About the Book
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Chapter Analysis
Chapter 17: The Covenant of Circumcision
Background History and Timeline:Â Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, was written around the 15th century BCE. It covers events from the creation of the world to the patriarchs of Israel.
Locations Mentioned:Â The chapter primarily focuses on the region of Canaan, where Abram resides.
Themes and Conflicts:Â Genesis 17 records God's renewal of His covenant with Abram, including the change of his name to Abraham and the institution of circumcision as a sign of the covenant. It explores themes of covenant, obedience, and the fulfillment of divine promises.
Main Characters:Â Abraham, Sarah, and God are the main characters in this chapter.
Specific Passages:
Genesis 17:4-5: "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations."
Genesis 17:10-11: "This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you."
Explanation:Â Genesis 17 details God's covenant with Abram, now renamed Abraham, and promises to make him the father of many nations. God establishes circumcision as the sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham's descendants, signifying their consecration and commitment to God.
The chapter underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and Abraham's obedience in response to God's commands. It also anticipates the future blessings that will come through Abraham's offspring.
Genesis 17 marks a significant development in the biblical narrative, solidifying the covenantal relationship between God and Abraham and laying the foundation for the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through the nation of Israel.
Moses is traditionally attributed as the author of Genesis, including Chapter 17.
Religious Text
Gen 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "| am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, Gen 17:2 that | may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly." Gen 17:3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, Gen 17:4 "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. Gen 17:5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for | have made you the father of a multitude of nations. Gen 17:6 | will make you exceedingly fruitful, and | will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. Gen 17:7 And | will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. Gen 17:8 And | will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and | will be their God." Gen 17:9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. Gen 17:10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. Gen 17:11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. Gen 17:12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, Gen 17:13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. Gen 17:14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant." Gen 17:15 And God said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. Gen 17:16 | will bless her, and moreover, | will give you a son by her. | will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her." Gen 17:17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?" Gen 17:18 And Abraham said to God, "Oh that Ishmael might live before you!" Gen 17:19 God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. | will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. Gen 17:20 As for Ishmael, | have heard you; behold, | have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and | will make him into a great nation. Gen 17:21 But will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year." Gen 17:22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. Gen 17:23 Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him. Gen 17:24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Gen 17:25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. Gen 17:26 That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. Gen 17:27 And all the men of his house, those born in the house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.