Genesis 17

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

God changed Abram's name to Abraham ("father of many nations") and promised that kings would come from his line. The covenant was established as an "everlasting covenant" between God and Abraham's descendants. God promised the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession. He instituted circumcision as the sign of the covenant — every male was to be circumcised on the eighth day of their life.

God changed Sarai's name to Sarah ("noblewoman" or "princess") and promised she would bear a son despite being 90 years old. Abraham laughed at the idea of having a child at his age, but God confirmed Sarah would have a son named Isaac. Abraham asked God to bless Ishmael (his son with Hagar), and God promised to make him fruitful as well.

Abraham, Ishmael, and all the males in Abraham's household were circumcised that same day.