New International VersionThen God said, “Yes, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will call him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
New Living TranslationBut God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.
English Standard VersionGod said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
Berean Standard BibleBut God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
King James BibleAnd God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
New King James VersionThen God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.
New American Standard BibleBut God said, “No, but your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
NASB 1995But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
NASB 1977But God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
Legacy Standard BibleBut God said, “No, but Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.
Amplified BibleBut God said, “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed, and you shall name him Isaac (laughter); and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him.
Christian Standard BibleBut God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a permanent covenant for his future offspring.
Holman Christian Standard BibleBut God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring.
American Standard VersionAnd God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.
Contemporary English VersionBut God answered: No! You and Sarah will have a son. His name will be Isaac, and I will make an everlasting promise to him and his descendants.
English Revised VersionAnd God said, Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationGod replied, "No! Your wife Sarah will give you a son, and you will name him Isaac [He Laughs]. I will make an everlasting promise to him and his descendants.
Good News TranslationBut God said, "No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son and you will name him Isaac. I will keep my covenant with him and with his descendants forever. It is an everlasting covenant.
International Standard VersionBut God replied, "No, but your wife Sarah will give birth to your son, and you are to name him Isaac. I'll confirm my covenant with him as an eternal covenant for his descendants.
NET BibleGod said, "No, Sarah your wife is going to bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant for his descendants after him.
New Heart English BibleAnd God said, "Truly, Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. And I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
World English BibleGod said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand God says, “Your wife Sarah is certainly bearing a son to you, and you have called his name Isaac, and I have established My covenant with him, for a perpetual covenant, to his seed after him.
Young's Literal Translation and God saith, 'Sarah thy wife is certainly bearing a son to thee, and thou hast called his name Isaac, and I have established My covenant with him, for a covenant age-during, to his seed after him.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd God will say. Truly, Sarah thy wife, shall bring forth to thee a son, and shall call his name Isaak: and I set up my covenant with him for a lasting covenant, and to his seed after him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd God said to Abraham: Sara thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him for a perpetual covenant, and with his seed after him.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd God said to Abraham: “Your wife Sarah shall give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant, and with his offspring after him.
New American BibleGod replied: Even so, your wife Sarah is to bear you a son, and you shall call him Isaac. It is with him that I will maintain my covenant as an everlasting covenant and with his descendants after him.
New Revised Standard VersionGod said, “No, but your wife Sarah shall bear you a son, and you shall name him Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd God said to Abraham, Truly, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son; and you shall call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd I have heard you about Ishmayl; behold I have blessed him and I shall increase him and I shall make him abound very greatly. He shall beget twelve Princes and I shall give him a great people. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And God said: 'Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd God said to Abraam, Yea, behold, Sarrha thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name Isaac; and I will establish my covenant with him, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to him and to his seed after him.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Covenant of Circumcision… 18And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” 19But Godreplied,“Your wifeSarahwill indeedbearyoua son,and you are to namehimIsaac.I will establishMy covenantwith himas an everlastingcovenantfor his descendantsafter him.20As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.…
Cross References Genesis 18:10Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
Genesis 21:2-3So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.
Romans 9:7-9Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
Hebrews 11:11-12By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Galatians 4:28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.
Genesis 26:3-4Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,
Genesis 35:12The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
Genesis 12:2-3I 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. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 15:4-5Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” / And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Genesis 22:17-18I 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. / And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
Genesis 28:13-14And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.
Genesis 49:10The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes and the allegiance of the nations is his.
Exodus 2:24So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
2 Samuel 7:12-16And when your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. / He will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. / I will be his Father, and he will be My son. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. ...
Psalm 105:8-11He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...
Treasury of Scripture And God said, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son indeed; and you shall call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Sarah. Genesis 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. Genesis 18:10-14 And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heardit in the tent door, whichwas behind him… Genesis 21:2,3,6 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him… Isaac. Genesis 17:17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shalla child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? Jump to Previous Age-DuringAgreementBearBearingCovenantDescendantsEstablishEstablishedEverlastingIndeedIsaacSarahSeedWifeJump to Next Age-DuringAgreementBearBearingCovenantDescendantsEstablishEstablishedEverlastingIndeedIsaacSarahSeedWifeGenesis 17 1.God renews the covenant with Abram,5.and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.9.Circumcision is instituted.15.Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.17.Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.23.Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.But God repliedThis phrase indicates a direct response from God, emphasizing His authority and the certainty of His promises. It highlights the personal relationship between God and Abraham, where God communicates His divine will. “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son
This promise underscores the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, as Sarah was beyond childbearing age. It fulfills God's earlier promise to Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating His power over natural laws. This event is pivotal in the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham, as it establishes the lineage through which the covenant will continue. and you are to name him Isaac.
The name Isaac means "he laughs" or "laughter," reflecting both Abraham's and Sarah's initial reactions to the promise of a son in their old age. It serves as a reminder of the joy and surprise associated with God's fulfillment of His promises. Naming in biblical times often carried significant meaning, indicating character or destiny. I will establish My covenant with him
This phrase signifies the continuation of God's covenantal promises through Isaac, not Ishmael. It highlights the divine selection and the importance of Isaac in the unfolding plan of salvation history. The covenant includes promises of land, descendants, and blessings, which are central themes in the Abrahamic narrative. as an everlasting covenant
The term "everlasting" indicates the perpetual nature of God's promises, extending beyond Isaac to future generations. This covenant is foundational for the nation of Israel and is seen as a precursor to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. It underscores God's faithfulness and the eternal scope of His plans. for his descendants after him.
This phrase points to the future generations of Israel, who will inherit the covenant promises. It establishes the lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would eventually come, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of the covenant. The descendants of Isaac, through Jacob, become the twelve tribes of Israel, central to the biblical narrative. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe Almighty, who establishes His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. 2. AbrahamThe patriarch chosen by God to be the father of many nations. 3. SarahAbraham's wife, who is promised to bear a son despite her old age. 4. IsaacThe promised son of Abraham and Sarah, through whom God's covenant will continue. 5. CovenantA divine promise made by God to Abraham, signifying a perpetual relationship with his descendants. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod's promises are sure and reliable, even when circumstances seem impossible. The Power of NamesNaming Isaac, which means "he laughs," reflects both the joy and the initial disbelief of Sarah and Abraham. Names in the Bible often carry significant meaning and purpose. Covenant RelationshipGod's covenant with Isaac is described as everlasting, indicating the enduring nature of God's promises and His commitment to His people. Miraculous ProvisionIsaac's birth is a testament to God's ability to bring life and fulfill His promises against all odds. Faith and ObedienceAbraham and Sarah's journey teaches us about the importance of faith and obedience in our walk with God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 17:19?
2.How does Genesis 17:19 emphasize God's covenant promise through Isaac's birth?
3.What does Isaac's promised birth teach about God's faithfulness to His word?
4.How does Genesis 17:19 connect to God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12?
5.How can we trust God's promises in our lives, as seen in Genesis 17:19?
6.What role does faith play in receiving God's promises, according to Genesis 17:19?
7.Why did God choose Isaac over Ishmael in Genesis 17:19?
8.How does Genesis 17:19 relate to God's covenant with Abraham?
9.What is the significance of Isaac's birth in Genesis 17:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17?
11.Why is there conflict between Jews and Arabs?
12.Genesis 48:14 – How can Jacob’s crossing of his hands and reversing birth order be reconciled with typical ancient customs?
13.What was Isaac's age during Abraham's offering?
14.Was Hagar a wife or concubine of Abraham?What Does Genesis 17:19 Mean But God repliedThe immediate context is Abraham pleading, “If only Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” (Genesis 17:18). God’s answer corrects Abraham’s assumption and re-centers everything on His own sovereign plan. •Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.” • InIsaiah 55:8-9 God says His thoughts are higher than ours, anchoring the truth that divine replies override human proposals. God’s first word here settles the matter: His decision is final, gracious, and certain.
Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a sonThe promise is emphatic—“indeed.” God dispels every doubt about Sarah’s barrenness and Abraham’s advanced age (Genesis 18:10, 14;Romans 4:19-21). •Hebrews 11:11 celebrates Sarah’s faith, showing that what looks impossible becomes reality when God speaks. •Luke 1:36 points to another miraculous conception, underlining that God delights in working through the improbable. This line proves God’s power over biology and time; the physical birth of Isaac is as literal as the words announcing it.
and you are to name him IsaacThe name means “he laughs,” capturing both Abraham’s earlier laughter (Genesis 17:17) and Sarah’s future laughter of joy (Genesis 21:6). •Genesis 21:3 confirms Abraham’s obedience in naming. • Every time Isaac’s name is spoken, it bears witness to the moment God turned doubt into delight. Naming is no small detail; it publicly stamps God’s promise onto the child’s identity.
I will establish My covenant with himGod narrows the covenant line to Isaac, not Ishmael. •Genesis 17:21 restates this exclusivity, andGenesis 26:2-5 later shows God reaffirming the covenant directly to Isaac. •Galatians 4:28 parallels believers with Isaac—“children of promise”—because the covenant ultimately finds its fulfillment in Christ (Galatians 3:16). The covenant is literal, specific, and unbreakable, anchored in God’s own character.
as an everlasting covenant“Everlasting” means exactly that—enduring through history and into eternity. •Psalm 105:8-10 celebrates that God “remembers His covenant forever.” •Jeremiah 31:35-36 ties the permanence of Israel to the fixed order of creation. The covenant’s permanence reassures every generation that God does not revise or rescind His promises.
for his descendants after himThe promise cascades down the family line. •Genesis 22:17-18 expands the vision to “offspring as numerous as the stars,” whileRomans 9:7-9 clarifies that the line of promise is through Isaac. •Hebrews 11:18 recalls that in Isaac Abraham’s offspring would be called, pointing ahead to Christ and, through Him, to all who believe (Galatians 3:29). Every descendant who trusts God’s provision stands within this gracious, ever-widening circle of blessing.
summaryGenesis 17:19 is God’s definitive answer to Abraham’s plea. He announces a miraculous birth, assigns a prophetic name, and fixes an everlasting covenant squarely on Isaac and his lineage. Each phrase unfolds God’s sovereign, trustworthy plan—a plan that begins with a literal son born to Sarah and ultimately reaches its climax in the Messiah, ensuring that God’s faithful word remains unshaken for all generations. (19) Indeed.--In the Hebrew this word comes first, and is intended to remove all doubt or desire for any other turn of affairs. It should be rendered, "And God said, For a certainty Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son." Thou shalt call his name Isaac.--That is,he laughs.The name was to be a perpetual memorial that Isaac's birth was naturally such an impossibility as to excite ridicule. Verse 19. - And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac. "Laughter," or "he laughs (the third person future ( yitsak) being frequently employed in personal designations; cf. Jacob, Jair, Jabin, etc.), with obvious reference to Abraham's laughter (vide Ver. 17). Cf. on naming before birth Genesis 16:11. And I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew But Godאֱלֹהִ֗ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativereplied,וַיֹּ֣אמֶר(way·yō·mer)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Your wifeאִשְׁתְּךָ֗(’iš·tə·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleSarahשָׂרָ֣ה(śā·rāh)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283:Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham{will} indeedאֲבָל֙(’ă·ḇāl)Adverb
Strong's 61:Verily, of a truthbearיֹלֶ֤דֶת(yō·le·ḏeṯ)Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3205:To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineageyou a son,בֵּ֔ן(bên)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121:A sonand you are to nameוְקָרָ֥אתָ(wə·qā·rā·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readhimשְׁמ֖וֹ(šə·mōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034:A nameIsaac.יִצְחָ֑ק(yiṣ·ḥāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327:Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and SarahI will establishוַהֲקִמֹתִ֨י(wa·hă·qi·mō·ṯî)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6965:To arise, stand up, standMy covenantבְּרִיתִ֥י(bə·rî·ṯî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1285:A covenantwithאִתּ֛וֹ(’it·tōw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amonghim as an everlastingעוֹלָ֖ם(‘ō·w·lām)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769:Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, alwayscovenantלִבְרִ֥ית(liḇ·rîṯ)Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285:A covenantfor his descendantsלְזַרְע֥וֹ(lə·zar·‘ōw)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2233:Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterityafter him.אַחֲרָֽיו׃(’a·ḥă·rāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310:The hind or following part
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OT Law: Genesis 17:19 God said No but Sarah your wife (Gen. Ge Gn) |
