Genesis 17

7. The sign of circumcision ch. 17

The Lord confirmed His covenant with Abram, 13 years after Ishmael’s birth, by reiterating the promises of descendants and land and by commanding Abram to circumcise all the males in his household. Circumcision thereby became the physical demonstration (sign) of the obedient faith of Abram and his descendants. There are three types of signs in the Old Testament. Some signs were proofs that convinced observers of something (e.g., the Egyptian plagues). Others were certain acts that resembled an announced situation (e.g., acted prophecies). Still others were reminders of something (e.g., the rainbow, circumcision). God further encouraged the patriarch’s faith by changing Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah. This was an added confirmation that God would indeed give them innumerable seed as He had promised.

"This chapter is a watershed in the Abraham story. The promises to him have been unfolded bit by bit, gradually building up and becoming more detailed and precise, until here they are repeated and filled out in a glorious crescendo in a long and elaborate divine speech. From this point in Genesis, divine speeches become rarer and little new content is added to the promises, but the fulfillment of these promises becomes more visible." [Note: Wenham, Genesis 16-50, p. 16.]

Really there are five divine speeches: Genesis 17:1 b, Genesis 17:2, Genesis 17:4-8, Genesis 17:9-14, Genesis 17:15-16, and Genesis 17:19-2. The third speech is the center of the chiastic structure of this chapter, which may also be read as two parallel panels, namely, 1-14 and 15-27.

"The chapter is more of a theological treatise than the typical Abraham story . . ." [Note: Mathews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, p. 199.]

Abram undoubtedly assumed that Ishmael would be the promised heir until God told him that Sarai would bear his heir herself (Genesis 17:16). That revelation is the most important feature of this chapter. God gave the name changes and circumcision to confirm the covenant promise of an heir and to strengthen Abram’s faith.