Genesis 17:19 - God said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 17:19" mean?
Genesis 17:19 is a pivotal moment in the Abrahamic religions, and understanding its meaning requires considering the context of the story. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its significance:
"God said, “No...": This refers to Abraham's earlier suggestion to God (Genesis 17:18) that his current son, Ishmael, be the heir through whom God's covenant would continue. God is rejecting this proposal. While Ishmael is Abraham's son and will be blessed (as God later promises in Genesis 17:20), he will not be the son through whom the specific covenant line will continue.
"...but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son.": This is the core promise. Abraham and Sarah were both very old at this point (Abraham was 99, Sarah 90, according to Genesis 17:1, 17). Sarah was considered barren and past childbearing age. This promise is seemingly impossible from a human perspective, emphasizing the miraculous nature of God's intervention.
"You shall call his name Isaac.": God is not just promising a son, but also dictating his name. "Isaac" (Hebrew: Yitzchak) means "he laughs," or "he will laugh." This name is significant because Abraham laughed (skeptically, perhaps in disbelief) when God first made the promise (Genesis 17:17), and Sarah later laughed too (Genesis 18:12). The name serves as a constant reminder of the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth and the divine promise.
"I will establish my covenant with him...": This is crucial. God is stating that the covenant He made with Abraham (a promise of land, descendants, and blessings to all nations) will be passed down specifically through Isaac. This establishes Isaac as the chosen heir, the one through whom the Abrahamic line and the covenant will continue.
"...for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.": This emphasizes the long-term implications. The covenant isn't just for Isaac, but for all his descendants, guaranteeing a future of blessing and promise through his lineage. This is particularly significant in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as each traces its lineage back (in different ways and with different interpretations) to Abraham and, ultimately, to this covenant.
In summary, Genesis 17:19 is a divine declaration that:
Abraham's covenant will be passed on through a son born to Sarah, despite their advanced age and Sarah's barrenness.
This son will be named Isaac, a reminder of the initial laughter and the miraculous nature of his birth.
The covenant with Isaac will be everlasting, extending to his descendants and shaping the future of nations.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Divine Promise: This verse represents a concrete step in fulfilling God's earlier promises to Abraham.
Lineage and Heritage: It establishes the lineage through which God's promises will be carried, which is a foundational concept in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Miracle and Faith: The impossibility of Isaac's birth highlights the power of God and the importance of faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Exclusion of Ishmael (in terms of the covenant): It clarifies that while Ishmael will be blessed, he is not the chosen heir of the covenant. This becomes a point of divergence in the Abrahamic faiths.
This verse is not just a historical record but a theological statement with profound implications for the future of Abraham's descendants and the world.
Genesis 17:19 - God said, “No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
What does "Genesis 17:19" mean?
Genesis 17:19 is a pivotal moment in the Abrahamic religions, and understanding its meaning requires considering the context of the story. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its significance:
"God said, “No...": This refers to Abraham's earlier suggestion to God (Genesis 17:18) that his current son, Ishmael, be the heir through whom God's covenant would continue. God is rejecting this proposal. While Ishmael is Abraham's son and will be blessed (as God later promises in Genesis 17:20), he will not be the son through whom the specific covenant line will continue.
"...but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son.": This is the core promise. Abraham and Sarah were both very old at this point (Abraham was 99, Sarah 90, according to Genesis 17:1, 17). Sarah was considered barren and past childbearing age. This promise is seemingly impossible from a human perspective, emphasizing the miraculous nature of God's intervention.
"You shall call his name Isaac.": God is not just promising a son, but also dictating his name. "Isaac" (Hebrew: Yitzchak) means "he laughs," or "he will laugh." This name is significant because Abraham laughed (skeptically, perhaps in disbelief) when God first made the promise (Genesis 17:17), and Sarah later laughed too (Genesis 18:12). The name serves as a constant reminder of the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth and the divine promise.
"I will establish my covenant with him...": This is crucial. God is stating that the covenant He made with Abraham (a promise of land, descendants, and blessings to all nations) will be passed down specifically through Isaac. This establishes Isaac as the chosen heir, the one through whom the Abrahamic line and the covenant will continue.
"...for an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.": This emphasizes the long-term implications. The covenant isn't just for Isaac, but for all his descendants, guaranteeing a future of blessing and promise through his lineage. This is particularly significant in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as each traces its lineage back (in different ways and with different interpretations) to Abraham and, ultimately, to this covenant.
In summary, Genesis 17:19 is a divine declaration that:
Abraham's covenant will be passed on through a son born to Sarah, despite their advanced age and Sarah's barrenness.
This son will be named Isaac, a reminder of the initial laughter and the miraculous nature of his birth.
The covenant with Isaac will be everlasting, extending to his descendants and shaping the future of nations.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Divine Promise: This verse represents a concrete step in fulfilling God's earlier promises to Abraham.
Lineage and Heritage: It establishes the lineage through which God's promises will be carried, which is a foundational concept in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Miracle and Faith: The impossibility of Isaac's birth highlights the power of God and the importance of faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Exclusion of Ishmael (in terms of the covenant): It clarifies that while Ishmael will be blessed, he is not the chosen heir of the covenant. This becomes a point of divergence in the Abrahamic faiths.
This verse is not just a historical record but a theological statement with profound implications for the future of Abraham's descendants and the world.