(26) In the selfsame day.—Heb., In the bone of this day, and so in Genesis 17:23 (see Genesis 2:23). In the circumcising of the household together with Abraham and his son we see that no impassable interval separated the Hebrew slave from his master, but that he was to share all the national and religious privileges of the freeman. read more
God the Giver Genesis 17:8 'I will give.' That is the text. It is found in Genesis, and therefore in the right place; it is heard in the Apocalypse, and therefore the great Amen cannot be far off. Let us see how the river runs, and walk by it, as it were, hand in hand with God. I. The Lord had to incarnate Himself in little phrases and small toy meanings in order to get at man's imagination, so He says in Genesis XVII, 8, 'I will give unto thee... land'. Do not put a full-stop after 'land'.... read more
THE COVENANT SEALEDGenesis 17:1-27ACCORDING to the dates here given fourteen years had passed since Abram had received any intimation of God’s will regarding him. Since the covenant had been made some twenty years before, no direct communication had been received; and no message of any kind since Ishmael’s birth. It need not, therefore, surprise us that we are often allowed to remain for years in a state of suspense, uncertain about the future, feeling that we need more light and yet unable to... read more
CHAPTER 17 The Fifth Communication and the Covenant Repeated 1. The communication and Abram worships (Genesis 17:1-3 ) 2. The enlarged promise (Genesis 17:4-8 ) 3. The covenant sign (Genesis 17:9-14 ) 4. Sarah’s seed promised (Genesis 17:15-16 ) 5. The laughter of Abraham (Genesis 17:17 ) 6. Abraham’s plea for Ishmael (Genesis 17:18-22 ) 7. Abraham’s obedience (Genesis 17:23-27 ) The promises which the Lord now gives to Abram are most complete. His name is changed; he is now to... read more
17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a {a} father of many nations.(a) Not only physical descendants, but of a far greater multitude by faith, Romans 4:17. read more
17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be {b} Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.(b) The changing of his name is a seal to confirm God’s promise to him. read more
17:10 {c} This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.(c) Circumcision is called the covenant, because it signifies the covenant and has the promise of grace joined to it: a phrase that is common to all ordinances. read more
17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your {d} foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.(d) That private part is circumcised, to show that all that is begotten by man is corrupt, and must die. read more
17:14 And the uncircumcised {e} man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.(e) Though women were not circumcised, they still partook of God’s promise: for under mankind all was consecrated. Here it is declared, that whoever condemns the sign, also despises the promise. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 17:25
(25) Ishmael. . . . was thirteen years old.—Hence the Mohammedans defer circumcision to the thirteenth year. read more