Genesis 17

27 verses

TL;DR

God renames Abram to Abraham, establishes an everlasting covenant with promises of land, descendants, and introduces circumcision as its sign, while assuring the birth of Isaac through Sarah.

Summary

In Genesis 17, God appears to Abram at ninety‑nine and declares Himself as the Almighty, announcing a covenant that will make Abram a father of many nations. He changes Abram’s name to Abraham, promising innumerable descendants, kings, and an everlasting covenant of land in Canaan. God commands circumcision as the physical sign of this covenant for every male in Abraham’s household. He also renames Sarai to Sarah and assures her that she will bear a son, Isaac, in her old age, confirming the covenant’s fulfillment through Isaac. God blesses Ishmael, noting he will also become fruitful and have a great nation. The chapter concludes with Abraham and Ishmael being circumcised, fulfilling the covenantal ordinance.

Outline

God establishes covenant and renames Abram
Circumcision ordinance and its significance
Promise of Isaac and blessings for Ishmael

Themes

CovenantObedience and divine commandPromise of descendants

Keywords

covenantcircumcisionAbrahamSarahIsaacIshmaelCanaanlanddescendantspromisenamesobedience

People

AbramAbrahamSaraiSarahIshmaelIsaacGod

Places

Canaan

Things

covenantcircumcisionname changeland promisedescendants

Key Verses

Genesis 17:1: God’s first appearance and the renaming of Abram.
Genesis 17:10: Command for circumcision as the covenant sign.
Genesis 17:17: God’s promise of Isaac and reaffirmation of the covenant.

Questions

What does the covenant signify for Abraham’s future generations?
How does circumcision function as a sign of the covenant?
Why does God promise Isaac through Sarah at such an advanced age?
What is the significance of renaming Sarai to Sarah?

Sentiment

positive
Emphasis on God’s blessings, covenantal promises, and the fulfillment of divine promises.