Genesis 17:5
What does Genesis 17:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 17:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 17:5 means
In a momentous declaration, God formally changed Abram's name from "Abram," meaning "exalted father," to "Abraham," meaning "father of a multitude." This renaming was not merely symbolic; it was an act of divine redefinition, solidifying his new identity and destiny in accordance with God's covenant promise. His new name served as a constant reminder, both to himself and to others, of God's incredible, future-oriented plan to make him the progenitor of countless peoples, linking his very identity to the fulfillment of the divine oath.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949No longer will your name be Abram, but Abraham, for I have made you the father of a number of nations.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and thy name is no more called Abram, but thy name hath been Abraham, for father of a multitude of nations have I made thee;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Neither shall thy name be called any more Abram: but thou shalt be called Abraham: because I have made thee a father of many nations.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And thy name shall no more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of a multitude of nations have I made thee.
Context
Coming immediately after the declaration that Abram would be the "father of a multitude of nations" (v. 4), this verse provides the concrete, tangible sign of that promise: a new name. The change from Abram to Abraham directly reflects and reinforces the expanded scope of God's covenant. This renaming is pivotal, establishing Abraham's identity in light of God's plan, and naturally leads into further details about the blessings associated with this new identity in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 62:2
And the nations shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.
- John 1:42
He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).
- Romans 4:17
(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.
- Nehemiah 9:7
Thou art Jehovah the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham,
- Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
- Genesis 17:15
And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.
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