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Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 17:16

(16) A son . . . of her.—This is the first place where it was definitely promised that Abram’s heir should be Sarah’s own son. This must be remembered in estimating the conduct of Abram and Sarah in the matter of Hagar. They had long waited, and hoped, before taking measures of their own for the fulfilment of the promise. The rest of the verse should be translated, “she shall become (grow into) nations: kings of peoples shall become of her, that is, “shall spring from her.” read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 17:1-27

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:1-27

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

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 17:1-27

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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:1-27

THE COVENANT AND ITS SIGN - CIRCUMCISION Another thirteen years passes before the Lord's appearing to Abram now at the age of 99 years. In Chapter 15:1 He had told Abram, "I am your shield, your exceeding great reward." Now He tells him, "I am Almighty God" (v.1). He does not emphasize the fact of His faithful protecting care for Abram, as He did before, but the fact of His own great power. Based on this, He tells Abram to walk before Him and be blameless. Also, because He knew that Abram's... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 17:8-17

Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? It is profitable to observe, how God's purposes are accomplished, concerning the fulfilment of this promise. As this child was a child of promise, Sarah shall be left past the period allowed to child-bearing, that God's grace in the gift, might more illustriously appear. Surely that song of the Church, sung in after... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:16

Bless, and enable her to have a son, who shall also have many children. --- Whom. This is referred to Sara, in Hebrew and Chaldean; but to Isaac, in the Syriac. The blessing, at any rate, reverts to the mother; who was a figure of the blessed Virgin, and of the Church; both persecuted with their children; both, in the end, triumphant. (Galatians iv. 23.) (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:15-22

15-22 Here is the promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, in whom the promise made to him should be fulfilled. The assurance of this promise was the change of Sarai's name into Sarah. Sarai signifies my princess, as if her honour were confined to one family only; Sarah signifies a princess. The more favours God confers upon us, the more low we should be in our own eyes. Abraham showed great joy; he laughed, it was a laughter of delight, not of distrust. Now it was that Abraham rejoiced to... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 17:15-22

A Child Promised to Sarah v. 15. And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai, thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. This change of names is significant, for the wife of Abraham, heretofore known as Sarai, "the princely," "heroine," was hereafter to be called Sarah, "princess," as the ancestress of princes and kings. Thus the promise of God narrowed down, first from a member of Abraham's household to a son of his own body, and now to his own son by Sarah, his... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Genesis 17:1-27

SIXTH SECTIONAbram and the repeated Promise of God. The name Abram changed to Abraham. The personal Covenant of Faith, now a Covenant Institution for him, his Household and his Seed. Circumcision. The name Sarai changed to Sarah. The new Names. The promised one not Ishmael, but IsaacGenesis 17:1-271And when [after the lapse of a long period] Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him. I am the Almighty God [El Shaddai]; walk before me, and be thou... read more

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