Genesis 17:4

Translations

Modern

“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.

Traditional

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Literal

“As for me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.

Latin

Dixitque ei Deus: Ego sum, et pactum meum tecum, erisque pater multarum gentium.

Original

Hebrew

English

“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.

Notes

Genesis 17:4–5

God guaranteed his promise by changing Abram’s name. Abram means “exalted father.” This referred to his father Terah and his noble lineage (11:27). His new name, Abraham (Hebrew ’ab hamon), means "father of a multitude." This was a wordplay on the promise of his countless descendants (see also John 8:31–59; Romans 4:16–17; Galatians 3:7, 15–19, 29). Whenever the new name was used, he and his household would remember that a multitude of nations would come from him.

Genesis 17:1–27

God gave Abram's family signs that his promises would come true. He changed Abram's name to Abraham (17:1–8). He established circumcision as the sign of the covenant (17:9–14, 23–27). He changed Sarai's name to Sarah (17:15–22).

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Circumcision God’s Covenant with Abraham God’s Covenant with David God’s Covenant with Noah Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 35:11
And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
Romans 4:11–18
And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.
Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Galatians 3:28–29
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Genesis 25:1–18
Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah,
Genesis 36:1–43
This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom).
Genesis 32:12
But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”
Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.
Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
Genesis 48:19
But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
Genesis 16:10
Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”
Numbers 26:1–65
After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest,

Glossary

Abraham Adam (Person) Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Biblical Concept of Law Circumcision Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Ebla Tablets Genealogy of Jesus Christ Genesis, Book of God, Names of Grace Patriarchs, Period of the Promise

Topics

Abraham: God's Covenant With Circumcision: Covenant Promises of Covenant: Abraham The Covenant: Made With: Abraham

Genesis 17:4

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