Genesis 17

Jehovah, the Almighty God

El Shaddai — God Almighty

And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1–2

Jehovah appears to Abram in person, calls Himself God Almighty, and invites him to walk before Him and become perfect.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it · a traditional type, cited

• alluded to by Exodus 6:3 — "I appeared unto Abraham ... by the name of God Almighty."

Seed of Abraham

And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. Genesis 17:6–8

Jehovah promises an everlasting covenant with Abraham's seed and says kings will come from him. Jesus Christ, the King of kings, was born of Abraham's line, and Paul names Christ as the Seed.

How we know: another scripture interprets it of Him · the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by Galatians 3:16 — "And to thy seed, which is Christ."
• fulfilled by Matthew 1:1 — "Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."
• interpreted by Galatians 3:29 — Those who are Christ's are Abraham's seed.

Circumcision, token of the covenant

This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. Genesis 17:10–14

Circumcision was the sign of the covenant in the body. The Savior declared that the law of circumcision is done away in Him, and Paul teaches that its real meaning is the circumcision of Christ, made without hands, when we are buried with Him in baptism.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Moroni 8:8 — Christ's words: "the law of circumcision is done away in me."
• interpreted by Colossians 2:11-12 — The circumcision of Christ, made without hands, buried with Him in baptism.

Isaac, the promised son

Isaac — he laughs (rejoices; note17_b, Gen. 21:6 note)

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. Genesis 17:19–21

God promises a son whose birth is humanly impossible and gives his name before he is born. The covenant will run through him. That pattern is fulfilled in Jesus, who was also named from heaven before His miraculous birth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a traditional type, cited

• a type of what is in Luke 1:31 — Jesus is named by the angel before His birth.
• interpreted by Galatians 4:28 — "We, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise" (Isaac as a figure of the promise).