Genesis 17:17

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

John Gill

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

Then Abraham fell upon his face ,.... In reverence of the divine Being, and as amazed at what was told him: and laughed ; not through distrust and diffidence of the promise, as Sarah did, for he staggered not at that through unbelief, but for joy at such good news; and so Onkelos renders it, "and he rejoiced", with the joy of faith; it may be our Lord refers to this in John 8:56 ; he saw Christ in the promise of Isaac, and rejoiced that he should spring from his seed: the Targums of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:17

Then Abraham - laughed - I am astonished to find learned and pious men considering this as a token of Abraham's weakness of faith or unbelief, when they have the most positive assurance from the Spirit of God himself that Abraham was not weak but strong in the faith; that he staggered not at the promise through unbelief, but gave glory to God, Romans 4:19 , Romans 4:20 . It is true the same word is used, Genesis 18:12 , concerning Sarah, in whom it was certainly a sign of doubtfulness,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 17:17

Verse 17 17.And Abraham fell upon his face This was in token, not only of his reverence, but also of his faith. For Abraham not only adores God, but in giving him thanks, testifies that he receives and embraces what was promised concerning a son. Hence also we infer that he laughed, not because he either despised, or regarded as fabulous, or rejected, the promise of God; but, as is commonly wont to happen in things which are least expected, partly exulting with joy, and partly being carried... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 17:15-27

The covenant completed. I. THE ADMISSION OF SARAI . 1. The changed name . As on entering within the covenant the name of Abram was changed to Abraham, so, to signalize the reception of his spouse, Sarai was transformed into Sarah ( vide Exposition), the transformation having in her case the same significance as it had in Abraham's. In particular it proclaimed that, like Abraham, Sarah was now a justified and regenerated believer in the Divine promise. N . B .... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 17:1-27

- The Sealing of the Covenant1. שׁדי shaday, Shaddai, “Irresistible, able to destroy, and by inference to make, Almighty.” שׁדד shādad “be strong, destroy.” This name is found six times in Genesis, and thirty-one times in Job.5. אברהם 'abrâhām, Abraham, from אברם 'abrām “high-father,” and הם hām the radical part of המין hāmôn a “multitude,” is obtained by a euphonic abbreviation אברהם 'abrâhām, “father of a multitude.” The root רהם rhm is a variation of רום rvm; affording, however, a... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 17:17

Genesis 17:17. Then Abraham fell on his face, and laughed It was a laughter of delight, not of distrust. Now it was that Abraham rejoiced to see Christ’s day; now he saw it and was glad; (John 8:56;) for as he saw heaven in the promise of Canaan, so he saw Christ in the promise of Isaac, and said, Shall a child be born to him that is a hundred years old? He doth not here speak of it as at all doubtful, for we are sure he staggered not at the promise, (Romans 4:20,) but as... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 17:1-27

The covenant sealed (17:1-27)As Abram and Sarai grew older, God told them again that he would be faithful to his promises. He revealed himself to them in a new name of power (God Almighty) and gave them each new names (Abraham and Sarah) to emphasize that he would make them parents of a multitude (17:1-6,15-16). The Almighty had made a covenant to be God to Abraham and his descendants, and he would give them Canaan to be their homeland (7-8).To reassure Abraham that he would keep his covenant... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 17:17

laughed: for joy. Hebrew. was joyful. Compare John 8:56 , "rejoiced to see my day . . . and was glad. "The laughter of faith, Romans 4:19 . Sarah did not fall down as Abraham did, Genesis 17:3 . Shall, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. (Compare Hebrews 11:12 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 17:17-19

"Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? And Abraham said unto God, Oh that Ishmael might live before thee! And God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him."There is a sharp difference of opinion among scholars as to how... read more

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