Genesis 17:3 kjv
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
Genesis 17:3 nkjv
Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:
Genesis 17:3 niv
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,
Genesis 17:3 esv
Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,
Genesis 17:3 nlt
At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him,
Genesis 17 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 17:1 | When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty..." | Immediate context of God's appearance and self-revelation. |
| Gen 15:18 | On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land..." | Precedent covenant where God spoke directly to Abram. |
| Num 16:22 | Then they fell on their faces and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh..." | A collective act of falling on faces in earnest plea. |
| Josh 5:14 | ...and Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped and said to him, “What does my Lord say to his servant?” | Joshua's humble worship before the Commander of the Lord's army. |
| Lev 9:24 | And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar, and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces. | People falling on faces in awe and fear of God's manifest power. |
| Judg 13:20 | For as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. And Manoah and his wife saw it, and they fell on their faces to the ground. | Manoah and his wife's prostration in fear and wonder after an angelic appearance. |
| 1 Kgs 18:39 | And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God! The Lord, he is God!” | People's response of worship and recognition of God's supremacy after divine demonstration. |
| Ezek 1:28 | ...as the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. | Ezekiel's personal experience of prostration before God's overwhelming glory. |
| Dan 8:17 | So he came near where I stood, and when he came, I was afraid and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” | Daniel's fear and prostration at the presence of a heavenly being. |
| Matt 26:39 | And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” | Christ's posture of humility and submission in prayer to God. |
| Rev 1:17 | When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last..." | John's similar reaction to a glorious revelation of Christ. |
| Rev 4:10 | the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever... | Heavenly beings (elders) demonstrating prostration in worship of God. |
| Rev 5:8 | ...the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp... | Heavenly worship and adoration of the Lamb of God. |
| Rev 7:11 | And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. | Angels demonstrating ultimate humility and worship before God's throne. |
| Psa 95:6 | Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! | Call to humble postures of worship and adoration. |
| Psa 2:11 | Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. | Admonition for humility and reverence in serving God. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son... | God's historical pattern of speaking to humanity. |
| Exod 33:11 | Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. | The unique, direct communication Moses had with God. |
| Phil 2:10-11 | ...so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. | Universal recognition of God's (and Christ's) ultimate authority and demand for submission. |
| Rom 4:3 | For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” | Abraham's faith is integral to his relationship and reception of God's word. |
| Acts 9:4 | And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” | Paul's prostration before Christ's divine voice and glory. |
| Psa 8:3-4 | When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him...? | Reflection on the insignificance of humanity compared to the greatness of God. |
Genesis 17 verses
Genesis 17 3 Meaning
Genesis 17:3 describes Abram's immediate, profound response to God's revelation, where he "fell on his face." This action signifies an act of deep reverence, humility, submission, and awe in the presence of the Almighty God. It acknowledges God's supreme authority, majesty, and holiness, setting the stage for the direct, transformative communication and covenant renewal that is about to unfold. His posture underscores the vast chasm between human finitude and divine infinitude, preparing him to receive the profound truths God is about to reveal.
Genesis 17 3 Context
Genesis chapter 17 is a pivotal moment in the covenant between God and Abram. It builds upon the promise initiated in Genesis 12 and formalized in Genesis 15. Abram is 99 years old, significantly older, and still without a natural-born heir from Sarai, indicating the deepening challenge to God's promises through human understanding. The chapter opens with God appearing to Abram and identifying Himself as "El Shaddai" (God Almighty/All-Sufficient), a new revelation of His character emphasizing His power to fulfill His promises, even when human ability fails. He immediately states, "Walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly" (Gen 17:1-2). Verse 3, where Abram falls on his face, is the immediate and natural response to this overwhelming divine encounter and the re-establishment of the covenant's terms and promises, before God even delivers the core pronouncements regarding Abram's new name and the sign of circumcision. It signals Abram's profound readiness to hear and obey.
Historically, in the Ancient Near East, falling prostrate was a common sign of respect or homage paid to a superior, whether a king, deity, or dignitary. However, in the biblical context, when directed towards God, it transcends mere custom and becomes an act of worship, expressing the infinite qualitative difference between the creature and the Creator.
Genesis 17 3 Word analysis
And Abram fell: The Hebrew וַיִּפֹּל אַבְרָם (vayyipol Avram).
- וַיִּפֹּל (vayyipol): This is a waw-consecutive imperfect verb from the root נפל (naphal), meaning "to fall" or "to fall down." The waw-consecutive imperfect indicates a sequential action, emphasizing that Abram's falling was an immediate and direct consequence of God speaking. It conveys the suddenness and spontaneity of his action. It is not merely sitting or kneeling, but a complete prostration.
- אַבְרָם (Avram): Abram, meaning "exalted father" or "my father is exalted." At this point, his name has not yet been changed to Abraham ("father of a multitude"), which will occur later in the same chapter. His action as Abram, the "exalted father," bowing so low highlights the greater exaltation of God.
on his face: The Hebrew עַל־פָּנָיו (al-panav).
- עַל־ (al-): "Upon," "on."
- פָּנָיו (panav): "His face." The plural form "faces" (panim) is commonly used to refer to the singular "face" in Hebrew, conveying a comprehensive prostration of the entire frontal part of the body to the ground. This posture represents the utmost humility, reverence, submission, and adoration. It symbolizes a complete surrender and acknowledgement of the divine presence, laying down one's very being before God.
and God talked with him: The Hebrew וַיְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ אֱלֹהִים (vaydabber itto Elohim).
- וַיְדַבֵּר (vaydabber): Another waw-consecutive imperfect, from the root דבר (dabar), meaning "to speak," "to talk." It denotes a direct, personal, and intentional communication from God. The direct address implies intimacy, yet the prior action of Abram highlights God's sovereignty.
- אִתּוֹ (itto): "With him." This emphasizes the personal, direct, and intimate nature of God's communication with Abram, despite Abram's posture of profound humility.
- אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): "God." This is the general Hebrew term for God, often associated with His power, majesty, and creative attributes. The use of Elohim here, rather than Yahweh (Lord), underscores the universality and absolute power of the Speaker. This highlights the transcendent God who is capable of bringing about what He declares, reinforcing the earlier introduction of "El Shaddai."
saying: The Hebrew לֵאמֹר (lemor).
- לֵאמֹר (lemor): This is an infinitive construct meaning "to say" or "saying." It often introduces direct speech or a summary of what is about to be spoken. In this context, it sets the expectation for the momentous words of covenant instruction and promise that follow.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
"And Abram fell on his face": This phrase dramatically portrays Abram's overwhelming reaction to the divine presence. It is a primal, spiritual response, a reflex of humility and worship that demonstrates total submission. This act underscores his recognition of God's immense power, purity, and supreme authority. It reflects the truth of Proverbs 18:12, that "before honor is humility."
"and God talked with him, saying": This part emphasizes the amazing grace of God to speak personally to a human being, even one so humbled. Despite Abram's prostration, communication is intimate and direct. The divine condescension is clear: the Almighty, to whom Abram prostrates himself, chooses to enter into dialogue, continuing His redemptive plan through direct revelation. This prepares the listener for the subsequent covenant promises and commandments.
Genesis 17 3 Bonus section
The act of falling on one's face before God is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, signaling significant moments of divine revelation, deep intercession, or profound worship. It differentiates from merely bowing or kneeling by indicating a complete prostration, where one's entire body, including the face, is pressed to the ground. This position signifies ultimate vulnerability, dependence, and reverence, reflecting the understanding that finite human beings stand before an infinite and holy God. It's often associated with fear (in the sense of reverential awe) and profound spiritual receptivity. This posture, adopted by prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel, by great leaders like Moses and Joshua, and even by Christ in Gethsemane, serves as a powerful biblical archetype for encountering God in His raw, overwhelming glory and receiving His Word. It represents the utter helplessness of humanity outside of God's grace and omnipotence.
Genesis 17 3 Commentary
Genesis 17:3 serves as a profound interlude in the ongoing covenant narrative. It’s not just a description of Abram’s physical posture, but a window into his spiritual state. God had just appeared as El Shaddai, "God Almighty," emphasizing His infinite capability to fulfill His word irrespective of human limitations or physical realities like Abram's advanced age and Sarai's barrenness. Abram's immediate, instinctive response of falling on his face is the biblical embodiment of absolute reverence. It reflects:
- Awe and Adoration: It's a natural reaction to the overwhelming majesty and holiness of God. Faced with divine presence, humanity's proper stance is humility, acknowledging God's unapproachable glory.
- Submission and Obedience: This posture is one of profound readiness to hear and comply. It signifies an abandonment of self-will and an embrace of God's sovereign command, essential for entering into or reaffirming a covenant with the Lord.
- Understanding of God's Character: Abram understands that the One speaking is not merely a powerful being, but Elohim, the creator and controller of all, capable of performing impossible things. His prostration is an act of worship flowing from this understanding.
This verse therefore lays the spiritual foundation for receiving the covenant: before God gives great promises and solemn commands, His servant must be in a posture of humility and submission, truly recognizing the awesome speaker.
- Example 1: In daily prayer, believers are invited to adopt a posture of humility, whether kneeling or falling prostrate, symbolizing complete reliance on God's will and power.
- Example 2: Before making significant life decisions, followers of Christ should emulate Abram's posture by humbly seeking God's divine word and surrendering personal plans to His perfect will.