 - shall come Genesis 16:2 - the Lord Genesis 25:21 - because Genesis 25:23 - Two nations Genesis 36:31 - the kings Exodus 1:7 - fruitful Judges 13:3 - but thou 2 Kings 4:16 - thou shalt Psalms 107:38 - He blesseth Acts 7:5 - when Romans 4:13 - For the Romans 4:17 - I have Hebrews 6:15 - General

Verse 17

fell: Genesis 17:3, Leviticus 9:24, Numbers 14:5, Numbers 16:22, Numbers 16:45, Deuteronomy 9:18, Deuteronomy 9:25, Joshua 5:14, Joshua 7:6, Judges 13:20, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Job 1:20, Ezekiel 1:28, Daniel 8:17, Matthew 2:11, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 11:16

laughed: Genesis 18:12, Genesis 21:6, John 8:56, Romans 4:19, Romans 4:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:19 - Isaac Genesis 17:24 - General Genesis 18:11 - old Genesis 21:5 - General Genesis 23:1 - an Leviticus 10:15 - for ever Ruth 1:12 - too old 2 Kings 4:14 - she hath no child 2 Kings 4:16 - thou shalt Luke 1:7 - well Luke 1:18 - Whereby Luke 6:21 - ye shall laugh Hebrews 6:15 - General Hebrews 11:11 - Sara

Verse 18

O that: Jeremiah 32:39, Acts 2:39

before: Genesis 4:12, Genesis 4:14, Psalms 4:6, Psalms 41:12, Isaiah 59:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:15 - Ishmael Genesis 21:11 - because 2 Samuel 7:26 - before thee Hosea 6:2 - we Romans 3:29 - General

Verse 19

Sarah: Genesis 17:21, Genesis 18:10-14, Genesis 21:2, Genesis 21:3, Genesis 21:6, 2 Kings 4:16, 2 Kings 4:17, Luke 1:13-20, Romans 9:6-9, Galatians 4:28-31

Isaac: Yitzchak, which we change into Isaac, signifies laughter; in allusion to Abraham's laughing, Genesis 17:17. By this Abraham did not express his unbelief or weakness of faith, but his joy at the prospect of the fulfilment of so glorious a promise; and to this our Lord evidently alludes, John 8:56.

Reciprocal: Genesis 9:16 - everlasting Genesis 16:11 - shalt Genesis 21:1 - Sarah as Genesis 21:10 - Cast out Genesis 21:12 - in Isaac Genesis 22:2 - Take Genesis 25:11 - after 1 Chronicles 1:28 - Isaac Matthew 1:21 - she Luke 1:55 - General Acts 3:25 - the covenant Galatians 3:17 - the covenant Hebrews 11:18 - That

Verse 20

I have blessed: Genesis 16:10-12

twelve: Genesis 25:12-18

and I: Genesis 21:13, Genesis 21:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:28 - General Genesis 13:16 - General Genesis 16:15 - Ishmael Genesis 17:6 - nations Genesis 21:9 - Sarah Genesis 21:20 - God Genesis 25:16 - twelve Genesis 48:19 - I know it Leviticus 26:9 - make you Psalms 107:38 - He blesseth Romans 4:17 - I have

Verse 21

my: Genesis 21:10-12, Genesis 26:2-5, Genesis 46:1, Genesis 48:15, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 3:6, Luke 1:55, Luke 1:72, Romans 9:5, Romans 9:6, Romans 9:9, Galatians 3:29, Hebrews 11:9

at: Genesis 18:10, Genesis 21:2, Genesis 21:3, Job 14:13, Acts 1:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:18 - establish Genesis 17:19 - Sarah Genesis 18:14 - I will Genesis 21:12 - in Isaac Genesis 48:19 - I know it Deuteronomy 5:3 - General Judges 20:38 - sign 2 Kings 4:16 - About this Ecclesiastes 3:2 - time to be born Matthew 1:21 - she

Verse 22

Genesis 17:3, Genesis 18:33, Genesis 35:9-15, Exodus 20:22, Numbers 12:6-8, Deuteronomy 5:4, Judges 6:21, Judges 13:20, John 1:18, John 10:30

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:1 - appeared Genesis 35:13 - General Exodus 33:9 - talked Numbers 11:17 - talk with Ezekiel 11:24 - So

Verse 23

circumcised: Genesis 17:10-14, Genesis 17:26, Genesis 17:27, Genesis 18:19, Genesis 34:24, Joshua 5:2-9, Psalms 119:60, Proverbs 27:1, Ecclesiastes 9:10, Acts 16:3, Romans 2:25-29, Romans 4:9-12, 1 Corinthians 7:18, 1 Corinthians 7:19, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 6:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 6:22 - General Genesis 17:12 - is born Genesis 22:3 - General Genesis 25:16 - twelve Genesis 26:5 - General Exodus 12:44 - circumcised Joshua 5:3 - Joshua Romans 4:10 - not in circumcision

Verse 24

Genesis 17:1, Genesis 17:17, Genesis 12:4, Romans 4:11, Romans 4:19, Romans 4:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:11 - old Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Acts 10:47 - General

Verse 25

Not only the Jews, but the Arabs, who are the descendants of Ishmael, retain the rite of circumcision to this day; and the latter perform it, as the other Mahometanus also do, at the age of thirteen.

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:15 - Ishmael

Verse 26

Genesis 12:4, Genesis 22:3, Genesis 22:4, Psalms 119:60

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:15 - Ishmael Genesis 17:23 - circumcised

Verse 27

circumcised: Genesis 18:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:14 - born Genesis 17:23 - circumcised Exodus 21:4 - shall be her Acts 18:8 - believed