Gen 17:4-6 | MHM | STEP | Genesis 17:4-6: The Covenant Promise and Abraham’s New Name In these verses, God continues to explain His covenant with Abraham. The promise is given in a very serious and special way, showing that it is God’s own plan and gift. God says Abraham will be the father of many nations, not just through his physical descendants but also spiritually, as the father of all who believe. As a sign of this, God changes his name from Abram to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude.” This new name is a way to honor Abraham and to strengthen his faith in God’s promises (Genesis 17:4-6 ). v. 4 : God introduces the promise by saying, “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee.” This makes the promise personal and certain. The covenant of grace is something God designs and gives, and He is proud of it. We can be sure of it because it is God’s own work (Genesis 17:2 ).

‏ Genesis 17:4-6

Genesis 17:4-6: The Covenant Promise and Abraham’s New Name

In these verses, God continues to explain His covenant with Abraham. The promise is given in a very serious and special way, showing that it is God’s own plan and gift. God says Abraham will be the father of many nations, not just through his physical descendants but also spiritually, as the father of all who believe. As a sign of this, God changes his name from Abram to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude.” This new name is a way to honor Abraham and to strengthen his faith in God’s promises (Genesis 17:4-6 ^a).

v. 4: God introduces the promise by saying, “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee.” This makes the promise personal and certain. The covenant of grace is something God designs and gives, and He is proud of it. We can be sure of it because it is God’s own work (Genesis 17:2 ^b).

v. 5: God changes Abram’s name to Abraham. “Abram” means “high father,” but “Abraham” means “father of a multitude.” This new name shows honor and is a sign of God’s promise. In the Bible, having a new name often means special favor from God (Isaiah 62:2 ^c). Believers also receive a new name in Christ (Revelation 2:17 ^d). The new name also encourages Abraham to trust God’s word, even though he has only one son now. God sometimes calls things that are not yet real as if they already exist (Romans 4:17 ^e).

v. 6: God promises that Abraham will become very fruitful. Many nations and even kings will come from him. This is true both in a physical way—because many people will come from his family—and in a spiritual way, because believers from many nations are his children by faith (Romans 4:16-17; Ephesians 3:15 ^f).