NINETY YEARS OLD AND NINE] Ishmael was now thirteen years old, and Abraham probably expected no other heir. But his faith was to be put to a further test. THE ALMIGHTY GOD] Heb. _el Shaddai_: the name of power shows the ability to perform what was promised. WALK BEFORE ME, AND BE THOU PERFEET] i.e.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION This chapter is from the Priestly document, of which it shows marked characteristics: see preface to Genesis 15.... [ Continue Reading ]
God, on His part, promises to make Abraham the ancestor of many nations, and to give Canaan to his descendants. 4, 5. The patriarch's name in Babylonia had been _Abram_, meaning, perhaps, 'exalted father,' or, according to others, 'Ram (the lofty one) is father'; cp. Hiram, 'Earn is brother.' Under... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS MY COVENANT] i.e. this is the sign of the covenant, viz. circumcision. Not§ that both parties undertake obligations here as contrasted with the covenant in Genesis 15. CIRCUMCISION] (lit. 'cutting round') is the removal of the foreskin. The rite has always been practised by the Jews from Abr... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FLESH OF YOUR FORESKIN] better, 'the foreskin of your flesh.'... [ Continue Reading ]
EIGHT DAYS OLD] Until the eighth day children were considered unclean, and so unfit to be offered to God. 12, 13. The law of circumcision applied to all male members of Jewish households, who were henceforth regarded as Israelites, and shared in the national and religious privileges of the chosen r... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM HIS PEOPLE] This expression seems usually to mean that the offender is to be excommunicated, or cut off from all connexion with the Hebrew community, and from any share in the blessings of the covenant, nor could he claim protection for life or property: cp. Exodus 12... [ Continue Reading ]
Abraham was unwilling that Ishmael should be deposed from his position as heir: but God would prosper him also (Genesis 17:20).... [ Continue Reading ]
ISAAC] i.e. he laughs. The name would recall an event which made Abraham laugh with joy and probably also with wonder.... [ Continue Reading ]
TWELVE PRINCES] see Genesis 25:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ishmael was circumcised when thirteen years old, the age still observed by Mohammedans: cp. on Genesis 17:10.... [ Continue Reading ]