Genesis 17:26 kjv

In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

Genesis 17:26 nkjv

That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael;

Genesis 17:26 niv

Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day.

Genesis 17:26 esv

That very day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised.

Genesis 17:26 nlt

Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day,

Genesis 17 verses

Genesis 17 26 Meaning

Genesis 17:26 records the immediate and literal execution of God's covenant command for circumcision, stating that on the very day of God's instruction, Abraham, then 99 years old, and Ishmael, 13 years old, were circumcised. This act solidified the physical sign of the Abrahamic Covenant upon Abraham and his firstborn son, demonstrating Abraham's unwavering obedience and highlighting the inclusiveness of the initial covenant community. It underscores the urgency and seriousness of God's commands.

Genesis 17 26 Context

Genesis chapter 17 is a pivotal chapter in the unfolding of God's covenant with Abraham. After an initial promise of land and descendants in Genesis 12 and 15, God appears to Abraham (then Abram) at the age of ninety-nine to re-establish and expand the covenant, formally renaming him "Abraham," meaning "father of a multitude." This chapter introduces circumcision as the outward, perpetual sign of this covenant, to be performed on every male eight days old, and on any male, born in the house or bought with money.

The preceding verses (Gen 17:9-14) explicitly lay out God's command regarding circumcision and its implications for both Abraham's descendants and his household. Gen 17:15-22 detail the promise of a son, Isaac, through Sarah, which Abraham initially doubted in favor of Ishmael. God clarifies that the specific covenant line will pass through Isaac, but also blesses Ishmael. The verse immediately preceding Gen 17:26, namely Gen 17:23, states that "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 that selfsame day, as God had said to him." Genesis 17:26 thus serves as a summary and emphatic restatement of this immediate and thorough obedience. Historically, this radical act set Abraham and his household apart from surrounding cultures, marking them as belonging to the one true God who had chosen them. The immediate action also highlights the solemnity and non-negotiable nature of the divine decree.

Genesis 17 26 Word analysis

• In the selfsame day:

  • Hebrew: בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה (bəʿeṣem hayyôm hazzêh)
  • Meaning: Literally, "in the bone of this day." The word 'bone' (ʿeṣem) here signifies the very essence or core, emphasizing precision, exactness, and immediacy. It means "on that very day," or "that same identical day."
  • Significance: Highlights Abraham's complete and instantaneous obedience. There was no delay, no hesitation, no waiting for a more convenient time. This underscores a key characteristic of faithful obedience to God's commands—it is timely and without reservation. This phrase is used elsewhere to denote definitive action, such as the day Noah entered the ark (Gen 7:13) or the day the Israelites left Egypt (Exod 12:41, 51).

• was Abraham circumcised:

  • Hebrew: וַיִּמֹּל אַבְרָהָם (wayyimmōl ʾabrāhām)
  • Wayyimmōl: 'he was circumcised'. The verb is in the Niphal stem (passive voice), indicating that the action was performed upon Abraham. While he directed it for others, for himself, it was done to him by someone else (likely servants as per ancient custom, or possibly an adult son).
  • Abraham: אַבְרָהָם (ʾAbrāhām), meaning "father of a multitude." At 99 years old, this was a painful and vulnerable act.
  • Significance: His willingness, despite his advanced age and high status, to undergo this physically demanding procedure signifies his deep trust and commitment to God's covenant. It demonstrates his personal submission to the sign he was commanding for his entire household. His action validates his leadership and sets an example of radical faith.

• and Ishmael his son:

  • Hebrew: וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל בְּנוֹ (wəyišmāʿēʾl bənô)
  • Ishmael: יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yišmāʿēʾl), meaning "God hears." He was 13 years old (as per Gen 17:25), an age where the procedure would be significantly more painful than for an infant.
  • His son: ਬְּנוֹ (bənô) - refers to Ishmael as Abraham's biological son, distinct from others born in his house or bought.
  • Significance: The explicit mention of Ishmael emphasizes the inclusiveness of the covenant's physical sign to Abraham's immediate progeny, even if he was not the son of the specific "promise" through Sarah. This demonstrates God's immediate command applied to all males within Abraham's patriarchal household at that moment, highlighting the corporate nature of the early covenant community. His inclusion also sets up a future dynamic between Isaac and Ishmael in the Genesis narrative, though the direct covenant line passed through Isaac.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised": This phrase strongly conveys immediate and personal obedience. It highlights the decisive nature of Abraham's faith; he acted without hesitation, affirming the covenant.
  • "and Ishmael his son": This addition emphasizes the extent of Abraham's obedience, including his household, starting with his most direct descendant at the time, demonstrating the patriarchal responsibility and communal scope of the covenant's initial application. It foreshadows the subsequent legal requirement for all male members of the community to be circumcised, whether born into the house or bought.

Genesis 17 26 Bonus section

• The age of Abraham (99) and Ishmael (13) highlights the commitment required for this act. At 13, the procedure for Ishmael would have been significant, showcasing not only Abraham's resolve but also Ishmael's (or Abraham's) will to submit.
• The ritual of circumcision, while physical, symbolized a deeper spiritual cutting away or consecration, separating the people of God for holiness and faithfulness. This physical sign pointed to the spiritual transformation that God desires for His people, a concept later developed into the "circumcision of the heart" in the prophetic and New Testament writings (Deut 10:16, Jer 4:4, Rom 2:29).
• Abraham’s immediate obedience here contrasts with past instances of his lack of trust, such as when he went to Egypt or relied on Hagar to produce an heir. This moment marks a turning point of absolute, unwavering trust in God.
• This act also signified a claim of ownership by God over Abraham's descendants. They were literally "marked" as His.

Genesis 17 26 Commentary

Genesis 17:26 provides a powerful testament to Abraham's faith and obedience, the core requirement of entering into a covenant with the Holy God. The detailed mention of the "selfsame day" stresses the urgency and the absolute nature of God's command; there was no procrastination or compromise. This immediate action was a costly one for Abraham, especially at 99 years old, showcasing profound trust in God despite physical discomfort and societal norms.

The inclusion of Ishmael at 13 years old, specified just before this verse and reiterated here, reinforces the household-wide nature of the initial covenant sign. While God explicitly states the covenant heir will come through Sarah (Isaac), Abraham faithfully applies the covenant sign to all within his care as commanded. This foreshadows the Old Covenant's inclusiveness of all male members of the Israelite community, irrespective of their immediate "covenant status" as heirs. It teaches that obedience to God's direct commands is paramount for all within His domain, extending beyond individual belief to communal action. The verse establishes the foundational act that set apart Abraham's descendants and household, literally cutting them off from other nations as a people dedicated to Yahweh. It highlights that true faith is manifested through prompt and complete obedience to divine instruction, transforming faith into action.