Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Genesis 17:5

Abram. — That is, high father.

Abraham = Father of a multitude, “raham” being an Arabic word, perhaps current in Hebrew in ancient times. Another interpretation of Abram is that it is equivalent to Abi-aram, Father of Aram, or Syria. This too is an Arabic form, like Abimael in Genesis 10:28. By some commentators the stress is thrown upon the insertion of the letter “h,” as being the representative of the name Yahveh or Yehveh. (Compare the change of Oshea into Jehoshua, Numbers 13:16.)

Continues after advertising

See also Genesis 17:5 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Genesis 17:5. _THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM_] Abram אברם literally signifies a _high_ or _exalted father_. Ab-ra-ham אברהם differs from the preceding only in one letter; it has ה _he_ before the l...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - The Sealing of the Covenant 1. שׁדי _shaday_, Shaddai, “Irresistible, able to destroy, and by inference to make, Almighty.” שׁדד _shādad_ “be strong, destroy.” This name is found six times in Gene...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 17 THE FIFTH COMMUNICATION AND THE COVENANT REPEATED _ 1. The communication and Abram worships (Genesis 17:1)_ 2. The enlarged promise (Genesis 17:4) 3. The covenant sign (Genesis 17:9) 4....

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    ABRAHAM. The fifth letter of Hebrew alphabet (= H), put in middle of his name. No. 5, _Grace._ See App-10. Abram. exalted father; Abraham. father of. multitude....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _Abram_ The shorter form is here used for the last time. Except in Genesis, it only occurs in 1 Chronicles 1:27; Nehemiah 9:7. _thy name shall be Abraham_ The change from "Abram" to "Abraham" is assoc...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART THIRTY THE STORY OF ABRAHAM: THE OLD COVENANT (Genesis 17:1-27) 1. _Synopsis of Chapter Seventeen_ Again thirteen years rolled away, and still the Promise was not fulfilled. But when hope might...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _NEITHER SHALL THY NAME ANY MORE BE CALLED ABRAM, BUT THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM; FOR A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE THEE._ Name shall be Abraham. In eastern countries the name given in infancy...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    17:5 Abram, (f-9) See ch. 11.26. Abraham; (g-15) Father of a multitude....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION This chapter is from the Priestly document, of which it shows marked characteristics: see preface to Genesis 15....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 17 GOD MAKES AN AGREEMENT WITH ABRAHAM V1 When Abram was 99 years of age, the *Lord appeared to him. The *Lord said to him, ‘I am God who can do...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    ‘Abram’ means ‘high father’. ‘Abraham’ sounds like ‘father of nations’. ‘Stay near to me and have no blame.’ God did not say, ‘Do nothing that is wrong. So you will have no blame.’ Instead, he said i...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וְ לֹא ־יִקָּרֵ֥א עֹ֛וד אֶת ־שִׁמְךָ֖ אַבְרָ֑

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    THE COVENANT SEALED Genesis 17:1 ACCORDING to the dates here given fourteen years had passed since Abram had received any intimation of God's will regarding him. Since the covenant had been made some...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    GOD'S COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM Genesis 17:1 At least thirteen years had passed since the promise of Isaac was first made. Years of sorrow and discipline, but God had not forgotten. Always under such cir...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This chapter gives the account of the fifth appearance of God to Abram in which a divine covenant was made. At this point his name was changed from Abram, which means exalted father, to Abraham, which...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    CIRCUMCISION AND THE PROMISE The act of circumcision was a part of the covenant which included the land promise (17:1-14). It should be noted the giving of the land was unconditional, but retaining it...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be (b) Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. (b) The changing of his name is a seal to confirm God's promise to h...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Abraham. Abram, in the Hebrew, signifies a high father; but Abraham, the father of the multitude: Sarai signifies my Lady, but Sara absolutely Lady. (Challoner) --- God thus receives them, as it were...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Neither shall thy name anymore be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. The name Abram signifies a great Father: and Abraham, the Father of a mult...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    We have had hitherto God's account of that which He had made; then the trial and utter ruin of the creature, with the revelation of divine mercy in Christ the Lord. We have had in fine the judgment of...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    In chapter 17 we have a fresh revelation of the Lord to Abram, and, I think, are upon higher and holier ground. It is not here calling, or worship, or the world and victory over it in Lot (12-14 [1]),...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    NEITHER SHALL THY NAME BE ANY MORE CALLED ABRAM,.... Which signifies an "high father", which name he bore for many years before he was the father of anyone: BUT THY NAME SHALL BE ABRAHAM: with all ad...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. Ver. 5. _Neither shall thy name any more, &c._] This is reckoned for a h...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    In token of this, his name was changed from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the _father of a multitude._ This was to confirm the faith of Abraham, while he was childless; perhaps even his own name w...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    [ABRAHAM.] 1 God reneweth the Couenant. 5 Abram his name is changed, in token of a greater blessing. 10 Circumcision is instituted. 15 Sarai her name is changed, and she blessed. 17 Izsaac is pro...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. Thus Abraham is again shown the great nation which through his Seed, the...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The Promise Renewed...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    SIXTH SECTION _Abram and the repeated Promise of God. The name Abram changed to Abraham. The personal Covenant of Faith, now a Covenant Institution for him, his Household and his Seed. Circumcision....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    THE COVENANT AND ITS SIGN - CIRCUMCISION Another thirteen years passes before the Lord's appearing to Abram now at the age of 99 years. In Chapter 15:1 He had told Abram, "I am your shield, your excee...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-6 The covenant was to be accomplished in due time. The promised Seed was Christ, and Christians in him. And all who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abram, being partakers of the same covenant...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    ABRAHAM, i.e. _the father of a multitude; Ham_ in the Hebrew being put for _Hamon, _ which signifies a _multitude, _ by a figure called _apocope, _ which is usual in proper names....

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    Here we have God's remedy for Abraham's failure set before us." And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared unto Abram, and said unto him, I am the _ Almighty God:_ walk before _ m...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 17:5 name H8034 called H7121 (H8735) Abram H87 name H8034 Abraham H85 made H5414 (H8804) father...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    Genesis 17:4 ‘And Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him saying, “As for me, behold my covenant is with you and you will be the father of a multitude of nations”.' The presence of Yahweh is...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    ABRAM Or, high father. ABRAHAM Or, father of many nations....

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: The revelation of God. Abram's name changed. Covenant confirmed. Circumcision established. Promise of Isaac. CHARACTERS: God, Abram, Isaac, Sarah, Ishmael. CONCLUSION: When man is in the d...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 17:1. _The Almighty God._ The original word Shaddai is often rendered, All-sufficient. He is so called because he sheds down blessings as the rain. Genesis 17:2. _My covenant;_ so called becau...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee_ SPIRITUAL PARENTAGE I. The change of name here made was founded on a change of character...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations_ THE SECOND STAGE OF THE COVENANT Already Jehovah, the Covenant God, had appeared thrice to Abram. 1. Simply to assure him that...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 17:1 Thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael, the Lord appears to Abram and announces that he will establish an eternal covenant with Abram and his offspring. Abram will beco...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 17:4 THE FATHER OF A MULTITUDE OF NATIONS. These words summarize the covenant being established by God. To underline their importance, the words are repeated at the end of v....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL NOTES.— Genesis 17:3. God talked with him.] “We must notice here the expression _Elohim_, and the _Dabbar_ (word). God, as the Author of the universe, begins a conversation with Abram, when...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 17:1 AND WHEN ABRAM WAS NINETY YEARS OLD AND NINE—consequently an interval of thirteen years had elapsed since the birth of Ishmael; the long delay on the part of God being probabl...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old (Genesis 17:1), So this is another thirteen years later. the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am Almighty God (Genesis 17:1); El Shaddai. So her...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    but thy name. Genesis 17:15 Genesis 32:28 Numbers 13:16 2 Samuel 12:25...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    ABRAM AND SARAI GREATLY ENLARGED Genesis 17:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We have passed by the sixteenth chapter of Genesis, it behooves us, therefore, to give some striking suggestions relative to Sarai a...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    In token of this, his name was changed from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the father of a multitude. This was to confirm the faith of Abraham, while he was childless; perhaps even his own name was...

Continues after advertising