Genesis 17:3. And Abram fell on his face while God talked with him Either, 1st, As one overcome by the brightness of the divine glory; as Daniel and John also were. Or, 2d, As one ashamed of himself, and blushing to think of the honours done to one so unworthy. He looks upon himself with humility, and upon God with reverence; and, in token of both, falls on his face. read more
Genesis 17:4. The promise is here introduced with solemnity: As for me, saith the great God, behold Admire, and be assured of it; my covenant is with thee; and thou shalt be a father of many nations This implies, 1st, That his seed after the flesh should be very numerous, both in Isaac and in Ishmael, and in the sons of Keturah. And the event answered; for there have been, and are, more of the children of men descended from Abraham, than from any one man at an equal distance with him... read more
Genesis 17:5. In token of this, his name was changed from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the father of a multitude. This was to confirm the faith of Abraham, while he was childless; perhaps even his own name was sometimes an occasion of grief to him: Why should he be called a high father, who was not a father at all? But now, God having promised him a numerous issue, and given him a name which signified so much, that name was his joy. read more
Genesis 17:7. And I will establish my covenant Not to be altered or revoked; not with thee only, then it would die with thee; but with thy seed after thee Especially thy spiritual seed. It is everlasting in the evangelical meaning of it, from everlasting in the counsels of it, and to everlasting in the consequences of it. This is a covenant of exceeding great and precious promises. Here are two which indeed are all-sufficient: one is, that God would be a God to him and to his seed.... read more
Genesis 17:8. And I will give thee Canaan for an everlasting possession As a type of heaven, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of God. This is that better country to which Abraham had an eye, and the grant of which was that which answered the vast extent of that promise, that God would be to them a God; so that if God had not designed this, he would have been ashamed to be called their God, Hebrews 11:16. As the land of Canaan was secured to the seed of Abraham,... read more
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
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . Almighty GOD = El Shaddai. First occ See App-4 . This title assures Abram that He Who had called him was almighty to supply all his need. Compare first occurance in N.T. (2 Corinthians 6:18 ), which assures us of the same supply. walk = continue to walk. read more
exceedingly. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) . App-6 . read more
fell. Compare Mary (John 11:32 ) and contrast Martha (John 11:21 ). God = Elohim , Creator. Used in this ch. (verses: Genesis 17:3 , Genesis 17:9 , Genesis 17:15 , Genesis 3:18 , Genesis 3:22 , Genesis 3:23 ) because He creates new names (verses: Genesis 17:5 , Genesis 17:15 ), a new Sign of Covenant (verses: Genesis 17:9-14 ), and a new thing, from one as good as dead (Hebrews 11:12 ). read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 17:1
Genesis 17:1. And when Abram was ninety-nine years old Full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael. So long the promise of Isaac was deferred; 1st, Perhaps to correct Abram’s over-hasty marrying of Hagar. 2d, That Abram and Sarai being so far stricken in age, God’s power in this matter might be the more magnified. The Lord appeared unto Abram In some visible display of his glory. And said, I am the almighty God By this name he chose to make himself known to Abram, Isaac, and Jacob,... read more