Genesis 17

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Genesis 17:18

Genesis A PETULANT WISH Gen_17:18 . These words sound very devout, and they have often been used by Christian parents yearning for the best interests of their children, and sometimes of their wayward and prodigal children. But consecrated as they are by that usage, I am afraid that their meaning, as they were uttered, was nothing so devout and good as that which is often attached to them. 1. Note the temper in which Abraham speaks here. The very existence of Ishmael was a memorial of... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 17:1-14

God’s Covenant with Abraham Genesis 17:1-14 At least thirteen years had passed since the promise of Isaac was first made. Years of sorrow and discipline, but God had not forgotten. Always under such circumstances the Eternal voice bids us to walk before him and be perfect. Our surrender must be complete, our obedience absolute, our faith fixed steadfastly on the Promiser. So only can God fulfill His covenant, which includes fruitfulness, the salvation of our households, the inheritance and... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 17:15-27

Isaac Is Promised Genesis 17:15-27 There are two allusions to laughter in these chapters. Sarah’s was the laugh of incredulity, see Genesis 18:12 ; but Abraham’s was the laugh of happy confidence, which reckoned on God. As r.v. puts it, he looked his difficulties in the face, and then turned away to the promise of God, and wavered not, but waxed strong, giving glory to God. Ponder Romans 4:20-21 . Therefore, he obtained promises for his wife, for Ishmael, and for the coming child, which was... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Genesis 17:1-27

This chapter gives the account of the fifth appearance of God to Abram in which a divine covenant was made. At this point his name was changed from Abram, which means exalted father, to Abraham, which means, the father of a multitude. The change was significant, as it placed emphasis not upon the importance of the man, but upon the purpose of God through him. Here Jehovah announced Himself as El-Shaddai, the full meaning of which is God all-sufficient. Abraham yielded himself to the... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 17:1-17

Abram and Sarai Greatly Enlarged Genesis 17:1-17 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We have passed by the sixteenth chapter of Genesis, it behooves us, therefore, to give some striking suggestions relative to Sarai and Hagar, which will link us on to the present study. 1. Sarai's unbelief. Sarai had grown quite old. She had lived many years expecting a son in fulfilment of God's promise. Now, in her old age she proposed to Abram that he marry her maid, Hagar. All of this was a mere subterfuge, trying to... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:2

THE PROMISE RENEWED‘I will make My covenant between Me and thee.’ Genesis 17:2 I. The sun, the moon, the stars, were the old gods of the East—the Elohim, the high and mighty ones, who ruled over men, over their good or bad fortunes, over the weather, the cattle, the crops, sending burning drought, pestilence, sunstroke, and those moonstrokes of which the Psalmist speaks when he says, ‘The sun shall not smite thee by day nor the moon by night.’ And these the old Easterns worshipped in some... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:1-2

‘And when Abram was ninety nine years old Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai (God Almighty). Walk before me and be perfect and I will make my covenant between me and you and will multiply you greatly”.’ Again the number is significant. It indicates that the miracle heir will be born when Abram is ‘one hundred’, in other words at God’s perfect timing. (Note however that Abraham can at the same time describe himself as ‘a hundred years old’ (Genesis 17:17 - compare Genesis... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:3-8

Genesis 17:4 ‘And Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying, “As for me, behold my covenant is with you and you will be the father of a multitude of nations”.’ The presence of Yahweh is so real and awe-inspiring that Abram ‘falls on his face’ as before a great king (compare Genesis 17:22 - which demonstrates that this is a genuine theophany). The title ‘God’ is used because Yahweh is here representing Himself as ‘God Almighty’ (El Shaddai). So throughout this passage He is spoken... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:9-11

‘And God said to Abraham, “And as for you, you will keep my covenant, you and your seed after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant that you shall keep between me and you and your seed after you, every male among you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin, and it will be a token of a covenant between me and you”.’ In Genesis 15 a sign was given to Abram in the form of a covenant ceremony where the blood of animals was shed to seal the... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:15

‘And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you will not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah (princess).” The new name again stresses a new beginning in a new situation. Sarah is to share in Abraham’s honour and her position as the producer of the chosen line is emphasised. She is given a new dignity and brought directly into the covenant, receiving a personal blessing. (Sarai is probably simply an older form of Sarah. It is the change of name and not the change of meaning... read more

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Genesis 17:18

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 17:1-14

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 17:15-27

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Genesis 17:1-27

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Genesis 17:1-17

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:2

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:1-2

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:3-8

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:9-11

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:15

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