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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Genesis 17  › Genesis 17:4

Genesis 17:4

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Genesis 17:4 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.

King James Version KJV

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

American Standard Version ASV

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations.

Bible in Basic English BBE

As for me, my agreement is made with you, and you will be the father of nations without end.

Free Bible Version FBV

“Listen! This is the agreement I'm making with you. You will be the father of many nations,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Beholde, I make my couenant with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'I — lo, My covenant [is] with thee, and thou hast become father of a multitude of nations;

World English Bible WEB

“As for me, behold, my covenant is with you. You will be the father of a multitude of nations.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And God said to him: I AM, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Translation for Translators T4T

“Listen to this agreement that I am making with you: People of many nations will be your descendants.

Plain English Version PEV

“I promise that I will do this for you. I will give you a big family. Lots of people will be born into your family, so that you will be the father of lots of nations.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 17:4

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Genesis 17:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB אֲנִ֕י הִנֵּ֥ה בְרִיתִ֖/י אִתָּ֑/ךְ וְ/הָיִ֕יתָ לְ/אַ֖ב הֲמ֥וֹן גּוֹיִֽם
אֲנִ֕י ʼănîy H589 I Pron
הִנֵּ֥ה hinnêh H2009 behold Part
בְרִיתִ֖/י bᵉrîyth H1285 covenant N-fs | Suff
אִתָּ֑/ךְ ʼêth H854 with Prep | Suff
וְ/הָיִ֕יתָ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-2ms
לְ/אַ֖ב ʼâb H1 father Prep | N-ms
הֲמ֥וֹן hâmôwn H1995 crowd N-ms
גּוֹיִֽם gôwy H1471 Gentile N-mp
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 17:4

אֲנִ֕י ʼănîy H589 "I" Pron
This Hebrew word is a simple way of saying 'I' or 'me', often used for emphasis. It is used by people like David in the Psalms to express their thoughts and feelings. The word is a basic part of the Hebrew language.
Definition: I (first pers. sing. -usually used for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 803 OT verses. KJV: I, (as for) me, mine, myself, we, [idiom] which, [idiom] who. See also: Genesis 6:17; Leviticus 19:36; 1 Samuel 25:24.
הִנֵּ֥ה hinnêh H2009 "behold" Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
בְרִיתִ֖/י bᵉrîyth H1285 "covenant" N-fs | Suff
A covenant is a promise or agreement between people or between God and people, like a treaty or alliance. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis, where God makes a covenant with Abraham. This concept is central to the Bible.
Definition: 1) covenant, alliance, pledge 1a) between men 1a1) treaty, alliance, league (man to man) 1a2) constitution, ordinance (monarch to subjects) 1a3) agreement, pledge (man to man) 1a4) alliance (of friendship) 1a5) alliance (of marriage) 1b) between God and man 1b1) alliance (of friendship) 1b2) covenant (divine ordinance with signs or pledges) 2) (phrases) 2a) covenant making 2b) covenant keeping 2c) covenant violation
Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.
אִתָּ֑/ךְ ʼêth H854 "with" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
וְ/הָיִ֕יתָ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-2ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לְ/אַ֖ב ʼâb H1 "father" Prep | N-ms
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
הֲמ֥וֹן hâmôwn H1995 "crowd" N-ms
Being in a state of turmoil or having a lot of noise is what this Hebrew word means. It can also refer to a large crowd or abundance of something, like in the book of Proverbs where it describes a multitude of people.
Definition: 1) murmur, roar, crowd, abundance, tumult, sound 1a) sound, murmur, rush, roar 1b) tumult, confusion 1c) crowd, multitude 1d) great number, abundance 1e) abundance, wealth
Usage: Occurs in 78 OT verses. KJV: abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult. See also: Genesis 17:4; Isaiah 33:3; Psalms 37:16.
גּוֹיִֽם gôwy H1471 "Gentile" N-mp
This word refers to a Gentile, someone who is not Hebrew or Israeli. It can also describe a large group of animals or a nation of people, emphasizing their unity and shared identity.
Definition: 1) nation, people 1a) nation, people 1a1) usually of non-Hebrew people 1a2) of descendants of Abraham 1a3) of Israel 1b) of swarm of locusts, other animals (fig.) 1c) Goyim? = "nations" Also named: ethnos (ἔθνος "Gentiles" G1484)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: Gentile, heathen, nation, people. See also: Genesis 10:5; Judges 4:16; Psalms 2:1.

Study Notes — Genesis 17:4

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Genesis 35:11 And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
2 Galatians 3:28–29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
3 Genesis 12:2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
4 Romans 4:11–18 And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. 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. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”
5 Genesis 48:19 But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
6 Genesis 22:17 I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.
7 Genesis 32:12 But You have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to count.’”
8 Genesis 16:10 Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”
9 Genesis 25:1–18 Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were descendants of Keturah. Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east. Abraham lived a total of 175 years. And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite. This was the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites. Abraham was buried there with his wife Sarah. After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who lived near Beer-lahai-roi. This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael, and these were their names by their villages and encampments—twelve princes of their tribes. Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. Ishmael’s descendants settled from Havilah to Shur, which is near the border of Egypt as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.
10 Genesis 36:1–43 This is the account of Esau (that is, Edom). Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, Oholibamah daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon the Hivite, and Basemath daughter of Ishmael and sister of Nebaioth. And Adah bore Eliphaz to Esau, Basemath gave birth to Reuel, and Oholibamah gave birth to Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These were the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan. Later, Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the people of his household, along with his livestock, all his other animals, and all the property he had acquired in Canaan, and he moved to a land far away from his brother Jacob. For their possessions were too great for them to dwell together; the land where they stayed could not support them because of their livestock. So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir. This is the account of Esau, the father of the Edomites, in the area of Mount Seir. These are the names of Esau’s sons: Eliphaz son of Esau’s wife Adah, and Reuel son of Esau’s wife Basemath. The sons of Eliphaz were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, and Kenaz. Additionally, Timna, a concubine of Esau’s son Eliphaz, gave birth to Amalek. These are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Adah. These are the sons of Reuel: Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah (daughter of Anah and granddaughter of Zibeon) whom she bore to Esau: Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the chiefs among the sons of Esau. The sons of Eliphaz the firstborn of Esau: Chiefs Teman, Omar, Zepho, Kenaz, Korah, Gatam, and Amalek. They are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Adah. These are the sons of Esau’s son Reuel: Chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah. They are the chiefs descended from Reuel in the land of Edom, and they are the grandsons of Esau’s wife Basemath. These are the sons of Esau’s wife Oholibamah: Chiefs Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. They are the chiefs descended from Esau’s wife Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. All these are the sons of Esau (that is, Edom), and they were their chiefs. These are the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, the descendants of Seir in the land of Edom. The sons of Lotan were Hori and Hemam. Timna was Lotan’s sister. These are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. These are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. (This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness as he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.) These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah daughter of Anah. These are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. These are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. These are the sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran. These are the chiefs of the Horites: Chiefs Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. They are the chiefs of the Horites, according to their divisions in the land of Seir. These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: Bela son of Beor reigned in Edom; the name of his city was Dinhabah. When Bela died, Jobab son of Zerah from Bozrah reigned in his place. When Jobab died, Husham from the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. When Husham died, Hadad son of Bedad, who defeated Midian in the country of Moab, reigned in his place. And the name of his city was Avith. When Hadad died, Samlah from Masrekah reigned in his place. When Samlah died, Shaul from Rehoboth on the Euphrates reigned in his place. When Shaul died, Baal-hanan son of Achbor reigned in his place. When Baal-hanan son of Achbor died, Hadad reigned in his place. His city was named Pau, and his wife’s name was Mehetabel daughter of Matred, the daughter of Me-zahab. These are the names of Esau’s chiefs, according to their families and regions, by their names: Chiefs Timna, Alvah, Jetheth, Oholibamah, Elah, Pinon, Kenaz, Teman, Mibzar, Magdiel, and Iram. These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they possessed. Esau was the father of the Edomites.

Genesis 17:4 Summary

[In Genesis 17:4, God makes a promise to Abraham that He will make him the father of many nations. This means that Abraham's family will grow and spread out to become many different groups of people, as we see happening in Genesis 25:23-26 and Genesis 36:1-43. This promise is a part of God's bigger plan to bless all people, as we see in Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:8-9. Just like Abraham, we can trust God to keep His promises and be faithful to us, as He is our loving Heavenly Father (Matthew 6:26, Luke 12:22-24).]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to make a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17:4?

In Genesis 17:4, God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him the father of many nations, which is a fulfillment of the promise made earlier in Genesis 12:2-3, where God says He will make Abraham a great nation.

How does this covenant relate to Abraham's name change in Genesis 17:5?

The covenant in Genesis 17:4 is directly connected to Abraham's name change from Abram to Abraham in Genesis 17:5, as God declares that Abraham will be the father of many nations, which is reflected in his new name.

What does it mean for Abraham to be the father of many nations?

In Genesis 17:4, God promises to make Abraham the father of many nations, which is later fulfilled in Genesis 25:23-26 and Genesis 36:1-43, where we see the descendants of Abraham becoming many nations, including the Israelites, Ishmaelites, and Edomites.

How does this verse relate to the bigger picture of God's plan of salvation?

The covenant in Genesis 17:4 is a key part of God's plan of salvation, as it sets the stage for the coming of Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Abraham, as seen in Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38, and through whom all nations will be blessed, as promised in Genesis 12:3 and Galatians 3:8-9.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean for you to be a part of God's covenant family, and how does that impact your daily life?
  2. How does the promise of God making Abraham the father of many nations give you hope for your own family and future?
  3. In what ways can you see God's faithfulness to His promises in your life, just as He was faithful to Abraham?
  4. What does this verse teach you about God's heart for the nations, and how can you be a part of sharing His love with others?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 17:4

As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee,.... Who was gracious to make it, faithful to keep it, and immutable in it, though Abram was but a man, and sinful: and thou shalt be a father of many

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 17:4

As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. My covenant is with thee - renewed mention is made of it as the foundation of the communication that follows.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 17:4

Both literally, or after the flesh, of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, &c., and spiritually, of all believers of all nations, to whom Abram hath in some sort the place of a father, ,17. Not only as he was the great example and teacher of that faith by which they are all saved, (as the instructors of others are called their fathers, both in Scripture, as ,21, and in profane authors,) but as he was made by God the head of the covenant, by or through whom the covenant right was conveyed to all his natural seed, and afterwards to the spiritual seed, all Gentile believers.

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 17:4

Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant [is] with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.Ver. 4. As for me.] Ego ecce . An abrupt speech, to show what haste God made to comfort and confirm Abram, now fallen at his feet. Thou shalt be a father of many nations.] The Israelites, Ishmaelites, Edomites, Keturites, &c., besides all believers.

Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 17:4

(4) Of many nations.—This is a feeble rendering of a remarkable phrase. Literally the word signifies a confused noise like the din of a populous city. Abram is to be the father of a thronging crowd of nations. And so in Genesis 17:5.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 17:4

4. father of a multitude of nations] “Multitude,” hamτn = “tumult.” LXX πολλῶνἐθνῶν.

Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 17:4

4. As for me — Contrast the thou in Genesis 17:9. Here God declares what he will do for his part; there he directs what Abram must do. A father of many nations — Or, of a noise of nations; a tumultuous mass of nations.

Sermons on Genesis 17:4

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee (Genesis) Genesis 17:1-4 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Genesis 17, which is considered a significant chapter in the book of Genesis. God appears to Abraham for the fifth time to make a covenant w
Stephen Kaung Vision #1 by Stephen Kaung Stephen Kaung emphasizes the significance of having a divine vision, drawing from Proverbs 29:18, which states that without vision, people become unrestrained. He illustrates this
John Nelson Darby Synopsis of the Books of the Bible - Genesis by John Nelson Darby John Nelson Darby explores the foundational themes of Genesis, emphasizing its unique character as the beginning of the Bible and the introduction of key principles regarding God's
John Gill Of the Exhibitions of the Covenant of Grace in the Patriarchal State. by John Gill John Gill expounds on the exhibitions of the covenant of grace during the patriarchal state, illustrating how it was revealed from Adam to Abraham. He emphasizes the significance o
John Nelson Darby Outline of the Book of Genesis by John Nelson Darby John Nelson Darby outlines the Book of Genesis, emphasizing the themes of creation, man's responsibility, and the unfolding of God's promises through key figures like Abraham and J
Lloyd Wineberg I Am God Thy Father by Lloyd Wineberg In this sermon, the preacher discusses various events and changes happening in the world, such as governments crumbling and the power to rule diminishing. The preacher emphasizes t
Thomas Brooks El-Shaddai by Thomas Brooks Thomas Brooks preaches on the name 'El-Shaddai,' which means 'God Almighty' as stated in Genesis 35:11. He emphasizes that God embodies omnipotence and sufficiency, being an all-su
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