Genesis 17:1-6

Abraham and the Covenant of Circumcision

¹ When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; ₁ walk before me, and be _n blameless, ² that I may make my covenant between me and you, and _o may multiply you greatly." ³ Then Abram _p fell on his face. And God said to him, ⁴ "Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be _q the father of a multitude of nations. ⁵ No longer shall your name be called Abram, ₂ but _r your name shall be Abraham, _{3 s} for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. ⁶ I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make _t you into nations, and _u kings shall come from you.

1. Cross References
   Genesis 6:9
   These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God.
   Deuteronomy 18:13
   You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.
   Job 1:1
   There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
   Psalms 119:1
   Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
   Matthew 5:48
   You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
   
2. Cross References
   Genesis 12:2
   And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
   Genesis 13:16
   I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.
   Genesis 22:17
   I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies.
   
3. Cross References
   Genesis 17:17
   Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?
   
4. Cross References
   Romans 4:11 - 12
   He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well.
   Romans 4:16
   That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring - not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
   
5. Cross References
   Nehemiah 9:7
   You are the Lord, the God who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and gave him the name Abraham.
   
6. Cross References
   Romans 4:17
   As it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations" - in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
   
7. Cross References
   Genesis 35:11
   And God said to him, "I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.
   
8. Cross References
   Genesis 17:16
   I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.