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<!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 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/17-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_17_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 17:1 - The Renaming of Abraham" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty. 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Walk before Me and be blameless. <a href="/kjv/genesis/17.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/17.htm">New King James Version</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. <a href="/nasb/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, &#8220I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. <a href="/lsb/genesis/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened that 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, <a href="/amp/genesis/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; Walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me]. <a href="/csb/genesis/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him, saying, “I am God Almighty. Live in my presence and be blameless. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him, saying, &#8220I am God Almighty. Live in My presence and be blameless. <a href="/asv/genesis/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect. <a href="/cev/genesis/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him again and said, "I am God All-Powerful. If you obey me and always do right, <a href="/erv/genesis/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect. <a href="/gwt/genesis/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him. He said to Abram, "I am God Almighty. Live in my presence with integrity. <a href="/gnt/genesis/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the Almighty God. Obey me and always do what is right. <a href="/isv/genesis/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and announced, "I am God Almighty. Live in constant awareness that I'm always with you, and be blameless. <a href="/msb/genesis/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, ?I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. <a href="/net/genesis/17.htm">NET Bible</a> When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the sovereign God. Walk before me and be blameless. <a href="/nheb/genesis/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, God appeared to him, and said to him, "I am El Shaddai. Walk before me, and be blameless. <a href="/wbt/genesis/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when Abram was ninety and nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. <a href="/web/genesis/17.htm">World English Bible</a> 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. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Abram is a son of ninety-nine years, and YHWH appears to Abram, and says to him, “I [am] God Almighty, habitually walk before Me, and be perfect; <a href="/ylt/genesis/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Abram is a son of ninety and nine years, and Jehovah appeareth unto Abram, and saith unto him, 'I am God Almighty, walk habitually before Me, and be thou perfect; <a href="/slt/genesis/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Abram shall be the son of ninety years and nine years: Jehovah shall be seen to Abram and will say to him, I am God Almighty; walk thou before me, and be complete.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And after he began to be ninety and nine years old, the Lord appeared to him: and said unto him: I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be perfect. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In truth, after he began to be ninety-nine years of age, the Lord appeared to him. And he said to him: “I am the Almighty God. Walk in my sight and become complete. <a href="/nabre/genesis/17.htm">New American Bible</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said: I am God the Almighty. Walk in my presence and be blameless. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> WHEN Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk well before me, and be faultless. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/17.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And I shall give my covenant between me and you and I shall increase you greatly.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/17.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him: 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted. <a href="/sep/genesis/17.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Abram was ninety-nine years old, and the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, I am thy God, be well-pleasing before me, and be blameless. <a href="/parallel/genesis/17-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3441" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/17.htm">The Renaming of Abraham</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/87.htm" title="87: ’aḇ·rām (N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, the original name of Abraham. Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.">When Abram</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/8673.htm" title="8673: tiš·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Ninety. Multiple from tesha'; ninety.">ninety-nine</a> <a href="/hebrew/8672.htm" title="8672: wə·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/8141.htm" title="8141: šā·nîm (N-fp) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">years</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">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/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yê·rā (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">appeared</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/87.htm" title="87: ’aḇ·rām (N-proper-ms) -- Exalted father, the original name of Abraham. Contracted from 'Abiyram; high father; Abram, the original name of Abraham.">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî- (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">“I</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">am God</a> <a href="/hebrew/7706.htm" title="7706: šad·day (N-proper-ms) -- The Almighty. From shadad; the Almighty.">Almighty.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: hiṯ·hal·lêḵ (V-Hitpael-Imp-ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">Walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nay (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: weh·yêh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and be</a> <a href="/hebrew/8549.htm" title="8549: ṯā·mîm (Adj-ms) -- Complete, sound. From tamam; entire; also integrity, truth.">blameless.</a> 2I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/6-3.htm">Exodus 6:3</a> I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them. <a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a> And 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. <a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3</a> May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples. <a href="/genesis/48-3.htm">Genesis 48:3</a> Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1-3</a> Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I 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.” <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a> After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a> Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Genesis 22:17</a> I 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. <a href="/genesis/26-24.htm">Genesis 26:24</a> and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.” <a href="/genesis/46-3.htm">Genesis 46:3</a> “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. <a href="/leviticus/26-12.htm">Leviticus 26:12</a> I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people. <a href="/deuteronomy/18-13.htm">Deuteronomy 18:13</a> You must be blameless before the LORD your God. <a href="/2_samuel/22-31.htm">2 Samuel 22:31</a> As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. <a href="/psalms/91-1.htm">Psalm 91:1</a> He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6</a> For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.A.<a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Genesis 16:16</a> And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.the Lord.<a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1</a> 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:Almighty.<a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a> 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.<a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Genesis 28:3</a> And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;<a href="/genesis/35-11.htm">Genesis 35:11</a> 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;walk.<a href="/genesis/5-22.htm">Genesis 5:22,24</a> And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: … <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a> These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.<a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Genesis 48:15</a> 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,perfect.<a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a> These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.<a href="/deuteronomy/18-13.htm">Deuteronomy 18:13</a> Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.<a href="/job/1-1.htm">Job 1:1</a> There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/revelation/21-22.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/genesis/15-17.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Habitually</a> <a href="/genesis/11-24.htm">Nine</a> <a href="/genesis/5-30.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/luke/15-7.htm">Ninety-Nine</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/genesis/1-16.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/genesis/7-1.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/13-17.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/genesis/13-9.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Wholehearted</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Abram</a> <a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/genesis/18-1.htm">Appeared</a> <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Blameless</a> <a href="/genesis/17-3.htm">Face</a> <a href="/genesis/24-40.htm">Habitually</a> <a href="/genesis/17-24.htm">Nine</a> <a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Ninety</a> <a href="/genesis/17-24.htm">Ninety-Nine</a> <a href="/exodus/12-5.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/genesis/28-3.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/genesis/18-23.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/genesis/24-40.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/genesis/18-19.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-3.htm">Wholehearted</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 17</div>1. <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">God renews the covenant with Abram, </a> 5. <a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/17-9.htm">Circumcision is instituted.</a> 15. <a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.</a> 17. <a href="/genesis/17-17.htm">Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.</a> 23. <a href="/genesis/17-23.htm">Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>When Abram was ninety-nine years old At this advanced age, Abram had already experienced significant events in his life, including his call from Ur, his journey to Canaan, and the birth of Ishmael. His age underscores the miraculous nature of God's promises, as he and Sarai were beyond the natural age for childbearing. This sets the stage for the fulfillment of God's covenant, emphasizing that it is by divine intervention rather than human effort.the LORD appeared to him This appearance of the LORD is a theophany, a direct manifestation of God to a human. Such appearances are significant in the Old Testament, marking pivotal moments in God's dealings with His people. The LORD's appearance to Abram reaffirms the covenant and provides assurance of His presence and promises. This encounter is a precursor to later theophanies, such as those to Moses and the prophets.and said, “I am God Almighty. The name "God Almighty" is translated from the Hebrew "El Shaddai," which conveys God's supreme power and sufficiency. This name emphasizes God's ability to fulfill His promises despite human limitations. It is a reminder of God's sovereignty and might, which is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, seen in His creation, sustenance, and governance of the world.Walk before Me This phrase calls Abram to live a life of faith and obedience in the presence of God. It implies a relationship of accountability and intimacy, where Abram is to conduct his life with an awareness of God's constant presence. This call to "walk" is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to walk in the Spirit and live lives worthy of their calling.and be blameless. The call to be blameless is an exhortation to moral and spiritual integrity. It does not imply sinlessness but rather a wholehearted devotion to God. This concept is foundational in both the Old and New Testaments, where God's people are called to holiness. It foreshadows the perfect blamelessness found in Jesus Christ, who fulfills the law and enables believers to stand blameless before God through His righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram</a> At this point in Genesis, Abram is ninety-nine years old. He is a key patriarch in the Bible, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant-making God who appears to Abram. He reveals Himself as "God Almighty" (El Shaddai), emphasizing His power and sufficiency. 3. <a href="/topical/e/el_shaddai.htm">El Shaddai</a> This is the first time God uses this name in the Bible. It highlights His omnipotence and ability to fulfill His promises. 4. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_renewal.htm">Covenant Renewal</a> This event marks a significant moment in the covenant relationship between God and Abram, setting the stage for the promises of descendants and land. 5. <a href="/topical/w/walk_before_me.htm">Walk Before Me</a> This phrase indicates a call to live in a manner that is pleasing to God, emphasizing a life of faith and obedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_identity.htm">Understanding God's Identity</a> Recognize God as El Shaddai, the Almighty, who is capable of fulfilling His promises regardless of human limitations. <a href="/topical/l/living_blamelessly.htm">Living Blamelessly</a> Strive to live a life of integrity and obedience, walking before God in faith and righteousness. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_timing.htm">Faith in God's Timing</a> Trust in God's perfect timing, as Abram did, even when circumstances seem impossible. <a href="/topical/c/covenant_relationship.htm">Covenant Relationship</a> Reflect on the importance of maintaining a covenant relationship with God, marked by faithfulness and commitment. <a href="/topical/g/god's_call_to_action.htm">God's Call to Action</a> Respond to God's call with action, as Abram did, by aligning your life with His will and purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17</a> <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 href="/q/what_does_'el_shaddai'_mean.htm">What does "El Shaddai" mean?</a> <a href="/q/what's_the_essence_of_the_new_covenant.htm">What is the essence of the New Covenant?</a> <a href="/q/genesis_48_15-16__monotheism_or_polytheism.htm">Genesis 48:15–16 – Does Jacob’s claim about God’s protection match the historically polytheistic environment, or is there archaeological evidence supporting monotheism at this time? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>XVII.CONFIRMATION OF THE COVENANT BY THE SACRAMENT OF CIRCUMCISION.(1) Abram was ninety years old and nine.--Thirteen years, therefore, had passed by since the birth of Ishmael, who doubtless during this time had grown very dear to the childless old man, as we gather from the wish expressed in <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm" title="And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before you!">Genesis 17:18</a>.I am the Almighty God.--Heb., El shaddai. The word is Archaic, but there is no doubt that it means strong so as to overpower. Besides its use in Genesis we find it employed as the name of Deity by Balaam (<a href="/numbers/24-4.htm" title="He has said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:">Numbers 24:4</a>; <a href="/numbers/24-16.htm" title="He has said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:">Numbers 24:16</a>); by Naomi (<a href="/ruth/1-20.htm" title="And she said to them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.">Ruth 1:20</a>); and in the Book of Job, where it occurs thirty-one times. We may thus regard it as "one of the more general worldwide titles of the Most High" (Speaker's Commentary). In <a href="/exodus/6-3.htm" title="And I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.">Exodus 6:3</a> it is said, with evident reference to this place, that El shaddai was the name of God revealed to the patriarchs, but that He was not known to them by His name Jehovah. Here, nevertheless, in a passage said by commentators to be Elohistic, we read that "Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said to him I am El shaddai." But the very gist of the passage is the identification of Jehovah and El shaddai, and the great object of the manifest care with which Moses distinguishes the Divine names seems to be to show, that though Jehovah became the special name of Elohim in His covenant relation to Israel after the Exodus, yet that the name was one old and primeval (<a href="/genesis/4-26.htm" title="And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call on the name of the LORD.">Genesis 4:26</a>), and that the God of revelation, under various titles, was ever one and the same. And so is it now, though we, by following a Jewish superstition, have well-nigh forfeited the use of the name Jehovah, so greatly prized of old (<a href="/genesis/4-1.htm" title="And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.">Genesis 4:1</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - And when Abram was ninety years old and nine - consequently an interval of thirteen years had elapsed since the birth of Ishmael; the long delay on the part of God being probably designed as chastisement for Abram's second nuptials (Calvin), and at least corresponding with Abram's undue haste (Lange) - the Lord appeared to Abram - lest he should regard Ishmael's birth as a complete fulfillment of the promise (Menochius), and be satisfied with Hagar's child as the expected seed (Calvin) - and said to him, I am the Almighty God - El Shaddai, found six times in Genesis and thirty-one times in Job, composed of El, God, and Shaddai; not a nomen compositum (from שֶׁ = אֲשֶׁר and דַּי) signifying qui sufficiens est (Aquinas, Symmachus, Theodoret, Saadias, Maimonides, Calvin), but either a pluralis excellentiae., from the singular שַׁר, powerful - root ךשׁדַד, to be strong (Gesenius, Rosenmüller, Wordsworth), or a singular from the same root with the substantive termination יַ, as in הַגַּי, the festal, יְשִׁישַׁי, the old man, סִינַי, the thorn-grown (Keil, Oehler, Lange); descriptive of God as revealing himself violently in his might, hence correctly rendered παντοκράτωρ by the LXX. in Job (Oehler); distinguishing Jehovah, the God of salvation, from Elohim, the God who creates nature so that it is and supports it that it may stand, as "the God who compels nature to do what is contrary to itself, and subdues it to bow and minister to grace" (Delitzsch); characterizing Jehovah the covenant God, "as possessing the power to realize his promises, even when the order of nature presented no prospect of their fulfillment, and the powers of nature were insufficient to secure it" (Keil); perhaps, like Elohim and Adonai, one of the world-wide titles of the Most High since it was known to Balaam (<a href="/numbers/24-4.htm">Numbers 24:4, 16</a>), and is constantly used in Job ('Speaker's Commentary'). Said in <a href="/exodus/6-2.htm">Exodus 6:2, 3</a> to have been the name by which God was known to the patriarchs, it is regarded by the partitionists as characteristic of the Elohist (Tuch, Blcek, Colenso, Davidson, Ewald), and accordingly to that writer the present chapter is assigned, and the Jehovah of this verse expiated as an alteration of the original Elohist's narrative; but the πρῶτον ψεῦδος of this criticism lurks in the identification of El-Shaddai with Elohim, whereas it is not Elohim, but Jehovah, who reveals himself as E1 Shaddai not alone in the Pentateuch, but in the historical and prophetical books as well (cf. <a href="/ruth/1-20.htm">Ruth 1:20, 21</a>; vide Keil's Introduction, pt. § 2; div. 1. § 25). Walk before me. Literally, set thyself to walk, as inch. 13:17, in my presence, as if conscious of my inspection and solicitous of my approval; not behind me, as if sensible of shortcomings, and desirous to elude observation. The phrase intimates a less exalted piety than the corresponding phrase used of Enoch (5. 24) and Noah (<a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a>). And be thou perfect. Tamim, ἄμεμπτοις (LXX.), used of Noah in <a href="/genesis/6-9.htm">Genesis 6:9</a>, and rendered τέλειος (LXX.), while perhaps retrospectively glancing at Abram's sin in marrying Hagar, indicates that absolute standard of moral attainment, viz., completeness of being in respect of purity, which the supreme Lawgiver sets before his intelligent creatures (cf. <a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Matthew 5:8</a>). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/17-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When Abram אַבְרָ֔ם (’aḇ·rām) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_87.htm">Strong's 87: </a> Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham was וַיְהִ֣י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be ninety-nine תִּשְׁעִ֥ים (tiš·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8673.htm">Strong's 8673: </a> Ninety years שָׁנִ֑ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year old, בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son the LORD יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel appeared וַיֵּרָ֨א (way·yê·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to him אַבְרָ֗ם (’aḇ·rām) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_87.htm">Strong's 87: </a> Abram -- 'exalted father', the original name of Abraham and said, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I אֲנִי־ (’ă·nî-) Pronoun - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> I am God אֵ֣ל (’êl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty Almighty. שַׁדַּ֔י (šad·day) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7706.htm">Strong's 7706: </a> The Almighty Walk הִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ (hiṯ·hal·lêḵ) Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk before Me לְפָנַ֖י (lə·p̄ā·nay) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face and be וֶהְיֵ֥ה (weh·yêh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be blameless. תָמִֽים׃ (ṯā·mîm) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8549.htm">Strong's 8549: </a> Entire, integrity, truth <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/17-1.htm">Genesis 17:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/17-1.htm">OT Law: Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old Yahweh (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/16-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 16:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 16:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/17-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 17:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 17:2" /></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>