Genesis 17
DOYLYGenesis 17:2
- — three men] Whom he took to be three men. Bp. Wilson. It is very observable, that one of these appeared su-
periour to the other two: Abraham therefore addresses him as the chief, and Moses styles him Jehovah, which most Jews and Christians look upon as the incommunicable name of God: and therefore the far greatest part of the latter believe, that it was the Son of God, who appeared in that form. Others however, particularly some modern ones, maintain, that it was no more than an angel, who spoke in the person of God: though it is hardly probable, either that Moses should call an angel by that name, or that Abraham should intercede with Him, as he does, when he saith, “That be far from thee to slay the righteous with the wicked; shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” or that an angel should peremptorily say, “If I find fifty righteous within the city, for their sakes I will spare all the place.” So that the most probable opinion is, that it was Christ Himself, who is emphatically called “the Judge of all the earth.” Stockhouse.
Happy were the days, when celestial visitants thus deigned to descend, and converse with men, “as a man converseth with his friend.” But surely we have no reason to complain of any partiality shewn in this respect to our fathers; we, to whom this comfortable promise hath been made by the mouth of Tauris itself, “If a man love Me, My Father will love him, and we will come, and make our abode with him,” John xiv. 23. By His word and by His spirit, Christ continually visiteth His people, and dwelleth in the hearts of the faithful. Bp. Horne.
Genesis 17:5
- — a morsel of bread.] Rather, a loaf of bread; comprehending all necessary provision at a meal. Bp. Patrick.
The Eastern people in general are great eaters of bread; it being computed that three persons in four live entirely upon it, or else on such compositions as are made of barley and wheat flour. Frequent mention is made of this simple diet in the holy Scriptures. Dr. Shaw.
— comfort ye your hearts;] Refresh yourselves.
Genesis 17:12
- And he that is eight days old] The eighth day is the time of circumcision among the Jews, that is, the descendants of Abraham and Sarah; but because Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised, the descendants of Ishmael are not circumcised till that age. Circumcision was a type of baptism. Abraham was the first person circumcised; and he is also the first person called a Prophet in Scripture. Bp. Tomlins.
Genesis 17:14
- — that soul shall be cut off] The meaning of this phrase is much disputed. The simplest sense seems to be, he shall not be accounted one of God’s people. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 17:15
- — Sarai] Sarai means my princess, Sarah a princess, or the princess; a princess indefinitely: not of one family, but of many nations. Bp. Wilson, Calmet.
Genesis 17:17
- — laughed,] Not doubting of the promise, for the Apostle tells us the contrary, Rom. iv. 19, but out Vol. I.
Genesis 17:18
- — O that Ishmael might live before thee!] I believe, O Lord, as Thou sayest, that my old age shall be blessed with farther issue, for which also Thou wilt in all likelihood reserve Thy special and highest favour: but let not the son, Thou hast given me already, even Ishmael, be cast out and neglected by Thee: let it please Thee to continue him also to me, with much prosperity. Bp. Hall.
Genesis 17:19
- — Isaac:] Which signifies in the Hebrew he has, or shall laugh. He was so called, not from Sarah’s laughter, ch. xviii. 12, but from Abraham’s joy. His name was a memorial of his father’s faith, not of his mother’s unbelief. Stackhouse, Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 17:20
- — and will multiply him &c.] See the note from Bp. Newton, on the tenth verse of the preceding chapter.
— twelve princes shall he beget,] This circumstance is very particular, but it was punctually fulfilled. Moses hath given us the names of these twelve princes, chap. xxv. 13—16: by which we are to understand, not that they were so many distinct sovereign princes, but heads of clans or tribes. Heathen writers speak of the Arabian phylarchs, or rulers of tribes; and of that people having twelve kings over them. The people have ever since lived in tribes; and still continue to do so, as Thevenot and other modern travellers testify. Bp. Newton.
— and I will make him a great nation.] This is repeated twice or thrice; and it was accomplished as soon as in the regular course of nature it could be. His seed in process of time grew up into a great nation; and such they continued for several ages, and such they
E Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised. Abraham entertaineth three angels. Before CHRIST 1898.
Genesis 17:21
- But my covenant will I establish with Isaac.] My spiritual covenant; my everlasting covenant, chap. xii. 3. As for the temporal covenant, or promise, Ishmael was made as much partaker of it as Isaac; and so was Esau, as well as Jacob. Bp. Wilson.
St. Paul points out a material difference between these two sons of Abraham. He says that Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, was born only according to the flesh, in the common course of nature: but that Isaac was born by virtue of the promise, and by the particular interposition of the Divine Power: and that these two sons of Abraham were designed to represent the two covenants of the Law and of the Gospel; the former a state of bondage, the latter of freedom, Gal. iv. 22—31. Bp. Tomline.
Chap. XVIII. ver. 1. And the Lord appeared unto him] When we consider what our Saviour saith, John i. 18, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him;” as also John vi. 46, we must be convinced that it was not God the Father, who shewed Himself in these appearances; but that it was He, the Logos or Word, who appeared to the Patriarchs; and neither God the Father, nor His angels. Bp. Wilson.
— he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;] ‘At ten minutes after ten in the morning, we had in view several fine bays, and a plain full of booths, with the Turcomans sitting by the doors, under sheds resembling porticoes; or by shady trees, surrounded with flocks of goats.’ Dr. Chandler.