As a token of this covenant in Isaac, God instituted circumcision involving the cutting off of the flesh; to represent the ultimate purpose of God which is to populate the earth, not with people of flesh and blood, but with the seed of Abraham who will all be immortal and incorruptible.
Sarai’s name was also changed, to “Sarah” meaning princess because, through her son Isaac, she would be the mother of these kings.
×
![]()
Verses 1-8
Waiting for response for Genesis 17:1-8Although Abram had a son, Ishmael, by a bondwoman, he reached the age of ninety-nine without having a son by his wife, Sarai, as God had promised. At such advanced ages it seemed impossible that they would have a son, so God reaffirmed his promise and as an assurance of it changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude” because out of him would come nations and kings. The New Testament explains the significance of this, that Abraham was not only to be the father of his natural descendants, the Jews, but also the father of all those of whatever nation who become faithful disciples of Christ and who ultimately will reign with Jesus as kings in the earth. Galatians 3:26-29Waiting for response for Galatians 3:26-29