Genesis 17:1-27 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:1-3

Here is, I. The time when God made Abram this gracious visit: When he was ninety-nine years old, full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. 1. So long, it should seem, God's extraordinary appearances to Abram were intermitted; and all the communion he had with God was only in the usual was of ordinances and providences. Note, There are some special comforts which are not the daily bread, no, not of the best saints, but they are favoured with them now and then. On this side heaven they... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:4-6

The promise here is introduced with solemnity: ?As for me,? says the great God, ?behold, behold and admire it, behold and be assured of it, my covenant is with thee;? as before (Gen. 17:2), I will make my covenant. Note, The covenant of grace is a covenant of God's own making; this he glories in (as for me), and so may we. Now here, I. It is promised to Abraham that he should be a father of many nations; that is, 1. That his seed after the flesh should be very numerous, both in Isaac and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:7-14

Here is, I. The continuance of the covenant, intimated in three things:?1. It is established; not to be altered nor revoked. It is fixed, it is ratified, it is made as firm as the divine power and truth can make it. 2. It is entailed; it is a covenant, not with Abraham only (then it would die with him), but with his seed after him, not only his seed after the flesh, but his spiritual seed. 3. It is everlasting in the evangelical sense and meaning of it. The covenant of grace is everlasting. It... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:15-22

Here is, I. The promise made to Abraham of a son by Sarai, that son in whom the promise made to him should be fulfilled, that he should be the father of many nations; for she also shall be a mother of nations, and kings of people shall be of her, Gen. 17:16. Note, 1. God reveals the purposes of his good-will to his people by degrees. God had told Abraham long before that he should have a son, but never till now that he should have a son by Sarai. 2. The blessing of the Lord makes fruitful, and... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:23-27

We have here Abraham's obedience to the law of circumcision. He himself and all his family were circumcised, so receiving the token of the covenant and distinguishing themselves from other families, that had no part nor lot in the matter. 1. It was an implicit obedience: He did as God had said to him, and did not ask why or wherefore. God's will was not only a law to him, but a reason; he did it because God told him. 2. It was a speedy obedience: In the self-same day, Gen. 17:23, 26. Sincere... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine ,.... Which was thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael last mentioned; so many years more it was before be is expressly told he should have a son by Sarai, or had the promise of Isaac, which was for the trial of his faith; and his age is here observed, that the power of God might be more manifest in fulfilling his promise, and giving him a son by Sarai: the Lord appeared to Abram ; in a visible manner, in an human form very probably, even... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:2

And I will make my covenant between me and thee ,.... The covenant of circumcision, so called from the token of it, which God is said to make or give F5 אתנה "dabo", Pagninus, Montanus, Schmidt. , being his own constitution, and depended on his sovereign will and pleasure, see Acts 7:8 , and will multiply thee exceedingly ; as he had before promised at several times, and now renews it, lest be should think that Ishmael was the promised seed; for though Hagar's seed is promised... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:3

And Abram fell on his face ,.... At the sight of so glorious a Person that appeared to him, and in reverence of his majesty, and as sensible of his unworthiness of such a visit, and of having such favours bestowed upon him; and not because he was not as yet circumcised, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it; and so other Jewish F6 Jarchi in loc. Pirke Eliezer, ut supra. (c. 29.) writers observe, that before he was circumcised he fell, when God spoke to him, but afterwards he sat and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:4

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee ,.... Who was gracious to make it, faithful to keep it, and immutable in it, though Abram was but a man, and sinful: and thou shalt be a father of many nations : as he was of many Arabian nations, and of the Turks in the line of Ishmael; and of the Midianites, and others, in the line of his sons by Keturah; and of the Israelites in the line of Isaac, as well as of the Edomites in the line of Esau; and in a spiritual sense the father of all... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:5

Neither shall thy name be any more called Abram ,.... Which signifies an "high father", which name he bore for many years before he was the father of anyone: but thy name shall be Abraham : with all addition of the letter ה inserted into it, and makes the last syllable two, "raham": which word in the Arabic language, as Hottinger F7 observes, signifies "numerous" F8 ; so that with this addition his name Abraham may be interpreted, the father of a numerous offspring; and... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:1-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:4-6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:7-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:15-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 17:23-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:4

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:5

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