1897 BC · AM 2108 · Patriarchs

The covenant of circumcision; Abram renamed Abraham

When Abram was 99, God confirmed the covenant, renamed him Abraham and Sarai Sarah, gave circumcision as the covenant sign, and promised Isaac within the year (Genesis 17:1-21). That year is 1897 BC.

genealogical dating
📖 Genesis 17:1–3

1When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. 2I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” 3Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,

Connections

Quotation

Abraham made a father of many nations

Paul quotes God's naming of Abraham as a father of many nations while explaining that the promise rests on grace and is guaranteed to all who share Abraham's faith.

Romans 4:16–17

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

Genesis 17:5 says that Abram will be called Abraham because God has made him a father of many nations; Romans 4:16-17 says that Abraham is the father of all who share his faith and introduces the same promise with "as it is written."

Sources: AiG: Timeline of the Bible (chart PDF, 2005)
View on the timeline →