In Genesis 17, God appears to Abram (later called Abraham) when he is 99 years old. God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him the father of many nations and giving him the new name Abraham, which means “father of a multitude.” God also promises to bless Abraham and make him exceedingly fruitful. As a sign of the covenant, God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and all the males in his household.
Abraham falls on his face and worships God, expressing his willingness to follow the covenant. God further reveals that Sarah, Abraham’s wife, will bear him a son, even though she is advanced in age. God names the child Isaac and declares that He will establish His covenant with Isaac and his descendants.
Abraham circumcises himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household, including his servants. This act signifies their commitment to the covenant. Abraham is 99 years old, and Ishmael is 13 years old when they are circumcised.
This chapter highlights the establishment of the covenant between God and Abraham, the renaming of Abraham and Sarah, the promise of a son in their old age, and the commandment of circumcision as a sign of the covenant.