Genesis 17
Summary for Gen 17:1-27: 17:1-27 a God now gave the family signs that the promises would be fulfilled. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham (17:1-8 b), instituted the rite of circumcision as the sign of the covenant (17:9-14 c, 23-27 d), and changed Sarai’s name to Sarah (17:15-22 e). 17:1 f El-Shaddai: This name for God emphasizes his power (see also 28:3 g; 35:11 h; 43:14 i; 48:3 j; 49:25 k).• Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life: Being a blessing to the nations required obedience from Abram; his conduct would be guided by Almighty God.
Summary for Gen 17:4-5: 17:4-5 l God guaranteed his promise by changing Abram’s name. Abram referred to his noble lineage, as Terah was the “exalted father” (11:27 m). His new name, Abraham (Hebrew ’ab hamon) was a wordplay on the promise of his own progeny (see also John 8:31-59 n; Rom 4:16-17 o; Gal 3:7 p, 15-19 q, 29 r). Whenever the new name was used, he and his household would remember that a multitude of nations would issue from him.
17:6 s kings will be among them! This is the first indication that Israel would become a monarchy (see also 35:11 t; 36:31 u; Num 24:7 v; Deut 17:14-18 w; 28:36 x).
Summary for Gen 17:7-8: 17:7-8 y The land of Canaan was to be an everlasting possession for the descendants of Abraham; the Lord would be their God forever (see Jer 31:31-40 z; Zech 8:8 aa; Luke 1:68-79 ab; Rev 21:1-4 ac).
Summary for Gen 17:9-14: 17:9-14 ad God gave circumcision as a confirming sign that reminded all households of loyalty to the covenant.
17:14 ae will be cut off: This punishment seems to have several applications. A person could be exiled from society or put to death by the community; most often it warned that a person might die prematurely as God cut him off from the land of the living (see Exod 31:14 af; Lev 7:20-27 ag; 17:3-4 ah; 20:17-18 ai; 23:28-29 aj; Num 15:30-31 ak; see also Ps 31:22 al; Ezek 21:4 am; Rom 9:3 an; 11:22 ao). Failure to be circumcised was a serious violation (see Exod 4:24-26 ap; cp. Gal 5:2-4 aq).
Summary for Gen 17:15-16: 17:15-16 ar Sarah: The new name, fitting for one who would be the mother of kings, was a milestone in Sarah’s calling and brought attention to the promise.
Summary for Gen 17:17-18: 17:17-18 as Abraham laughed (Hebrew yitskhaq) because the promise seemed unbelievable; he had begun to believe that his line would come through Ishmael. But Abraham and Sarah would have a son of their own.
17:19 at The name Isaac (Hebrew yitskhaq, “he laughs”) would constantly recall Abraham’s disbelieving laughter when he heard the promise. It was also a reminder of God’s favor and his pleasure in the birth (cp. 21:6 au).
Summary for Gen 17:20-21: 17:20-21 av Ishmael would not be abandoned; his family would prosper (see 25:13-16 aw), but the covenant promises were for Isaac.
Summary for Gen 17:23-27: 17:23-27 ax Having received God’s word about Isaac, Abraham immediately complied with God’s instructions. He implemented the rite of circumcision as an act of faith; it signified their participation in the covenant (cp. Rom 4:11-12 ay; Gal 5:2-6 az, 11 ba; 6:15 bb; Phil 3:2-3 bc; Col 2:11-12 bd; 1 Pet 3:21 be).
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