Genesis 17:23 kjv

And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Genesis 17:23 nkjv

So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him.

Genesis 17:23 niv

On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him.

Genesis 17:23 esv

Then Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house or bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house, and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him.

Genesis 17:23 nlt

On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him.

Genesis 17 verses

Genesis 17 23 Meaning

Genesis 17:23 recounts Abraham's immediate and comprehensive obedience to God's command to circumcise himself and all males within his household as a sign of the covenant. The verse emphasizes the promptness of Abraham's response, specifying that he acted "that very day" and included Ishmael, his natural son, as well as those born in his household and those acquired through purchase, demonstrating a full compliance with God's instruction without hesitation or delay.

Genesis 17 23 Context

Genesis chapter 17 is pivotal in the Abrahamic narrative. It records God's third significant revelation to Abraham, establishing the unconditional covenant through which Abraham's name is changed from Abram ("exalted father") to Abraham ("father of a multitude"). God reaffirms the promise of countless descendants, the land of Canaan, and a covenant that extends to Abraham's offspring as an everlasting covenant. The unique and prominent sign of this covenant is physical circumcision for all males of Abraham's household and future generations. This rite is explicitly stated as an essential, lifelong obligation. Failure to perform it meant being cut off from God's people. After reaffirming that Sarah, despite her age, would bear a son named Isaac (whom the covenant would primarily be established through), and blessing Ishmael while clarifying his distinct lineage, God gives the detailed command for circumcision. Verse 23 details Abraham's immediate response, demonstrating his commitment to God's newly articulated covenant and its demanding physical sign. This response is critical, showing Abraham's deep faith and prompt submission to the divine will, setting an example for all subsequent generations in the covenant.

Genesis 17 23 Word analysis

• So Abraham took (וַיִּקַּח אַבְרָהָם - vayyiqqaḥ ’Aḇrāhām): The Hebrew verb vayyiqqaḥ signifies taking or seizing, here implying a decisive and deliberate action. It contrasts with hesitation and suggests initiative and promptness. Abraham doesn't merely consider; he acts. This immediate "taking" sets the stage for a swift execution of God's command.

• Ishmael his son (יִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ - Yishma‘e’l bᵊnô): The specific mention of Ishmael is significant. Just prior to this, Abraham had pleaded for Ishmael's inclusion in God's covenant blessings (Gen 17:18). While God affirmed a separate blessing for Ishmael, He reiterated that the primary covenant heir would be Isaac. By circumcising Ishmael, Abraham demonstrated obedience not just concerning Isaac's future, but comprehensive obedience to God's full instruction, including all within his current household, even those through whom the primary covenant would not run. This indicates a submissive acceptance of God's complete will.

• and all those born in his house (וְכֹל יְלִידֵי בֵיתוֹ - vəḵōl yelîḏê bêṯô): This refers to servants and slaves born into the household. It expands the scope of the covenant sign beyond biological descendants to the extended patriarchal family structure, signifying that the household under Abraham’s authority was to reflect his covenant relationship with God. The practice ensured that anyone growing up in the covenant community bore its physical sign.

• and all those bought with his money (וְכֹל מִקְנַת כֶּסֶף - vəḵōl miqnaṯ kesep̄): These are slaves acquired through purchase. This detail further underscores the universality of the command within Abraham’s dominion. The covenant sign was not restricted by social standing or origin but extended to all males under his patriarchate. It shows Abraham’s comprehensive administration of the divine command over his entire sphere of influence.

• every male among the men of Abraham’s household: This phrase (כָּל־זָכָר בְּאַנְשֵׁי בֵּית אַבְרָהָם - kāl zāḵār bᵊ’anšê bêṯ ’Aḇrāhām) serves as an emphatic summation, reiterating that no male under Abraham’s authority was excluded from the commandment. It highlights the gender specificity of the covenant sign at this time, an external, visible mark for male descendants.

• and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins (וַיָּמֹל אֵת בְּשַׂר עָרְלָתָם - vayyāmoḵ ’ēṯ bᵊśar ‘orlāṯām): The Hebrew verb mālal (מָלַל) means "to cut around," referring specifically to the removal of the foreskin. This act, though potentially painful and socially distinctive, was a tangible expression of covenant inclusion and dedication to God. It was a sign of holiness, distinctiveness, and separation unto God's purposes. The mention of "flesh of their foreskins" makes the action precise and explicit.

• that very day (בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה - baʿăṣem ha-yōm hazzeh): The Hebrew idiom baʿăṣem ha-yōm hazzeh, literally "in the bone of that day" or "in the very substance of that day," conveys immediacy and decisiveness. It signifies that there was no delay, no deliberation, no postponement. Abraham acted promptly and completely. This highlights his faith and complete submission to God's command.

• as God had said to him (כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֱלֹהִים אִתּוֹ - ka’ăšer dibber ’Elohîm ’ittō): This phrase emphasizes that Abraham's actions were directly in response to and in precise alignment with the divine mandate. It underscores the ultimate authority of God's word and Abraham's unwavering trust in it. It legitimizes his act as an act of pure obedience rather than a personal whim or cultural practice.

Words-group analysis:

• "So Abraham took Ishmael his son and all those born in his house and all those bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s household...": This group of phrases paints a picture of comprehensive inclusion. It stresses that Abraham’s obedience was not partial but encompassed every eligible individual within his sphere of influence. This breadth of application distinguishes the covenant sign as a household, communal, and familial ordinance rather than a purely individual one.

• "...circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very day, as God had said to him.": This concluding section highlights the prompt and accurate execution of the command. The pairing of "that very day" with "as God had said to him" signifies perfect, immediate obedience. It acts as a divine validation for Abraham's action, confirming that his will was aligned with God's. This instant response indicates the depth of Abraham's faith and his profound respect for divine authority.

Genesis 17 23 Bonus section

• The Polemic Against Contemporary Practices: While surrounding cultures might have practiced forms of circumcision, the divine command to Abraham infused it with unique theological significance. It was not a rite for puberty or fertility, nor an appeasement of gods, but a covenant sign specifically given by YHWH. The "that very day" command made it a universal mark for all males within the Abrahamic community from birth (on the 8th day for infants, per Gen 17:12), making it a sign of covenant entry, identity, and dedication, rather than merely a coming-of-age ceremony. This makes the practice fundamentally distinct from surrounding customs.
• Faith Precedes the Full Promise: Abraham’s circumcision happens before Isaac is born (Gen 21:2, 5), which is central to the covenant. This shows his faith and obedience were not conditional on immediate fulfillment but absolute trust in God's word regarding the future.
• Sign of the Covenant: This act establishes a visible, physical boundary marker for God's chosen people. It served as a constant reminder of their special relationship with God and their separation from other nations, prefiguring later ceremonial laws and symbols that would identify Israel.
• Fulfillment in the New Covenant: The physical circumcision later finds its spiritual fulfillment in the "circumcision of the heart" (Deut 10:16, Jer 4:4) and ultimately in the New Covenant's spiritual regeneration through Christ (Rom 2:29; Col 2:11-12), where inner transformation replaces the outer ritual as the sign of covenant membership in God's family. Abraham's prompt obedience to the physical command here serves as an example of readiness for God's call in any form.

Genesis 17 23 Commentary

Genesis 17:23 is a profound testament to Abraham's unwavering faith and radical obedience. After receiving the covenant instructions from God, Abraham immediately translates divine word into physical action. The promptness conveyed by "that very day" underscores a non-hesitating, absolute commitment. He includes not only Ishmael, his direct descendant, but every male under his authority, whether born into his household or acquired through purchase. This reveals that the covenant, at this stage, was to be a communal mark of distinction, visible and encompassing his entire extended family unit. The act of circumcision itself, while culturally present in other forms, was given a distinct theological meaning by God as a sign and seal of His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Abraham's swift compliance set a precedent of obedience that characterized his walk with God and stands as a model of faith that "works" (James 2:21-23). It foreshadows the pattern throughout salvation history: God gives a command, and His faithful servant obeys without question or delay, trusting in God's promises even before they are fully realized. This response validates Abraham as a recipient of the covenant promises and positions him as a spiritual father, not just of a physical lineage but of a legacy of obedience to God's word.