the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
Almighty GOD = El Shaddai. First occ See App-4 . This title assures Abram that He Who had called him was almighty to supply all his need. Compare first occurance in N.T. (2 Corinthians 6:18 ), which assures us of the same supply.
walk = continue to walk.
exceedingly. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) . App-6 .
fell. Compare Mary (John 11:32 ) and contrast Martha (John 11:21 ).
God = Elohim , Creator. Used in this ch. (verses: Genesis 17:3 , Genesis 17:9 , Genesis 17:15 , Genesis 3:18 , Genesis 3:22 , Genesis 3:23 ) because He creates new names (verses: Genesis 17:5 , Genesis 17:15 ), a new Sign of Covenant (verses: Genesis 17:9-14 ), and a new thing, from one as good as dead (Hebrews 11:12 ).
many. Emph. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Noun), for emphasis.
Abraham. The fifth letter of Hebrew alphabet (= H), put in middle of his name = No. 5, Grace. See App-10 . Abram = exalted father; Abraham = father of a multitude.
exceeding. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) . App-6 .
nations. Abraham was the progenitor not only of Israel, but of Ishmaelites, Midianites, Arabians, &c.
land . . . stranger. Hebrew. land of thy sojourning!
thy seed. Still practiced by Ishmaelites and others. Noncircumcision was the "reproach" of Egypt (Joshua 5:9 ).
eight = the number of Resurrection ( App-10 ); associated here with circumcision, the sign of death.
flesh. Figure of speech Synecdoche, for the whole person. App-6 .
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Figure of speech Synecdoche, for person.
Sarah. The addition of the 5th letter (= H) of Hebrew alphabet (the No. of Grace, App-10 ) as in Abraham's case (Genesis 17:5 ) and Joshua's (Numbers 13:16 ). The letter (H) is common to both the names of Jehovah and Elohim. Sarai = princely; Sarah = princess.
kings. Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, Septuagint, and Syriac read "and kings".
laughed: for joy. Hebrew. was joyful. Compare John 8:56 , "rejoiced to see my day . . . and was glad. "The laughter of faith, Romans 4:19 . Sarah did not fall down as Abraham did, Genesis 17:3 .
Shall, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. (Compare Hebrews 11:12 ).
might live, as though he thought Ishmael was to die: showing his faith in Isaac's birth. This is proved from Genesis 17:20 .
and. Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, Septuagint, Syriac read this "and" in the text.
I have heard. Showing the subject of Abraham's prayer.
exceedingly. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) .
Isaac. Hebrew. laughter.
set time. See note on Genesis 1:14 .
circumcised. Hence Ishmaelites and kindred nations still practice the rite.
thirteen. Symbolic; and in contrast with Isaac on eighth day. See App-10 , Ishmaelites and Arabians still circumcise in the 13th year.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
Almighty GOD = El Shaddai. First occ See App-4 . This title assures Abram that He Who had called him was almighty to supply all his need. Compare first occurance in N.T. (2 Corinthians 6:18 ), which assures us of the same supply.
walk = continue to walk.
exceedingly. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) . App-6 .
fell. Compare Mary (John 11:32 ) and contrast Martha (John 11:21 ).
God = Elohim , Creator. Used in this ch. (verses: Genesis 17:3 , Genesis 17:9 , Genesis 17:15 , Genesis 3:18 , Genesis 3:22 , Genesis 3:23 ) because He creates new names (verses: Genesis 17:5 , Genesis 17:15 ), a new Sign of Covenant (verses: Genesis 17:9-14 ), and a new thing, from one as good as dead (Hebrews 11:12 ).
many. Emph. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Noun), for emphasis.
Abraham. The fifth letter of Hebrew alphabet (= H), put in middle of his name = No. 5, Grace. See App-10 . Abram = exalted father; Abraham = father of a multitude.
exceeding. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) . App-6 .
nations. Abraham was the progenitor not only of Israel, but of Ishmaelites, Midianites, Arabians, &c.
covenant: unconditional.
thy seed. Here, the collective noun ser'a is shown to be plural by the words "after thee" (compare verses: Genesis 17:8 , Genesis 17:9 ), and by the plural pronoun "their generations" (verses: Genesis 17:7 , Genesis 17:9 ). This is not the verse referred to in Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 , but Genesis 21:12 . See note on Genesis 21:12 , where "seed" must be in the singular because of the verb.
everlasting. Hence Israel so called. Isaiah 44:7 margin.
land . . . stranger. Hebrew. land of thy sojourning!
thy seed. Still practiced by Ishmaelites and others. Noncircumcision was the "reproach" of Egypt (Joshua 5:9 ).
eight = the number of Resurrection ( App-10 ); associated here with circumcision, the sign of death.
flesh. Figure of speech Synecdoche, for the whole person. App-6 .
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 . Figure of speech Synecdoche, for person.
Sarah. The addition of the 5th letter (= H) of Hebrew alphabet (the No. of Grace, App-10 ) as in Abraham's case (Genesis 17:5 ) and Joshua's (Numbers 13:16 ). The letter (H) is common to both the names of Jehovah and Elohim. Sarai = princely; Sarah = princess.
kings. Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, Septuagint, and Syriac read "and kings".
laughed: for joy. Hebrew. was joyful. Compare John 8:56 , "rejoiced to see my day . . . and was glad. "The laughter of faith, Romans 4:19 . Sarah did not fall down as Abraham did, Genesis 17:3 .
Shall, &c. Figure of speech Erotesis. (Compare Hebrews 11:12 ).
might live, as though he thought Ishmael was to die: showing his faith in Isaac's birth. This is proved from Genesis 17:20 .
and. Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel, Septuagint, Syriac read this "and" in the text.
I have heard. Showing the subject of Abraham's prayer.
exceedingly. Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( greatly greatly) .
Isaac. Hebrew. laughter.
set time. See note on Genesis 1:14 .
circumcised. Hence Ishmaelites and kindred nations still practice the rite.
thirteen. Symbolic; and in contrast with Isaac on eighth day. See App-10 , Ishmaelites and Arabians still circumcise in the 13th year.