The Meaning of Genesis 17:15 Explained

Genesis 17:15

KJV: And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

YLT: And God saith unto Abraham, 'Sarai thy wife -- thou dost not call her name Sarai, for Sarah is her name;

Darby: And God said to Abraham, As to Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.

ASV: And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be.

Discover Genesis 17:15

CONTEXT: What is the Context of Genesis 17:15?

MEANING: What does Genesis 17:15 Mean?

WORDS: What do the individual words in Genesis 17:15 mean?

RELATIONS: What do the major concepts mean in Genesis 17:15?

What is the context of Genesis 17:15?

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name [be].

What does Genesis 17:15 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 17:15-27 - Isaac Is Promised

There are two allusions to laughter in these chapters. Sarah's was the laugh of incredulity, see Genesis 18:12; but Abraham's was the laugh of happy confidence, which reckoned on God. As r.v. puts it, he looked his difficulties in the face, and then turned away to the promise of God, and wavered not, but waxed strong, giving glory to God. Ponder Romans 4:20-21. Therefore, he obtained promises for his wife, for Ishmael, and for the coming child, which was to bear the name of Laughter, partly because of that hour, and also because he would bring sunshine into the old man's life. His heart had entwined about Ishmael. As he had watched the masterful and clever youth, he had said to himself, "He will hold the camp together when I am gone." But the divine covenant could not be with one that had slave-blood in his veins and was not to abide in the house forever. See John 8:35; Galatians 4:22. The covenant is always with Isaac. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 17

¹ God renews the covenant with Abram,
⁵ and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing
⁹ Circumcision is instituted
¹⁵ Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed
¹⁷ Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed
²³ Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised

What do the individual words in Genesis 17:15 mean?

And said God to Abraham as for Sarai your wife not you shall call - her name Sarai but Sarah [shall be] her name

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־ אַבְרָהָ֔ם שָׂרַ֣י אִשְׁתְּךָ֔ לֹא־ תִקְרָ֥א אֶת־ שְׁמָ֖הּ שָׂרָ֑י כִּ֥י שָׂרָ֖ה שְׁמָֽהּ

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר	And said
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular Root: אָמַר Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֱלֹהִים֙	God
Parse: Noun, masculine plural Root: אֱלֹהִים Sense: (plural).
אַבְרָהָ֔ם	Abraham
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular Root: אַבְרָהָם Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
שָׂרַ֣י	as for Sarai
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular Root: שָׂרַי Sense: original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham.
אִשְׁתְּךָ֔	your wife
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular Root: אִשָּׁה Sense: woman, wife, female.
תִקְרָ֥א	you shall call
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular Root: קָרָא Sense: to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.
אֶת־	-
Parse: Direct object marker Root: אֹות Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
שְׁמָ֖הּ	her name
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular Root: שֵׁם Sense: name.
שָׂרָ֑י	Sarai
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular Root: שָׂרַי Sense: original name of Sarah the wife of Abram or Abraham.
שָׂרָ֖ה	Sarah
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular Root: שָׂרָה Sense: wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.
שְׁמָֽהּ	[shall be] her name
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular Root: שֵׁם Sense: name.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 17:15?

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Similar Scriptures for Genesis 17:15

		2 Samuel 12:25 [2]
		Genesis 17:5 [2]
		Genesis 32:28 [1]