Bible/Genesis/17

Genesis 17:1

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. perfect: or, upright, or, sincere

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When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect.

17:2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

What does Genesis 17:1 mean?

Genesis 17:1 is a verse in the book of Genesis, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אַבְרָם (ʼAbrâm), תִּשְׁעִים (tishʻîym), שָׁנֶה (shâneh). It connects to 32 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
when
AbramאַבְרָםʼAbrâm/ab-rawm'/H87Abram, the original name of Abraham
was
ninetyתִּשְׁעִיםtishʻîym/tish-eem'/H8673ninety
yearsשָׁנֶהshâneh/shaw-neh'/H8141a year (as a revolution of time)
oldבֵּןbên/bane/H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
and
nine,תֵּשַׁעtêshaʻ/tay'-shah/H8672nine or (ordinal) ninth
the
LORDיְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/H3068Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
appearedרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
to
Abram,אַבְרָםʼAbrâm/ab-rawm'/H87Abram, the original name of Abraham
and
saidאָמַרʼâmar/aw-mar'/H559to say (used with great latitude)
unto
him,
I
am
the
AlmightyשַׁדַּיShadday/shad-dah'-ee/H7706the Almighty
God;אֵלʼêl/ale/H410strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
walkהָלַךְhâlak/haw-lak'/H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
before
me,פָּנִיםpânîym/paw-neem'/H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
and
be
thou
perfect.תָּמִיםtâmîym/taw-meem'/H8549entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
perfect:
or,
upright,
or,
sincere

Commentary on Genesis 17:1

HENRY_FULL · Genesis 17:1
i >16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram. It is here taken for granted, though not expressly recorded, that Hagar did as the angel commanded her, returning to her mistress and submitting herself; and then, in the fulness of time, she brought forth her son. Note, Those who obey divine precepts shall have the comfort of divine promises. This was the son of the bond-woman that was born after the flesh ( Gal. iv. 23 ), representing the unbelieving Jews, v. 25 . Note, 1. Many who can call Abraham father are yet born after the flesh, Matt. iii. 9 . 2. The carnal seed in the church are sooner brought forth than the spiritual. It is an easier thing to persuade men to assume the form of godliness than to submit to the power of godliness. This chapter contains articles of agreement covenanted and concluded upon between the g

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Genesis 5:22

And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

Genesis 5:24

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Genesis 6:9

These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. perfect: or, upright

Genesis 12:1

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 16:16

And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Genesis 28:3

And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; a multitude: Heb. an assembly of people

Genesis 35:11

And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

Genesis 48:15

And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

Exodus 6:3

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Numbers 11:23

And the LORD said unto Moses, Is the LORD'S hand waxed short? thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to pass unto thee or not.

Deuteronomy 10:17Deuteronomy 18:131 Kings 2:41 Kings 3:61 Kings 8:252 Kings 20:3Job 1:1Job 11:7Isaiah 38:3Jeremiah 32:17Daniel 4:35Micah 6:8Matthew 5:48Matthew 19:26Luke 1:6Acts 23:1Acts 24:16Ephesians 3:20Philippians 4:13Hebrews 7:25Hebrews 12:28

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Genesis 17:1.

Genesis 5:30

And Lamech lived after he begat Noah five hundred ninety and five years, and begat sons and daughters:

Genesis 6:3

And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Genesis 7:1

And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 1:14

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: the day: Heb. between the day and between the night

Genesis 1:9

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

Genesis 12:1

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:14

And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair.

Genesis 12:7

And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Frequently asked questions

What does Genesis 17:1 say?

Genesis 17:1 (King James Version) reads: "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. perfect: or, upright, or, sincere"

Is Genesis 17:1 in the Old or New Testament?

Genesis 17:1 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Genesis.

Who wrote the book of Genesis?

The book of Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses.

Reflect

As you read Genesis 17:1, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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