Genesis 17:5 Commentary and Bible Study

His name is changed to reflect the blessing that God is giving him in the covenant. Abram means father of elevation or exalted father, but Abraham means father of a multitude. He would have a multitude of descendants because his seed includes all who trust in the coming Christ, both Jews and Gentiles. In Romans 4 you have the Lord's own commentary on these chapters in Genesis. ‘And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised;’ – the Gentiles in other words, as well as the Jews – ‘that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:’ – for Jew and Gentile righteousness will be given by God – ‘And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only,’ – the Gentiles again only – ‘but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law,’ – it wasn't the legal covenant with the Jewish nation – ‘but through the righteousness of faith’ (Romans 4:11-13). So these great promises in Genesis 17 and God's covenant was not just the covenant made with the Jewish nation, which lasted until Christ came, but Romans points out to us that it was the great covenant of grace with all who believe and that is what is referred to.