Explanation
Covenant's Mark
(Genesis 17)
Genesis
17 is a chapter in the Book of Genesis in the Bible. It focuses on the covenant
between God and Abraham and introduces the rite of circumcision as a sign of
this covenant.
In
Genesis 17, God appears to Abram (later known as Abraham) when he is 99 years
old and reaffirms His covenant with him. God promises to make Abram exceedingly
fruitful and establish a covenant with him that will result in numerous
descendants. Abram falls on his face in reverence to God.
God
changes Abram's name to Abraham, which means "father of many
nations." This change reflects the promise of God to make him the father
of a multitude of nations.
God
promises to bless Abraham and make him the father of many nations, with kings
coming from him. The land of Canaan is also promised as an everlasting
possession for Abraham and his descendants.
As a
sign of the covenant, God establishes the practice of circumcision. Every male
child, including those born in Abraham's household and future generations, is
to be circumcised on the eighth day of their lives. This physical mark is to
serve as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.
God
also renames Abraham's wife Sarai to Sarah, promising that she will bear a son
and that nations and kings will come from her.
Abraham,
astonished by God's promise, falls on his face and laughs. He asks if Ishmael,
his son with Sarah's maidservant Hagar, can be the one through whom the
covenant is fulfilled. But God reaffirms that Sarah herself will bear a son,
who will be named Isaac, and the covenant will be established through him.
God
assures Abraham that Ishmael will also be blessed and will become a great
nation. However, the covenant and the promised blessings will be established
through Isaac.
Abraham
immediately obeys God's command and circumcises himself, his son Ishmael, and
all the males in his household, including his servants.
Genesis
17 highlights the covenant between God and Abraham, the change of names, the
promise of numerous descendants, and the establishment of circumcision as a
sign of the covenant. It sets the stage for the future events involving
Abraham's descendants, as the fulfillment of God's promises gradually unfolds.
Covenant's Mark
In
ancient days, a promise made,
A
covenant with Abraham laid.
Genesis
17, the sacred scroll,
Unveiling
truths, a story to extol.
God
appeared to Abram, old and wise,
With
blessings vast that would arise.
"Abraham,"
He said, a name reborn,
"Father
of nations, your legacy adorned."
A
multitude of descendants, God foretold,
Kings
and nations, a future to unfold.
The
land of Canaan, forever their own,
A
promise eternal, seeds yet unknown.
To
seal this bond, a rite was assigned,
Circumcision,
a mark divinely designed.
On
the eighth day, sons would bear,
A
symbol of faith, a sign to declare.
Sarai,
now Sarah, her name transformed,
A
mother of nations, her destiny adorned.
Laughter
erupted from Abraham's lips,
As
Isaac's birth came with miraculous flips.
Ishmael,
too, would receive God's grace,
A
great nation, his destined place.
But
through Isaac, the covenant revealed,
Generations
blessed, the truth unsealed.
Abraham,
obedient, took the knife,
Circumcising
all, his household's life.
With
faith unwavering, he followed through,
The
covenant marked, a commitment true.
Genesis
17, a tale profound,
Of
promises given, of blessings unbound.
Circumcision's
significance, the covenant's art,
A
testament to faith engraved in every heart.
Explanation
Verses
1 to 10 of Genesis 17 provide a detailed account of God's appearance to Abram
(later known as Abraham) and the establishment of the covenant between them.
Verse
1: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and
said to him, 'I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.'"
At
the age of ninety-nine, Abram receives a visitation from the LORD. God
introduces Himself as "Almighty God" and instructs Abram to walk
before Him and be blameless. This emphasizes the importance of living a
righteous and faithful life in the presence of God.
Verse
2: "And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you
exceedingly."
God
assures Abram that He will establish a covenant between them. Within this
covenant, God promises to multiply Abram's descendants significantly,
indicating that he will become the father of many nations.
Verse
3: "Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:"
Overwhelmed
by God's presence and the promises He is making, Abram humbly falls on his face
before God. This position reflects his reverence and submission to God. God
continues to speak to him.
Verse
4: "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father
of many nations."
God
reaffirms His covenant with Abram, emphasizing that it is a covenant directly
between Him and Abram. God reiterates that Abram will indeed become the father
of many nations, emphasizing the fulfillment of this promise.
Verse
5: "No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be
Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations."
God
changes Abram's name to Abraham, which carries a significant meaning. The name
"Abraham" means "father of a multitude" or "father of
many nations," symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promise to make him
the patriarch of numerous descendants.
Verse
6: "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you,
and kings shall come from you."
God
further emphasizes the magnitude of His promise to Abraham. Not only will
Abraham have many descendants, but nations will also arise from him, and kings
will emerge from his lineage. This demonstrates the future importance and
influence of Abraham's descendants.
Verse
7: "And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants
after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you
and your descendants after you."
God
clarifies that the covenant established with Abraham is not limited to him
alone but extends to his future generations. It is an everlasting covenant,
indicating that it will endure throughout the generations. God promises to be
their God and the God of their descendants, signifying a continuous
relationship and divine protection.
Verse
8: "Also, I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which
you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession, and I
will be their God."
God
designates the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession for Abraham and his
descendants. Canaan is the promised land, a place of inheritance for Abraham's
descendants. In addition to the land, God reiterates His commitment to be their
God, emphasizing the close relationship between Himself and Abraham's lineage.
Verse
9-10: "And God said to Abraham: 'As for you, you shall keep My covenant,
you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My
covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after
you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised.'"
God
instructs Abraham to fulfill his part of the covenant. Both he and his
descendants are to keep the covenant throughout the generations. The specific
command given is the practice of circumcision, where every male child among
Abraham's descendants is to be circumcised as a physical sign of their
participation in the covenant. This act symbolizes their separation and
dedication to God and serves as a constant reminder of their covenant
relationship.
Verses
11 to 20 of Genesis 17 continue the conversation between God and Abraham,
focusing on the significance of circumcision and the promise of a son through
Sarah.
Verse
11: "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it
shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you."
God
reiterates the command for Abraham to undergo circumcision. The circumcision of
the flesh of the foreskin is to serve as a visible and permanent sign of the
covenant between God and Abraham. It distinguishes Abraham and his descendants
as participants in the covenant relationship with God.
Verse
12: "He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male
child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money
from any foreigner who is not your descendant."
God
provides instructions for the application of circumcision. Every male child,
whether born into Abraham's household or acquired through purchase, is to be
circumcised on the eighth day of their lives. This command applies to future
generations as well, emphasizing the enduring nature of the covenant and its
sign.
Verse
13: "He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money
must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting
covenant."
God
emphasizes the universality of circumcision within Abraham's household. Both
those born into the household and those acquired as slaves or servants must
undergo circumcision. The covenant marked in their flesh serves as an everlasting
reminder of their relationship with God.
Verse
14: "And the uncircumcised male child, who is not circumcised in the flesh
of his foreskin, that person shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My
covenant."
God
establishes a serious consequence for neglecting circumcision. Any male child
who is not circumcised and thus not marked by the covenant is to be cut off
from his people. This exclusion from the community signifies a severance of the
covenant relationship and highlights the importance of obedience to God's
command.
Verse
15: "Then God said to Abraham, 'As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call
her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.'"
God
now turns the conversation to Abraham's wife, Sarai. He declares that her name
will be changed to Sarah. This change signifies a shift in her identity and
role, as she is about to receive a specific promise from God.
Verse
16: "And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will
bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from
her."
God
reveals His plan to bless Sarah and grant her a son. He assures Abraham that
through Sarah, he will have a son, and Sarah herself will be blessed.
Furthermore, God promises that Sarah will become a mother of nations, and kings
will arise from her lineage. This affirms the significance of Sarah's role in
the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.
Verse
17: "Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart,
'Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah,
who is ninety years old, bear a child?'"
Upon
hearing God's promise, Abraham reacts with a mix of astonishment and humor. He
falls on his face and laughs, contemplating the idea of having a child at his
advanced age of one hundred and Sarah's age of ninety. Abraham's response
reflects both a sense of awe at God's power and a touch of doubt regarding the
feasibility of the promise.
Verse
18: "And Abraham said to God, 'Oh, that Ishmael might live before
You!'"
Abraham
expresses his desire that Ishmael, his son born to Hagar, might be the one
through whom the covenant is fulfilled. He offers Ishmael as a possible
candidate to God, seeking assurance that his firstborn will not be overlooked
or excluded from God's blessings.
Verse
19: "Then God said: 'No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you
shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an
everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.'"
God
responds to Abraham's plea and affirms that the promised son will come through
Sarah. God specifies that the child's name will be Isaac. Furthermore, God
assures Abraham that His covenant will be established with Isaac and his
descendants, emphasizing the everlasting nature of this covenant.
Verse
20: "And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and
will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget
twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation."
God
addresses Abraham's concern for Ishmael and assures him that Ishmael will also
receive blessings. God promises to bless Ishmael, making him fruitful and
multiplying his descendants greatly. Ishmael will become the father of twelve
princes, and a great nation will arise from him. Although the covenant will be
established through Isaac, God shows His favor and care for Ishmael as well.
In
these verses, God provides instructions regarding circumcision, changes Sarai's
name to Sarah, promises a son through her, clarifies that the covenant will be
established through Isaac, and assures Abraham of blessings upon Ishmael. This
dialogue solidifies the details of God's plan and reaffirms His faithfulness to
fulfill His promises.
Verses
21 to 27 of Genesis 17 continue the narrative of God's interaction with Abraham
and the implementation of circumcision. Here is an explanation of each verse:
Verse
21: "But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to
you at this set time next year."
God
reiterates that His covenant will specifically be established through Isaac,
the son who will be born to Sarah. God specifies the timing, stating that Sarah
will bear Isaac at the appointed time, which is set to be within the coming
year. This reaffirms God's plan and timeline for the fulfillment of His
promise.
Verse
22: "Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from
Abraham."
Having
completed the conversation and the imparting of His message to Abraham, God
concludes His direct communication with him and departs. This signifies the end
of their encounter and the completion of the revelation.
Verse
23: "So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and
all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house,
and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had
said to him."
Abraham
immediately acts in obedience to God's command. He gathers Ishmael, his son, as
well as all the males born in his household and those acquired through
purchase. On that very day, in accordance with God's instruction, Abraham
proceeds to circumcise the flesh of their foreskins. This demonstrates
Abraham's prompt response and commitment to fulfilling God's command.
Verse
24: "Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the
flesh of his foreskin."
The
verse states Abraham's age at the time of his circumcision, emphasizing that it
occurred when he was ninety-nine years old. This detail highlights Abraham's
obedience and willingness to undergo the physical sign of the covenant, despite
his advanced age.
Verse
25: "And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in
the flesh of his foreskin."
The
verse specifies the age of Ishmael at the time of his circumcision, noting that
he was thirteen years old. Ishmael's circumcision marked his inclusion in the
covenant and demonstrated his participation in the covenantal sign along with
Abraham and the other males in their household.
Verse
26: "That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son
Ishmael;"
The
verse reiterates the immediate action taken by Abraham and Ishmael. Both
Abraham and his son were circumcised on the same day, emphasizing the
simultaneous adherence to God's command and the unity of their participation in
the covenantal sign.
Verse
27: "and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money
from a foreigner, were circumcised with him."
The
verse concludes by noting that all the males in Abraham's household, whether
born into the household or acquired through purchase, underwent circumcision
along with him. This inclusivity underscores the fulfillment of God's command
and the establishment of circumcision as a shared mark of the covenant for all
the males within Abraham's household.
Important Points
· God
appears to Abram (later Abraham) when he is ninety-nine years old and
establishes a covenant with him.
· God
promises to multiply Abram's descendants exceedingly and make him the father of
many nations.
· Abram's
name is changed to Abraham, signifying his role as the father of a multitude.
· God
promises to give Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan as an
everlasting possession.
· The
covenant is marked by the practice of circumcision, with every male child in
Abraham's household to be circumcised on the eighth day.
· Circumcision
serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants.
· God
promises to bless Abraham's wife Sarai (later Sarah) and assures him that she
will bear him a son named Isaac.
· God
establishes that the covenant will be established through Isaac, not through
Abraham's firstborn son Ishmael.
· Ishmael
is also promised blessings, including becoming a great nation with twelve
princes.
· Abraham
immediately obeys God's command and circumcises himself, Ishmael, and all the
males in his household.
· Abraham's
age and Ishmael's age at the time of circumcision are specified.
· The
chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the
faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises.
These
key points highlight the establishment of the covenant, the change of names,
the practice of circumcision, the promise of Isaac's birth, and the distinction
between the roles of Ishmael and Isaac in the fulfillment of the covenant. The
chapter showcases Abraham's obedience and God's faithfulness in carrying out
His plans.
Quotable Quotes
"I
am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless." - Genesis 17:1
This
quote highlights God's introduction to Abram (Abraham) and sets the expectation
of walking before God with blamelessness, emphasizing the importance of living
a righteous life in God's presence.
"I
will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings
shall come from you." - Genesis 17:6
God's
promise to Abraham emphasizes the magnitude of blessings that await him. This
quote expresses the assurance of abundant descendants and the future rise of
kings from Abraham's lineage.
"Every
male child among you shall be circumcised." - Genesis 17:10
This
command from God introduces the practice of circumcision as a physical sign of
the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. It emphasizes the
importance of obedience and commitment to the covenant relationship.
"I
will bless her [Sarah] and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her,
and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her."
- Genesis 17:16
In
this quote, God assures Abraham that Sarah will bear him a son. It highlights
the significance of Sarah's role in the fulfillment of God's promises,
proclaiming her as a mother of nations and the source of future kings.
"Is
anything too hard for the LORD?" - Genesis 18:14
Though
this quote is from a subsequent chapter, it captures the essence of God's power
and ability to accomplish the seemingly impossible. It serves as a reminder of
God's limitless capabilities and invites trust and faith in His plans and
promises.
These
quotes encapsulate key themes and promises from Genesis 17, reflecting God's
sovereignty, faithfulness, and the expectations He places on Abraham and his
descendants.