Genesis 17:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Observe, dear ones, how at this moment the Lord unmistakably reveals the future to the just.

In the Greek language, the term ‘covenant’ corresponds to the Hebrew word for ‘union,’ which is berith (בְרִיתִ֖). Jewish tradition teaches that the divine name, represented by a tetragrammaton, was enhanced with the letter he when applied to Abram and Sarah. Initially, Abram, meaning ‘exalted father,’ was transformed to Abraham, which is interpreted as ‘father of many nations.’ The subsequent reference to ‘the nations’ is not explicitly present in the name; rather, it is suggested. It is noteworthy that I mentioned the addition of the Hebrew letter he, while in Greek and Latin, we observe the introduction of the letter a. This highlights a distinctive feature of Hebrew: while he is inscribed with he, a is articulated through a; conversely, it is common for the letter a to be vocalized through he.

When Ishmael turned thirteen and Abraham was already ninety-nine years old, God manifested to him, reaffirming the earlier promise: ‘You shall be,’ He declared, ‘the father of many nations’ (Gen. 17:4). He transformed Abram's name to Abraham, meaning the father of many; similarly, He renamed Sarai to Sarah, signifying the mother of many. At the age of ninety, the Lord assured her of the end of her barrenness and foretold the birth of her son Isaac, from whom a great nation would arise.

I am My covenant with you. This statement appears abrupt and somewhat outside the norms of language. However, despite its brevity, it holds great significance. Nothing in humanity can compare to the disdain found within me, and nothing about God can match the grandeur that I embody. In ancient times, it was customary to avoid the use of the pronoun I in the presence of the utmost reverence, and thus I, in its supreme form, pertains to the essence of the Most High. The concise term I encapsulates the entire prelude to the subsequent declaration: “I am God Almighty, who alone am all and before whom all is nothing; I will, I command, I promise.” You will be the father of a multitude of nations. The vast number of nations originating from Abram is well acknowledged.

As the Lord further reveals to Abram the conditions of their covenant, He proclaims, 'Behold, I am,' meaning that through My own visage, and not merely as God, I assure the realization of My promises and commitments. 'Behold my covenant with you' signifies the nature of our partnership, which includes that 'you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.' Numerous peoples arose from Abram through his sons with Hagar, Sarah, and the Hittite.