Genesis 17:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

To provide him with further confirmation, God appended a new letter to his name and declared, "You shall be the father of many nations; your name will no longer be Abram, but Abraham, for I have made you the father of multitudes." The original name, Abram, reflected a journey, as those familiar with the Hebrew language explain, given that he was destined to leave his homeland for Canaan. Some may question how his parents, who were not faithful, could foresee such a significant future through his name. This illustrates the Providential Wisdom of God, which often works through those who do not believe. Similar occurrences can be observed in other cases, such as with Noah. His name was not given randomly; it foreshadowed the flood that would occur five generations later.

This matter indeed deserves attention, as it may cause some confusion. Why was Abram, the grandfather of Jacob, renamed Abraham? A look into the Scriptures reveals that prior to his new title, he was known simply as Abram, and thereafter exclusively as Abraham. Similarly, Jacob received a new identity when he was told, “Henceforth thou shalt not be called Jacob, but thy name shall be Israel” (Gen. 35:10). After Abram was bestowed his new name, he was never referred to as anything other than Abraham, while Jacob was identified by both names: Jacob and Israel (Gen. 35:22, Gen. 46:8, Gen. 48:2, Gen. 49:2). The designation of Abraham was to be made known in this current age, as he became the patriarch of numerous nations from which this name was derived.

In Greek texts, the term 'covenant' corresponds to the Hebrew concept of 'union' or 'covenant,' known as berith (בְרִיתִ֖). According to Jewish tradition, the divine name, represented by a four-letter term, included an additional letter he when referring to Abram and Sarah. Initially, Abram, meaning 'father of the high,’ was transformed into Abraham, which translates to 'father of many.' The phrase 'of the nations' that follows is not explicitly present in the name but is suggested. It is noteworthy that while I mention the addition of the Hebrew letter he, the Greeks and others refer to the addition of the letter a. This demonstrates a unique aspect of the Hebrew language, where he is articulated through he, while a is conveyed through a; similarly, the letter a can sometimes be expressed through he.

God transformed Abram’s name by adding a single letter, changing it to Abraham, which shifts the meaning from ‘father of many’ to ‘exalted father’ or ‘father of a multitude.’ Initially regarded as ‘barren,’ as he had yet to recognize God, he was designated as ‘the chosen one’ once he entered into relationship with the Divine. Although he had a child with a servant, he was not considered the ‘father of a son’ until his legitimate wife, Sarah, bore him a child. Upon her giving birth, he truly became the father of a son.

When Ishmael turned thirteen and Abraham was 99 years into his life, God appeared to him once more, reaffirming the previous covenant: ‘You shall be,’ He declared, ‘the father of many nations’ (Gen. 17:4). He transformed Abram's name to Abraham, meaning the father of multitudes, and likewise changed Sarai's name to Sarah, signifying a princess of many. Despite being ninety years old, the Lord assured her of the end of her barrenness and the promise of a son, Isaac, from whom a great nation would emerge.

But let your name be Abraham. The act of renaming in human traditions often reflects the authority of the one who renames and elevates the individual to a new role or function. For instance, Joseph is known as Tzaphnath-paneah (Gen. 41:45) and Daniel is referred to as Beltshazzar (Dan. 1:7). In other cases, a new name may signify a transformation that has already taken place; Noemi, for example, chose the name Marah (Ruth 1:20). God also bestows new names upon individuals, frequently in remembrance of significant events, such as when Jacob received the name Israel in acknowledgment of his struggle with God (Gen. 32:28). At times, these names signify a divine purpose or calling, as seen when Simon was named Peter (John 1:42, Matt. 16:18).

The name 'Abram' signifies “father of the high,” whereas 'Abraham' represents the father of a vast multitude. This new appellation was bestowed upon him as a symbol and assurance that he would be the patriarch of numerous nations, extending beyond his physical descendants. As Paul elucidates, this includes all who place their faith in Christ across the globe, for these believers are, through their faith, connected to Abraham as their spiritual forefather (Romans 4:16-17).