Genesis 17:25 kjv

And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:25 nkjv

And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:25 niv

and his son Ishmael was thirteen;

Genesis 17:25 esv

And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:25 nlt

and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen.

Genesis 17 verses

Genesis 17 25 Meaning

Genesis 17:25 states that Ishmael, Abraham's son, was thirteen years old when he received the sign of circumcision, an act performed "in the flesh of his foreskin." This verse confirms the immediate and full obedience of Abraham to God's command regarding the covenant sign, extending it to every male within his household as required. It highlights Ishmael's inclusion in this physical mark, though he was not the promised son of the covenant's specific lineage (which would be Isaac). The precise age recorded marks a distinction from the norm later established for Isaac (at eight days old) and underscores Ishmael's identity at this pivotal moment in the Abrahamic narrative.

Genesis 17 25 Context

Genesis chapter 17 is a pivotal chapter in the Abrahamic narrative. It records God's re-establishment and amplification of His covenant with Abram, revealing Him as El Shaddai (God Almighty). God changes Abram's name to Abraham ("father of a multitude") and Sarai's to Sarah, promising them a son, Isaac, through whom the covenant promises will continue. Central to this chapter is the institution of circumcision as the perpetual sign of this covenant for all Abraham's male descendants. God explicitly commands that every male in Abraham's household, whether born in the house or bought with money, must be circumcised. Genesis 17:25 directly follows God's command and Abraham's immediate action of circumcising himself, Ishmael, and all males in his household. This verse specifies Ishmael's age, providing a critical detail within the narrative of Abraham's obedience and the differentiation of the covenant's lineal promises. Historically and culturally, circumcision was practiced by some surrounding nations, but for Abraham's lineage, it uniquely signified a specific covenant relationship with Yahweh and carried distinct theological weight concerning inheritance and belonging to the chosen people. This practice implicitly served as a polemic against indiscriminate practices or non-covenantal beliefs, establishing a unique identity for Abraham's descendants marked by divine ordinance.

Genesis 17 25 Word analysis

• And Ishmael (וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל, v'Yishma'el): The conjunction "and" links this action directly to Abraham's preceding obedience. Yishma'el means "God hears" (from Hebrew shama "to hear" and El "God"). This name itself reflects Hagar's initial experience with God's listening to her distress (Gen 16:11) and connects to God hearing Ishmael later in the desert (Gen 21:17). His name foreshadows God's care, even though he is not the son of promise.
• his son (בְּנוֹ, b'no): Affirms the paternal relationship with Abraham, emphasizing that he is a part of Abraham's immediate household, and thus subject to the covenant sign even if not the primary heir of the specific promises related to Isaac.
• was thirteen years old (בֶּן שְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה, ben sh'losh 'esreh shana): This specific age, "son of thirteen years," is highly significant. It explicitly contrasts with the 8th-day circumcision that would be prescribed later for Isaac and enshrined in the Mosaic Law (Lev 12:3). This age became foundational for Islamic practice of circumcision, associating it directly with Ishmael. It underscores a distinction in the timing and possibly in the direct lineage of covenant inheritance, though he was included in the physical sign.
• when he was circumcised (בְּהִמֹּלוֹ, b'himmolo): The Hebrew verb is in the Niphal (passive) stem, emphasizing that the action was performed on him, rather than he performed it himself. This signifies Abraham's active role as the circumciser, and Ishmael as the recipient of the covenant sign under Abraham's headship.
• in the flesh (אֵת בְּשַׂר, et b'sar): Specifies the physical, tangible nature of the act. The covenant sign was not merely symbolic but involved a physical alteration to the body, emphasizing its concrete reality and commitment. Basar refers to the physical body or flesh.
• of his foreskin (עָרְלָתוֹ, 'orlato): Refers to the specific part of the male anatomy that is to be removed. The term 'orlah (foreskin) is later used metaphorically in Scripture to describe a spiritual "uncircumcised heart" (e.g., Deut 10:16, Jer 4:4), signifying a lack of spiritual responsiveness or receptivity to God's word, highlighting that the physical act pointed to a deeper spiritual reality.

Genesis 17 25 Bonus section

• The age of thirteen for Ishmael (and thus for males in Abraham's house born or bought before Isaac's birth) has been a significant point of historical divergence in practice for Abraham's descendants. While Jewish tradition adheres to the eighth day as established for Isaac, Islamic tradition connects male circumcision at or around the age of puberty (often 13) to Ishmael's example. This highlights how this single verse provided a foundational practice for a major religious group.
• The phrase "in the flesh of his foreskin" underscores the visible and tangible nature of this covenant sign. It was not a hidden or private mark but an outward identifier of Abraham's household and their unique relationship with God, visible to themselves and others.
• Ishmael's inclusion in circumcision demonstrates God's consistent dealing with Abraham's entire immediate family according to the covenant parameters, even as His redemptive plan narrows through Isaac. God honors His word regarding Ishmael's future while remaining true to the specific promises concerning Isaac.

Genesis 17 25 Commentary

Genesis 17:25 is a terse but deeply significant verse. It is a testament to Abraham's immediate and comprehensive obedience to God's covenant command. God's directive to circumcise every male in Abraham's household was broad, and this verse confirms that even Ishmael, though not the son of promise, was not excluded from this covenant sign. His age of thirteen at the time of his circumcision differentiates him from Isaac, who would be circumcised at eight days old (Gen 21:4), a standard later formalized in the Law. This distinction emphasizes that while Ishmael was blessed and given a future by God, the specific covenantal promises concerning the Messiah and the inheritance of the land would flow solely through Isaac. The verse thus sets Ishmael apart in timing yet within the sphere of Abraham's family marked by God's covenant, showing God's precise dealings and Abraham's faithfulness in fulfilling them. This physical act pointed to a spiritual reality, a foreshadowing of the need for an "uncircumcised heart" to be spiritually cut off from disobedience, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.