3
Abramאַבְרָםfellוַיִּפֹּלon his face,עַל פָּנָיוand Elohimוַ אֱלֹהִיםspokeיְדַבֵּרwith him,אִתּוֹsaying,לֵאמֹר
Genesis 17:3
Study it in the app“Abram fell on his face, and Elohim spoke with him, saying,”
God establishes his covenant with Abram and changes his nameFaithfulness
With the Hebrew beneath
Genesis 17:3, word by word
- Abramאַבְרָםavram
Abram
Abram, the name of Abraham before God changed it (Genesis 17:5). It means "exalted father".
Where else “avram” appears- fellיִּפֹּלyipol
fall prostrate
To fall facedown, or embrace someone.
Where else “yipol” appears- on his faceפָּנָיpanay
face
The front of the head, of someone or of God.
Where else “panay” appears- and Elohimאֱלֹהִיםelohim
Elohim
The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.
Where else “elohim” appears- spokeיְדַבֵּרyedaber
speak
To speak, say something; above all God to his people.
Where else “yedaber” appears- sayingאמֹרmor
say
To say with the mouth to someone what one thinks or wants, or to answer him.
Where else “mor” appears
The context
2I will set my covenant between me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.”
3 · This verse (above)
4“As for me, look, my covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations.
To study Genesis 17 in a group
1. What it says
What new names did Abram and Sarai receive, and what did Elohim promise Abraham (vv. 5, 15-16)?
2. What it means
What does it show about Elohim’s plan that Abram becomes Abraham, “father of a multitude of nations” (v. 5)?
3. How I live it
What helps you remember each day what Elohim has said about you and your life?