Genesis 17:24 kjv

And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:24 nkjv

Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:24 niv

Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

Genesis 17:24 esv

Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:24 nlt

Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

Genesis 17 verses

Genesis 17 24 Meaning

Genesis 17:24 states that Abram was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, signifying his immediate obedience to God's newly established covenant command. This verse underscores Abraham's advanced age at the initiation of the covenant sign, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promise regardless of human capability and Abram's readiness to walk blamelessly before the Lord by undergoing the painful procedure as a man well beyond his youth. It marks a pivotal moment in the physical establishment of the Abrahamic covenant within his household.

Genesis 17 24 Context

Genesis 17 takes place 13 years after the events of Genesis 16, where Sarai gave Hagar to Abram, leading to Ishmael's birth. At the opening of Chapter 17, God appears to Abram again when he is ninety-nine years old (Gen 17:1), initiating a renewal and expansion of the covenant first established in Genesis 12 and 15. God reveals Himself as El Shaddai, God Almighty, and commands Abram to "walk before me, and be blameless." He reiterates the promise of becoming the father of many nations, formally changes Abram's name to Abraham ("father of a multitude"), and Sarai's name to Sarah. Crucially, God institutes circumcision as the perpetual sign of this everlasting covenant for all generations of Abraham's male descendants. Genesis 17:24 specifically marks Abraham's immediate response to this divine injunction. This act of circumcision in an ancient Near Eastern context signified a covenant commitment and unique identity. While other cultures might have practiced forms of bodily modification, the covenantal, communal, and theological significance attached to circumcision in Israel was unique, distinguishing God's chosen people and rejecting pagan fertility rituals as its basis. The advanced age of Abraham at his circumcision highlights God's choice to work through seemingly impossible circumstances and Abraham's profound faith and obedience.

Genesis 17 24 Word analysis

• Abram (אַבְרָם - ʾAbram): Original name meaning "exalted father" or "my father is exalted." This verse immediately precedes his name change to Abraham (אַבְרָהָם - ʾAbraham, meaning "father of a multitude" or "father of many nations") in Genesis 17:5. His circumcision at this point physically seals the old identity to transition into the new, future-oriented identity tied to the covenant.
• was (הָיָה - hāyāh): The verb "to be." Simply indicates the state of his existence at that time.
• ninety-nine (תְּשַׁע וְתִשְׁעִים - tišʿa wəṯišʿīm): Emphasizes his extreme old age for fathering. This specific number underscores the human impossibility of bearing a natural heir with Sarah, highlighting the supernatural nature of God's promise and the miraculous birth of Isaac (Gen 18:11-14). It directly challenges any human presumption or strength, ensuring God receives all the glory.
• years old (שָׁנָה - šānāh): Refers to a full year of age. The full expression "ninety-nine years old" sets the timeline firmly.
• when (בְּ - bə-): A preposition acting here as a temporal marker, meaning "in," "at," or "when." It links the act of circumcision to his specific age.
• he was circumcised (הִמּוֹלוֹ - himmōlō): This is the Niphal infinitive construct of the verb מָלַל (mālal) or מוּל (mûl), meaning "to cut off," specifically the foreskin. The Niphal stem indicates a passive sense ("he was circumcised") but implies that he allowed himself to be circumcised, showcasing his direct and immediate submission to God's command. This act served as the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants (Gen 17:11).
• Word-groups Analysis:
  • "Abram was ninety-nine years old": This phrase highlights the paradox of God's promise. A man nearing the end of his reproductive life is chosen to be the progenitor of countless nations. This timing makes the miraculous birth of Isaac unmistakable evidence of divine power and faithfulness, not human ability. It prepares the reader for the seemingly impossible birth of Isaac promised in the subsequent verses of Gen 17.
  • "when he was circumcised": This phrase ties Abraham's physical transformation directly to the newly commanded covenant sign. It emphasizes his personal initiation into this new covenant relationship at God's appointed time. It is not an arbitrary age but the specific moment God chose to formalize and visualize the covenant's physical mark in Abraham himself, leading to the circumcision of his entire household (Gen 17:27).

Genesis 17 24 Bonus section

The institution of circumcision in Gen 17, and Abraham's immediate obedience to it at his old age, marks a clear theological divide from previous periods. Prior to this, individuals like Noah or Abraham were in a covenant relationship with God, but there was no mandated physical, permanent mark required for all males. This new requirement underscored a deeper, more demanding phase of covenant. It served multiple purposes:

• Identity Marker: It physically set Israel apart, signifying their unique relationship with God among nations.
• Reminder: A constant, daily reminder of the covenant obligations and God's promises.
• Test of Obedience: As seen with Abraham, it was a test of personal and collective submission to God's will, even in a painful and public way.
• Link to Progeny: Directly linked to the promise of "father of many nations" (Gen 17:5), as it involved the very organ of procreation, symbolizing the fruitfulness and perpetuation of the covenant people.The advanced age of Abraham not only showcases his faith but also the paradox that God chooses the unlikely and empowers the impossible, setting the stage for the New Testament's understanding of faith being reckoned as righteousness (Rom 4).

Genesis 17 24 Commentary

Genesis 17:24 is not merely a statement of Abraham's age at the time of his circumcision, but a powerful theological declaration. It serves as a testament to Abraham's immediate and radical obedience to God's command. His willingness to undergo a painful, non-life-threatening procedure at ninety-nine years old demonstrates a profound trust in El Shaddai, the Almighty God who can do all things, even provide an heir through his superannuated body. This verse precedes the circumcision of Ishmael and Abraham's entire household, setting an example for immediate obedience. The specific age of ninety-nine, coupled with Sarah's advanced age, underscores the utterly supernatural nature of God's coming fulfillment of His promise for a son, Isaac. This sign distinguished Abraham and his descendants from all other peoples, visually reminding them of their unique covenant relationship with the one true God and His promises. For the original audience, it reaffirmed the absolute authority of Yahweh over all life, contrasting with surrounding pagan practices, and emphasized that inclusion in God's covenant family was by divine appointment and required responsive faith, rather than by birthright alone, although physical descent remained important. This external act pointed to an inward commitment, laying groundwork for later prophetic calls for "circumcision of the heart."