CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 17:24 So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-24.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_17_24.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:24 - The Covenant of Circumcision" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/17-24.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/17-24.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/17.htm">Chapter 17</a> > Verse 24</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm" title="Genesis 17:23">◄</a> Genesis 17:24 <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm" title="Genesis 17:25">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/17.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/17.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/17.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham <i>was</i> ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Abraham <i>was</i> ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was 99 years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/17.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham was ninety and nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abraham [is] a son of ninety-nine years in the flesh of his foreskin being circumcised;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abraham is a son of ninety and nine years in the flesh of his foreskin being circumcised;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abraham, the son of ninety and nine years in his circumcising the flesh of his uncircumcision.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety and nine years old, when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Ishmayl his son was a son of thirteen years when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abraam was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/17-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3671" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">The Covenant of Circumcision</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">23</span>On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him. <span class="reftext">24</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: wə·’aḇ·rā·hām (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">So Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/8673.htm" title="8673: tiš·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Ninety. Multiple from tesha'; ninety.">was ninety-nine</a> <a href="/hebrew/8672.htm" title="8672: wā·ṯê·ša‘ (Conj-w:: Number-fs) -- A nine. Or tishtah; perhaps from sha'ah through the idea of a turn to the next or full number ten; nine or Ninth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">years old</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nāh (N-fs) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: bə·śar (N-msc) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6190.htm" title="6190: ‘ā·rə·lā·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Foreskin. Feminine of arel; the prepuce."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4135.htm" title="4135: bə·him·mō·lōw (Prep-b:: V-Nifal-Inf:: 3ms) -- To circumcise. A primitive root; to cut short, i.e. Curtail; by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy.">when he was circumcised,</a> </span><span class="reftext">25</span>and his son Ishmael was thirteen;…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-4.htm">Genesis 21:4</a></span><br />When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-4.htm">Genesis 12:4</a></span><br />So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/15-6.htm">Genesis 15:6</a></span><br />Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-11.htm">Genesis 18:11</a></span><br />And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-3.htm">Genesis 22:3</a></span><br />So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-7.htm">Genesis 25:7-8</a></span><br />Abraham lived a total of 175 years. / And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-5.htm">Genesis 26:5</a></span><br />because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-27.htm">Genesis 35:27-29</a></span><br />Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. / And Isaac lived 180 years. / Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-48.htm">Exodus 12:48</a></span><br />If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/12-3.htm">Leviticus 12:3</a></span><br />And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-2.htm">Joshua 5:2-9</a></span><br />At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. / Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-8.htm">Acts 7:8</a></span><br />Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-19.htm">Romans 4:19</a></span><br />Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-12.htm">Romans 4:12</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1,17</a></b></br> And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I <i>am</i> the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/12-4.htm">Genesis 12:4</a></b></br> So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram <i>was</i> seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11,19,20</a></b></br> And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which <i>he had yet</i> being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-14.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Foreskin</a> <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Nine</a> <a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">Ninety-Nine</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-21.htm">Underwent</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-26.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Circumcised</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Circumcision</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Foreskin</a> <a href="/exodus/38-24.htm">Nine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-15.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Ninety-Nine</a> <a href="/genesis/17-25.htm">Underwent</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">God renews the covenant with Abram, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Circumcision is instituted.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Abraham was ninety-nine years old</b><br>Abraham's age at this point in the narrative highlights the miraculous nature of God's covenant promises. At ninety-nine, he was well beyond the typical age for fathering children, emphasizing the divine intervention required for the fulfillment of God's promise to make him a father of many nations (<a href="/genesis/17-4.htm">Genesis 17:4-5</a>). This age also underscores Abraham's long journey of faith, having left Haran at seventy-five (<a href="/genesis/12-4.htm">Genesis 12:4</a>). His advanced age serves as a testament to his enduring faith and patience, waiting on God's timing.<p><b>when he was circumcised</b><br>Circumcision was instituted by God as a sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham's descendants (<a href="/genesis/17-10.htm">Genesis 17:10-11</a>). This act was a physical mark of the spiritual covenant, symbolizing purity and separation unto God. It was a significant act of obedience for Abraham, aligning with the biblical theme of faith being demonstrated through action (<a href="/james/2-21.htm">James 2:21-24</a>). Circumcision also prefigures the New Testament concept of the circumcision of the heart, a spiritual transformation through faith in Christ (<a href="/romans/2-29.htm">Romans 2:29</a>, <a href="/colossians/2-11.htm">Colossians 2:11</a>). This act at such an advanced age further illustrates Abraham's commitment to God's commands, regardless of personal cost or societal norms.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>Originally named Abram, he is the central figure in this passage. At ninety-nine years old, he demonstrates obedience to God's covenant through circumcision, marking a significant act of faith and commitment.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/circumcision.htm">Circumcision</a></b><br>This is the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, symbolizing purity, obedience, and separation unto God. It is a pivotal event in the Abrahamic covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>The broader context of this passage is God's covenant with Abraham, which includes promises of land, descendants, and blessings. Circumcision is the sign of this everlasting covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Abraham's circumcision at ninety-nine years old exemplifies radical obedience. Believers are called to obey God's commands, even when they seem challenging or counter-cultural.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_covenant_relationship.htm">Faith and Covenant Relationship</a></b><br>The act of circumcision was a sign of the covenant, but Abraham's faith was the foundation. Our relationship with God is based on faith, and outward signs should reflect an inward reality.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_significance_over_physical_rituals.htm">Spiritual Significance Over Physical Rituals</a></b><br>While circumcision was a physical act, its true significance lay in the spiritual commitment it represented. Christians are called to focus on the heart's transformation through faith in Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/age_and_obedience.htm">Age and Obedience</a></b><br>Abraham's age highlights that obedience to God is not limited by age. God can call us to new acts of faith and obedience at any stage of life.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_ishmael_depicted_as_a_child.htm">Why does Genesis 21:14–18 seem to portray Ishmael as a small child when he would have been a teenager? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_require_circumcision.htm">Why would an all-powerful God require the physical sign of circumcision, and does this practice have non-biblical parallels (Genesis 17:10)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_romans_15_8_fit_universal_salvation.htm">Romans 15:8 highlights Jesus as a servant to the Jews, so how does this align with the broader claim of salvation for all people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_abraham_father_a_child_at_100.htm">How could Abraham, at nearly 100 years old, realistically father a child (Genesis 17:1, 17:17)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 24.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Abraham was ninety years old and nine</span>, - literally, <span class="accented">a son of ninety years and nine</span> (cf. <a href="/genesis/7-6.htm">Genesis 7:6</a>; <a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Genesis 16:16</a>) - <span class="cmt_word">when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was ninety-nine</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8673.htm">Strong's 8673: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ninety</span><br /><br /><span class="word">years old</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when he was circumcised,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהִמֹּל֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·him·mō·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4135.htm">Strong's 4135: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/17-24.htm">Genesis 17:24 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/17-24.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/17-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 17:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>