New International Version“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
New Living Translation“This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!
English Standard Version“Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
Berean Standard Bible“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
King James BibleAs for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
New King James Version“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.
New American Standard Bible“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.
NASB 1995“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.
NASB 1977“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.
Legacy Standard Bible“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And you will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Amplified Bible“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, And [as a result] you shall be the father of many nations.
Christian Standard Bible“As for me, here is my covenant with you: You will become the father of many nations.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAs for Me, My covenant is with you: you will become the father of many nations.
American Standard VersionAs for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.
English Revised VersionAs for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.
GOD'S WORD® Translation"My promise is still with you. You will become the father of many nations.
Good News Translation"I make this covenant with you: I promise that you will be the ancestor of many nations.
International Standard Version"Look, I've made a covenant with you. You will be the father of many nations.
NET Bible"As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
New Heart English Bible"As for me, look, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.
Webster's Bible TranslationAs for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
World English Bible“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations. Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“I—behold, My covenant [is] with you, and you have become father of a multitude of nations;
Young's Literal Translation I -- lo, My covenant is with thee, and thou hast become father of a multitude of nations;
Smith's Literal TranslationI, behold my covenant with thee, thou being father of a multitude of nations. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd God said to him: I AM, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father. of many nations.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd God said to him: “I AM, and my covenant is with you, and you will be the father of many nations.
New American BibleFor my part, here is my covenant with you: you are to become the father of a multitude of nations.
New Revised Standard Version“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAs for me, behold, I am establishing my covenant with you, and you shall be a father of many peoples.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd your name shall not be called Abram again, but your name shall be Abraham, because I have given you as the father to the multitude of the nations. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd I, behold! my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of a multitude of nations.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Renaming of Abraham… 3Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4“As for Me,this isMy covenantwith you:You will bethe fatherof manynations.5No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.…
Cross References 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 15:5And 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.”
Romans 4:17As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.
Galatians 3:8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”
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 26:4I 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 28:14Your 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.
Romans 4:11-12And 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. / And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
Romans 4:13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
Romans 4:18Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
Galatians 3:29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
Hebrews 11:12And 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.
Genesis 35:11And 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.
Genesis 48:19But 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.”
Exodus 32:13Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”
Treasury of Scripture As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. a father. Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: Genesis 13:16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth,then shall thy seed also be numbered. Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. many nations. Jump to Previous AgreementCovenantEndMultitudeNationsJump to Next AgreementCovenantEndMultitudeNationsGenesis 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.As for Me, this is My covenant with you:This phrase introduces God's unilateral promise to Abram, emphasizing the divine initiative in establishing the covenant. In biblical context, a covenant is a solemn agreement, often involving commitments and promises. This particular covenant is foundational, as it sets the stage for the Abrahamic covenant, which is central to the narrative of the Bible. The use of "As for Me" highlights God's sovereignty and faithfulness, underscoring that the fulfillment of the covenant depends on God's power and will, not human effort. This covenant is a continuation and expansion of the promises made in Genesis 12 and 15, where God first called Abram and promised to make him a great nation. You will be the father of many nations:
This promise is both literal and spiritual. Literally, Abram, later renamed Abraham, becomes the ancestor of multiple nations, including Israel, Edom, and the Ishmaelites. Spiritually, this promise extends to all who have faith in God, as seen in the New Testament. InRomans 4:16-17, Paul explains that Abraham is the father of all who believe, both Jews and Gentiles, making him a spiritual patriarch. This phrase also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, through whom the promise of blessing to all nations is ultimately fulfilled. The promise of "many nations" indicates a broad and inclusive scope, pointing to the global impact of Abraham's faith and God's covenant. Persons / Places / Events 1. God (Yahweh)The Almighty God who initiates the covenant with Abram, promising to make him the father of many nations. 2. Abram (later Abraham)The recipient of God's covenant, whose name will be changed to Abraham, signifying his role as the father of many nations. 3. CovenantA divine promise and agreement initiated by God with Abram, marking a significant moment in biblical history. 4. NationsRefers to the multitude of peoples and nations that will descend from Abraham, fulfilling God's promise. Teaching Points The Faithfulness of GodGod's covenant with Abraham demonstrates His unwavering faithfulness. He fulfills His promises despite human limitations and failures. The Importance of CovenantCovenants in the Bible are serious commitments. Understanding the depth of God's covenant with Abraham helps us appreciate the New Covenant through Christ. Spiritual HeritageAs believers, we are part of the spiritual lineage of Abraham. This connection calls us to live by faith and embrace our identity in Christ. God's Sovereignty in HistoryGod's promise to Abraham shows His control over history, orchestrating events to fulfill His divine plan. Faith and ObedienceAbraham's response to God's covenant was marked by faith and obedience. We are called to respond similarly to God's promises in our lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 17:4?
2.How does Genesis 17:4 emphasize God's covenant with Abraham and his descendants?
3.What responsibilities come with being "a father of many nations"?
4.How does Genesis 17:4 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:2-3?
5.How can we apply the faithfulness of God's covenant to our daily lives?
6.In what ways does Abraham's covenant foreshadow the New Covenant in Christ?
7.How does Genesis 17:4 define the covenant between God and Abraham?
8.Why is Abraham chosen as the "father of many nations" in Genesis 17:4?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in Genesis 17:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17?
11.What is Bible acculturation?
12.Where is the historical or archaeological evidence that Abraham truly became the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4–6)?
13.Why does Galatians 4:22-23, referring to Abraham’s two sons, contradict other accounts of their significance in Genesis?
14.Why is Abraham significant in the Bible?What Does Genesis 17:4 Mean As for Me– The phrase places the spotlight squarely on God’s initiative. • He is the One who steps forward, just as He did inGenesis 15:1 when “the word of the LORD came to Abram.” • He declares His intent before Abram can respond, echoingExodus 6:7: “I will take you as My own people, and I will be your God.” • This divine lead underscores that the entire promise rests on God’s faithfulness, not human merit, similar to2 Samuel 7:14 where the LORD pledges, “I will be his Father.”
This is My covenant with you:– “Covenant” signals a binding, enduring commitment. • Earlier, God had outlined the blessing inGenesis 12:2-3; here, He formalizes it. • The covenant’s permanence is reiterated inGenesis 17:7, “an everlasting covenant,” and later affirmed inGenesis 26:3-5 when the promise is renewed to Isaac. • The apostle Paul points back to this unbreakable pact inGalatians 3:17, stressing that even the law “does not revoke the covenant previously established by God.” • Because the pledge is “My covenant,” the outcome depends wholly on the unchanging character of the LORD (Malachi 3:6).
You will be the father of many nations.– God expands Abram’s horizon from one ethnic line to a global family. • The very next verse changes his name to Abraham, sealing the pledge (Genesis 17:5). •Romans 4:16-18 draws Gentile believers into this promise: “He is the father of us all… ‘I have made you a father of many nations.’” •Galatians 3:29 includes every believer: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.” •Revelation 7:9 pictures the eventual fulfillment—“a multitude… from every nation, tribe, people, and language”—all tracing their spiritual lineage back to Abraham through faith. • Thus, the covenant anticipates both physical descendants (Israel) and a vast spiritual family united in the Messiah.
summaryGenesis 17:4 shows God initiating, defining, and guaranteeing an everlasting covenant. He alone anchors the promise, making Abraham the progenitor of a global people—Israel by blood and all believers by faith. The verse invites confidence that what God begins, He unfailingly completes. (4) Of many nations.--This is a feeble rendering of a remarkable phrase. Literally the word signifies a confused noise like the din of a populous city. Abram is to be the father of a thronging crowd of nations. And so in Genesis 17:5. Verse 4. - As for me. Literally, I, standing alone at the beginning of the sentence by way of emphasis (cf. 2 Kings 10:29; Psalm 11:4; Psalm 46:5; wide Ewald's 'Hebrew Syntax,' § 309). Equivalent to "So far as I am concerned," or, "I for my part," or, "So far as relates to me." Behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be - literally, shalt become (cf. Genesis 2:7), or grow to (cf. Genesis 9:15) - a father of many (or of a multitude of) nations.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew “As for Me,אֲנִ֕י(’ă·nî)Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Ithis isהִנֵּ֥ה(hin·nêh)Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!My covenantבְרִיתִ֖י(ḇə·rî·ṯî)Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1285:A covenantwith you:אִתָּ֑ךְ(’it·tāḵ)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, amongYou will beוְהָיִ֕יתָ(wə·hā·yî·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, bethe fatherלְאַ֖ב(lə·’aḇ)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1:Fatherof manyהֲמ֥וֹן(hă·mō·wn)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1995:A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealthnations.גּוֹיִֽם׃(gō·w·yim)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471:A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts
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OT Law: Genesis 17:4 As for me behold my covenant (Gen. Ge Gn) |
