Genesis 17:7

Genesis 17:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

King James Version KJV

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

American Standard Version ASV

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I will make between me and you and your seed after you through all generations, an eternal agreement to be a God to you and to your seed after you.

Free Bible Version FBV

I promise to continue my agreement with you, and with your descendants who come after you, for generations to come. This is an eternal agreement. I will always be your God, and the God of your descendants.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Moreouer I wil establish my couenant betweene me and thee, and thy seede after thee in their generations, for an euerlasting couenant, to be God vnto thee and to thy seede after thee.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And I have established My covenant between Me and thee, and thy seed after thee, to their generations, for a covenant age-during, to become God to thee, and to thy seed after thee;

World English Bible WEB

I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your offspring after you.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Translation for Translators T4T

I will make this agreement between me and you and your descendants. It will be an everlasting agreement to be in effect for many generations. This agreement is that I will be your God, and the God of your descendants.

Plain English Version PEV

I am making this agreement with you, and with the people that will be born into your family later on. This agreement will last for ever. It will never end. I promise that I will be your God for ever.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 17:7

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 17:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/הֲקִמֹתִ֨י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֜/י בֵּינִ֣/י וּ/בֵינֶ֗/ךָ וּ/בֵ֨ין זַרְעֲ/ךָ֧ אַחֲרֶ֛י/ךָ לְ/דֹרֹתָ֖/ם לִ/בְרִ֣ית עוֹלָ֑ם לִ/הְי֤וֹת לְ/ךָ֙ לֵֽ/אלֹהִ֔ים וּֽ/לְ/זַרְעֲ/ךָ֖ אַחֲרֶֽי/ךָ

וַ/הֲקִמֹתִ֨י qûwm H6965 -kamai Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

בְּרִיתִ֜/י bᵉrîyth H1285 covenant N-fs | Suff

בֵּינִ֣/י bêyn H996 between Prep | Suff

וּ/בֵינֶ֗/ךָ bêyn H996 between Conj | Prep | Suff

וּ/בֵ֨ין bêyn H996 between Conj | Prep

זַרְעֲ/ךָ֧ zeraʻ H2233 seed N-ms | Suff

אַחֲרֶ֛י/ךָ ʼachar H310 after Prep | Suff

לְ/דֹרֹתָ֖/ם dôwr H1755 generation Prep | N-mp | Suff

לִ/בְרִ֣ית bᵉrîyth H1285 covenant Prep | N-fs

עוֹלָ֑ם ʻôwlâm H5769 forever N-ms

לִ/הְי֤וֹת hâyâh H1961 to be Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

לְ/ךָ֙ Prep | Suff

לֵֽ/אלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 God Prep | N-mp

וּֽ/לְ/זַרְעֲ/ךָ֖ zeraʻ H2233 seed Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff

אַחֲרֶֽי/ךָ ʼachar H310 after Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 17:7

וַ/הֲקִמֹתִ֨י qûwm H6965 "-kamai" Conj | V-Hiphil-1cs

Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.

Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

בְּרִיתִ֜/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.

בֵּינִ֣/י bêyn H996 "between" Prep | Suff

Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.

Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.

וּ/בֵינֶ֗/ךָ bêyn H996 "between" Conj | Prep | Suff

Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.

Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

וּ/בֵ֨ין bêyn H996 "between" Conj | Prep

Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.

Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

זַרְעֲ/ךָ֧ zeraʻ H2233 "seed" N-ms | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means seed or offspring, like in Genesis where God promises Abraham many descendants. It can also mean a plant or sowing time, as in Isaiah 55:10. This concept is central to God's plan for humanity.

Definition: : seed/sowing 1) seed, sowing, offspring 1a) a sowing 1b) seed 1c) semen virile 1d) offspring, descendants, posterity, children 1e) of moral quality 1e1) a practitioner of righteousness (fig.) 1f) sowing time (by meton)

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.

אַחֲרֶ֛י/ךָ ʼachar H310 "after" Prep | Suff

Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.

Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after

Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.

לְ/דֹרֹתָ֖/ם dôwr H1755 "generation" Prep | N-mp | Suff

This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.

Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)

Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.

לִ/בְרִ֣ית bᵉrîyth H1285 "covenant" Prep | N-fs

Usage: Occurs in 264 OT verses. KJV: confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league. See also: Genesis 6:18; Judges 20:27; Psalms 25:10.

עוֹלָ֑ם ʻôwlâm H5769 "forever" N-ms

This word means forever or always, describing something that lasts an eternity. It is used in the Bible to describe God's eternal nature and his lasting promises.

Definition: : old/ancient 1) long duration, antiquity, futurity, for ever, ever, everlasting, evermore, perpetual, old, ancient, world 1a) ancient time, long time (of past) 1b) (of future) 1b1) for ever, always 1b2) continuous existence, perpetual 1b3) everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity

Usage: Occurs in 413 OT verses. KJV: alway(-s), ancient (time), any more, continuance, eternal, (for, (n-)) ever(-lasting, -more, of old), lasting, long (time), (of) old (time), perpetual, at any time, (beginning of the) world ([phrase] without end). Compare H5331 (נֶצַח), H5703 (עַד). See also: Genesis 3:22; 1 Kings 8:13; Psalms 5:12.

לִ/הְי֤וֹת hâyâh H1961 "to be" Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a

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/ךָ֙ "" Prep | Suff

לֵֽ/אלֹהִ֔ים ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" Prep | N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

וּֽ/לְ/זַרְעֲ/ךָ֖ zeraʻ H2233 "seed" Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff

Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time. See also: Genesis 1:11; 1 Samuel 1:11; Psalms 18:51.

אַחֲרֶֽי/ךָ ʼachar H310 "after" Prep | Suff

Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.

Study Notes — Genesis 17:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Genesis 17:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 17:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 17:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 17:7
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 17:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 17:7
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 17:7
Sermons on Genesis 17:7

Context — Abraham to Father Many Nations

5No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

7I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

8And to you and your descendants I will give the land where you are residing—all the land of Canaan—as an eternal possession; and I will be their God.” 9God also said to Abraham, “You must keep My covenant—you and your descendants in the generations after you.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Romans 9:7–9	Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
2	Acts 2:39	This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
3	Genesis 26:24	and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
4	Genesis 15:18	On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your descendants I have given this land—from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates—
5	Leviticus 26:12	I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people.
6	Hebrews 8:10	For this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their minds and inscribe them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.
7	Genesis 28:13	And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.
8	Hebrews 11:16	Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
9	Galatians 3:16–17	The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise.
10	Matthew 22:32	‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’ ? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

Genesis 17:7 Summary

[God is making a special promise to Abraham and his family, to always be their God and take care of them, as we see in Genesis 17:7. This promise is not just for Abraham, but for all of his descendants, and it's a promise that God will always keep, as we also see in Deuteronomy 7:9. This means that God will always be with them and guide them, and they will always be His people. By trusting in God's covenant promises, we can have confidence and peace in our lives, just like Abraham did, as seen in Romans 8:28.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to establish an everlasting covenant with Abraham and his descendants?

This means that God is making a permanent promise to be their God and to bless them, as seen in Genesis 17:7, and this promise is also reflected in other parts of the Bible, such as Exodus 6:7 and Leviticus 26:12.

How does this covenant affect the relationship between God and Abraham's descendants?

This covenant establishes a deep, personal relationship between God and Abraham's descendants, where God promises to be their God and they are to obey and follow Him, as seen in Genesis 17:7 and also in Jeremiah 31:33.

Is this covenant still relevant today?

Yes, this covenant is still relevant today as it is an everlasting covenant, and its promises and principles continue to apply to believers today, as seen in Romans 11:17-24 and Galatians 3:29.

What are the implications of this covenant for our daily lives?

This covenant reminds us of God's faithfulness and love, and it encourages us to trust and obey Him, just like Abraham did, as seen in Genesis 17:7 and Hebrews 11:8-10.

Reflection Questions

What does it mean for God to be 'my God' and 'the God of my descendants', and how can I apply this to my own life?
In what ways can I trust God to keep His promises, just like Abraham did, and what are the benefits of doing so?
How can I pass on the knowledge and promises of this covenant to my own children and future generations?
What are some ways that I can show my gratitude and obedience to God for His covenant promises in my life?

Gill's Exposition on Genesis 17:7

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee,.... Not only renew it, but confirm it by the following token of circumcision: and thy seed after thee, in their generation; such blessings in it

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 17:7

And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 17:7

i.e. Whatsoever I am or have, all that shall be thine, and shall be employed for thy protection, consolation, and salvation. This phrase contains in it the confluence of all blessing, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. See 144:15 .

Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 17:7

Genesis 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.Ver. 7. For an everlasting covenant.] Circumcision, the outward sign of it, was temporary, and changeable into baptism; but the covenant of grace, thereby then, and by baptism now, sealed up unto us, is eternal; being established and ratified. by the death of the Testator, "by the blood of the Arch-shepherd". Here it must be considered that there is a twofold covenant: 1. Single; such as God makes with children, when baptized; viz., if you will repent, believe, and walk with me, ye shall be saved. Now, if they break the condition, God is freed, he it not bound any further. 2. Double; such as God makes with his elect only; and that is to perform both parts, sc., if you will believe, repent, obey, ye shall be saved: and further, I will give you a new heart, so that you shall repent, believe, &c., and be saved. Thus God undertakes for both parts, and so it becomes an everlasting covenant, such as hath the "sure" or unfailable "mercies of David" And here those, that are in double covenant with God, are fitly compared to them that are gone in at a church door: some are farther in than others, but yet all are in. So, though the weak in faith be not so forward, yet they may be in, though not so far in. And to thy seed after thee.] Dr Preston Of God’ s Attributes Tαοσιατου Dαβιδ

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 17:7

Verse 7. An everlasting covenant] ברית עולם berith olam. See Clarke on Genesis 13:15. Here the word olam is taken in its own proper meaning, as the words immediately following prove - to be a God unto thee, and thy seed after thee; for as the soul is to endure for ever, so it shall eternally stand in need of the supporting power and energy of God; and as the reign of the Gospel dispensation shall be as long as sun and moon endure, and its consequences eternal, so must the covenant be on which these are founded.

Cambridge Bible on Genesis 17:7

7. for an everlasting covenant] Cf. 13, 19. LXX εἰςδιαθήκηναἰώνιον. The relationship is to be one transcending the limits of time. The covenant is to be “established,” cf. Genesis 6:18, Genesis 9:9. The idea is slightly different from that of the covenant being “made,” Genesis 15:18. There the phrase refers back to the solemnity of ancient binding institutions; here it points forward to the permanence of a new and enduring relationship. God undertakes to be the God of Abraham and of his descendants. He will take care of them as His own, and they on their side will obey and serve Him as His people. Cf. Exodus 6:7; Deuteronomy 26:17.

Sermons on Genesis 17:7

	Sermon	Description
	(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
	Blood Covenant - Part 5 by Bob Phillips	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of covenant and its importance in the relationship between God and humanity. They emphasize the seriousness of entering into a cov
	The Great "I Am" by Mariano Di Gangi	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God is knowable and desires to make himself known to us. He distinguishes between natural revelation, where God reveals himself through
	A Saint at His Worst by J. Glyn Owen	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Abraham and how God comes close to him to reassure him of his covenant promises. The speaker highlights how God speaks to Abraha
	Abram, Abraham, and the Almighty God by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith focuses on Genesis chapter 17, where God appears to Abram when he is 99 years old. God declares Himself as Almighty God and instructs Abram to wa
	Some Strictures on a Late Treatise, Called, a Fair and Rational Vindication of the Right of Infants to the Ordinance of Baptism. by John Gill	John Gill critiques David Bostwick's treatise on the right of infants to baptism, arguing that the scriptural basis he presents, particularly Acts 2:39, is misinterpreted and does
	The Covenant by Henry Law	Henry Law preaches about the everlasting Covenant established by God with His people, emphasizing the blessings, privileges, and inheritance that come with being a true disciple of