Genesis 17:2 kjv

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

Genesis 17:2 nkjv

And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly."

Genesis 17:2 niv

Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."

Genesis 17:2 esv

that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly."

Genesis 17:2 nlt

I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants."

Genesis 17 verses

Genesis 17 2 Meaning

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the covenant between God and Abraham (then Abram), serving as a reaffirmation and expansion of previous divine promises. It unequivocally states God's intention to firmly establish His covenant, a binding divine agreement, with Abraham, promising an extraordinarily vast and abundant multiplication of his descendants. This divine declaration emphasizes God's sovereign initiative and omnipotent ability to bring about what is humanly impossible, laying the groundwork for the future nation of Israel and a countless spiritual posterity.

Genesis 17 2 Context

Genesis chapter 17 initiates a critical phase in God's interaction with Abram. Thirteen years have passed since the birth of Ishmael (Gen 16:16), during which there is no recorded communication from God. At ninety-nine years old, with Abraham and Sarah well past natural childbearing age, God appears, introducing Himself as "El Shaddai" (God Almighty/All-Sufficient). This re-engagement and divine self-revelation set the stage for a dramatic renewal and expansion of the covenant promises made earlier in Genesis 12 and 15. The verse itself follows God's command for Abraham to walk before Him and be blameless (Gen 17:1), immediately followed by the divine declaration of covenant establishment and a promise of immense fruitfulness. The chapter then outlines the sign of the covenant (circumcision), the change of Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's to Sarah, and the explicit promise of a son through Sarah, Isaac. This particular verse reinforces God's commitment to Abraham and His ability to overcome human impossibility, providing the foundational assurance for all subsequent covenant details.

Genesis 17 2 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction ("וְ", ve) connects the verse directly to the preceding divine instruction (Gen 17:1), indicating a continuation of God's discourse and an immediate consequence or promise following His command to Abram to "walk before me and be blameless." It signals that the covenant establishment flows directly from God's revelation of Himself as El Shaddai and Abraham's prescribed response.
• I will make: From the Hebrew verb נָתַן (natan), meaning "to give," "to put," or "to set." In the context of "covenant," it denotes establishing, ordaining, or giving forth the terms of the covenant. It signifies God's sovereign initiation and power; this covenant is not a negotiated treaty between equals, but a unilateral declaration by the Most High. This emphasis highlights divine grace and Abraham's passive reception of God's terms.
• my covenant: From the Hebrew בְּרִית (berit), followed by the first-person singular possessive suffix (-ִי, i). This term signifies a formal, binding agreement. Crucially, "my covenant" indicates its divine origin and ownership. It underscores that God defines the terms, purpose, and promises of this sacred bond. This isn't merely an agreement but a relationship unilaterally instituted by God, setting Abraham apart.
• between me and thee: This phrase underscores the personal, direct, and exclusive nature of the covenant between God and Abraham. While the implications are universal, the direct relationship and chosenness of Abraham are emphasized. It signifies the specific party to whom God commits these extraordinary promises.
• and will multiply: From the Hebrew verb רָבָה (rabah), meaning "to be many," "to increase," "to become great." This verb expresses a causative action—God is the one who will cause the multiplication. It evokes God's creative power, linking back to the initial command in Gen 1:28 ("Be fruitful and multiply"). This promise is central to the Abrahamic covenant, addressing the human impossibility of children at their age.
• thee: Refers to Abraham himself, the direct recipient of God's promise. This 'thee' encompasses his physical seed (descendants), who would form the nation of Israel, and implicitly, as revealed in the New Testament (Rom 4, Gal 3), his spiritual seed—all those who would later share his faith.
• exceedingly: From the Hebrew בִּמְאֹד מְאֹד (bim'od m'od). This is an emphatic double adverb, intensifying the degree of multiplication. It translates to "very, very much," "greatly," or "super-abundantly." It removes any doubt about the scale of God's promised fruitfulness, suggesting a number beyond natural calculation and human comprehension. It underscores the supernatural nature of God's ability, linking perfectly with the previously introduced divine name, "El Shaddai"—God All-Sufficient.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I will make my covenant": This phrase immediately establishes God's absolute initiative and sovereignty. The covenant originates from Him and is enacted by His will alone, demonstrating divine authority. It's not a suggestion but a declaration of purpose, underscoring its unconditional aspect and eternal reliability, anchored in God's faithfulness and power.
• "between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly": This clause emphasizes both the specificity of the covenant recipient (Abraham) and the unimaginable magnitude of the blessing. The promised "exceeding multiplication" is supernatural, demonstrating God's ability to fulfill His promise despite Abraham and Sarah's advanced age, thus highlighting faith in God's omnipotence as a core element of the covenant. This profound increase of descendants forms the bedrock of God's plan for a chosen nation, through whom all nations would be blessed.

Genesis 17 2 Bonus Section

• Unilateral vs. Suzerain Covenant: While "covenant" can sometimes imply mutual agreement, God's covenants, especially this Abrahamic one, are largely unilateral or "suzerainty" covenants. God, the greater party (the Suzerain), sets the terms and promises. Abram's role is to receive and obey, not to negotiate. This underscores God's sovereignty and the basis of the covenant in His character, not human performance.
• The Impossible Promise and El Shaddai: The "exceedingly" multiplication is naturally impossible given Abram's age (99) and Sarai's (89). This human impossibility makes God's preceding self-revelation as "El Shaddai" (Gen 17:1), God Almighty or All-Sufficient, profoundly significant. This name confirms God's power to provide, sustain, and make fertile where there is barrenness, validating the "exceedingly" promise.
• Foreboding the Exodus and Nationhood: This promise of super-multiplication is later seen to come to fruition in the immense growth of Abraham's descendants who become the large population enslaved in Egypt (Exo 1:7) and then liberated to form the nation of Israel. It shows the long-term, unfolding nature of God's covenant promises.
• Covenant Expansion: While Gen 12 promises a "great nation" and Gen 15 expands on the "stars" metaphor, Gen 17:2, with "exceedingly multiply," uses the most emphatic language yet, cementing the vast scale and certainty of this aspect of the promise right before the specific promise of Isaac is given. This highlights the steadfast nature of God's word, even after 13 years of silence.

Genesis 17 2 Commentary

Genesis 17:2 is a profound articulation of God's unwavering faithfulness and omnipotence within the Abrahamic covenant. Coming after years of silence and amidst human efforts (like Ishmael's birth) that fell short of God's perfect plan, this verse reasserts God's original intention with renewed emphasis. The phrase "I will make my covenant" signifies God's absolute ownership and unilateral establishment of the agreement, reinforcing that salvation and blessing stem entirely from divine initiative, not human merit or bargaining. The unprecedented promise to "multiply thee exceedingly" defies all natural limitations for Abraham and Sarah, highlighting that God's plan transcends human capability. This points directly to the earlier revelation of God as "El Shaddai" (God All-Sufficient) in Gen 17:1 – He is powerful enough to perform the impossible. This verse, therefore, is not merely a quantitative promise but a qualitative statement about God's character: His trustworthiness, His power to bring life out of barrenness, and His ability to accomplish His purposes against all odds. It lays the spiritual foundation for both the physical nation of Israel and the innumerable spiritual descendants through faith in Christ.