Genesis 17

Genesis 17 depicts God's covenant with Abram when he was 99 years old. God appears to Abram, identifies Himself as "the Almighty God" (El Shaddai), and establishes a covenant with several key elements:

1. God changes Abram's name to Abraham ("father of many nations") and promises that kings will come from his line.
2. The covenant is established as an "everlasting covenant" between God and Abraham's descendants.
3. God promises the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.
4. God institutes circumcision as the sign of the covenant — every male must be circumcised on the eighth day of their life.
5. God changes Sarai's name to Sarah ("noblewoman" or "princess") and promises she will bear a son despite being 90 years old.
6. Abraham laughs at the idea of having a child at his age, but God confirms Sarah will have a son named Isaac.
7. Abraham asks God to bless Ishmael (his son with Hagar), and God promises to make him fruitful as well.
8. Abraham, Ishmael, and all the males in Abraham's household are circumcised that same day.

This chapter is significant as it establishes the Abrahamic covenant, including the promise of many descendants and land and circumcision as the physical sign of the covenant relationship.