Genesis 17:21-23
“21 But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year.” 22 When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. 23 On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.”
Genesis 17:21-23 Meaning
In Genesis 17:21-23, God is reaffirming His covenant with Abraham. He promises Abraham that his wife Sarah will bear him a son named Isaac within the year. It is through Isaac that God’s covenant will be established. Following this conversation, Abraham immediately obeys God’s commandment to circumcise himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household.
Genesis 17:21-23 Commentary and Explanation
God reaffirms His covenant with Abraham and provides further instructions on how this covenant will be fulfilled in Genesis 17:21-23.
In verse 21, God specifies that His covenant will be established with Isaac, the child whom Sarah will bear to Abraham by the following year. This declaration highlights God’s sovereignty and divine timing. It emphasizes that His covenantal promises are not just theoretical, but they will manifest in a concrete and miraculous way through the birth of Isaac. This verse reminds us of God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
The reference to Isaac is significant in light of previous events in Abraham’s life. Earlier, in Genesis 16, Abraham had a son named Ishmael with Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar, in an attempt to fulfill God’s promise in his own way. However, God’s covenantal blessings are reserved for Isaac, the child of promise. This underscores the importance of trusting in God’s timing and methods rather than relying on our own human efforts.
In verse 22, we see that after God had finished speaking with Abraham, He ascended from his presence. This ascent symbolizes the conclusion of their interaction and reaffirms the divine origin of the covenant. It serves as a reminder that God is not bound by earthly constraints and is always in control.
Verse 23 details Abraham’s immediate obedience to God’s command. On the very day God spoke to him, Abraham took action by circumcising not only his son Isaac but also every male in his household, including Ishmael and those bought with his money. This act of circumcision is significant because it represents the outward sign of the covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants, as established in Genesis 17:10-14. This act of obedience demonstrates Abraham’s devotion to God and his commitment to passing down the covenant to future generations.
The act of circumcision, as we see in other biblical passages, becomes a recurring theme in the Old Testament, symbolizing the separation of God’s chosen people and their commitment to His covenant. It is further emphasized in passages like Deuteronomy 10:16 and Deuteronomy 30:6, where circumcision of the heart is emphasized as a spiritual requirement for God’s people.
Genesis 17:21-23 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness, His divine timing, and the importance of obediently following His commands. It also highlights the contrast between human efforts (represented by Ishmael) and God’s sovereign plan (represented by Isaac). These verses set the stage for the unfolding of God’s covenant with Abraham and the subsequent generations, shaping the course of biblical history.
Also Read: Genesis 17:15-17 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Genesis 17:21-23
These verses come from Genesis 17, a chapter that recounts God’s covenant with Abraham. Prior to this chapter, Abraham had already demonstrated great faith and obedience to God. He had left his homeland, responded to God’s call, and followed God’s instructions. In Genesis 15, God made a covenant with Abraham, promising him a great number of descendants and the land of Canaan as their inheritance.
In Genesis 17, God appears to Abraham again and reaffirms His covenant. He changes Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of many nations,” and Sarai’s name to Sarah, declaring that she will be the mother of nations.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of the bible verses
“But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year”: God makes it clear that His covenant will be established through the birth of Isaac. This reveals God’s plan to fulfill His promises through specific individuals and generations.
“When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him”: After renewing the covenant and giving Abraham further instructions, God departs, signifying the conclusion of their conversation. God’s presence with Abraham was a significant sign of His special relationship with him.
“On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him”: Abraham immediately obeys God’s command by circumcising himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household as a sign of the covenant. This demonstrates Abraham’s faithfulness and willingness to follow God’s instructions without delay.
Lessons From Genesis 17:21-23
These verses teach us several important lessons:
- God is faithful to His promises: Despite the seemingly impossible circumstances, God fulfills His covenant with Abraham by enabling Sarah to conceive and give birth to Isaac. We can trust that God will also be faithful to fulfill His promises in our lives, even when they seem unlikely or far-fetched.
- Obedience is an expression of faith: Abraham’s immediate obedience to God’s command to circumcise himself and his household is evidence of his faith and trust in God. Obedience to God’s instructions is not simply an obligation but a response of faith, knowing that God’s ways are always the best.
- God’s timing is perfect: God specifies that Sarah will bear a son within the year, emphasizing His sovereignty over time. Even when it seems like God’s promises are delayed, His timing is always perfect. We need to trust in His divine timing and continue to have faith in His promises.
Biblical Translations of Genesis 17:21-23
Genesis 17:21-23 King James Version (KJV)
“21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. 22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.”
Genesis 17:21-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this season next year.” 22 When He finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 23 Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all the servants born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the very same day, as God had said to him.”
Genesis 17:21-23 English Standard Version (ESV)
“21 But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.” 22 When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham. 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.”
Genesis 17:21-23 New King James Version (NKJV)
“21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” 22 Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 23 So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him.”
Genesis 17:21-23 New Living Translation (NLT)
“21 But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.” 22 When God had finished speaking, he left Abraham. 23 On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him.”
Genesis 17:21-23 The Message (MSG)
“21 But I will confirm my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will give you about this time next year.” 22 God finished speaking with Abraham and left. 23 Then Abraham took his son Ishmael and all his servants, whether houseborn or purchased—every male in his household—and circumcised them, cutting off their foreskin that very day, just as God had told him.”
Final Thoughts
The covenant God made with Abraham and the subsequent obedience displayed by Abraham serve as powerful examples of faith and trust in God. Through this passage, we are reminded of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and the importance of our obedience and submission to His will.
Just as God fulfilled His covenant with Abraham, we can have confidence that God will fulfill His promises in our lives as we faithfully follow Him. Let us trust in His perfect timing and remain obedient to His commands, knowing that He is a faithful God who honors those who seek Him.