Genesis 17:27

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and all the men in his household, both slaves born in his house and those bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

Berean Standard Bible:

And all the men of Abraham’s household—both servants born in his household and those purchased from foreigners—were circumcised with him.

American Standard Version:

And all the men of his house, those born in the house, and those bought with money of a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And all the men^{H582} of his house^{H1004}, born^{H3211} in the house^{H1004}, and bought^{H4736} with money^{H3701} of the stranger^{{H1121}{H5236}}, were circumcised^{H4135} with him.

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Commentary for Genesis 17:27

Genesis 17:27 is a verse that falls within the larger narrative of God's covenant with Abraham. In this chapter, God reaffirms His promise to Abraham, changing his name from Abram to Abraham and establishing the covenant of circumcision as an outward sign of this everlasting promise. The verse specifically states, "And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him."

This verse reflects several key themes:

1. **Covenant Faithfulness**: Abraham's obedience in circumcising all the males in his household, regardless of their status as born free or purchased as slaves, demonstrates his commitment to God's covenant. This act of faith was a response to God's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations.

2. **Inclusivity of the Covenant**: The circumcision of all males, including those not born into Abraham's family but acquired from foreigners, indicates that God's covenant was not exclusive to Abraham's direct descendants. It extended to all who were part of his household, foreshadowing the inclusive nature of the covenant that would eventually be offered to all nations through Abraham's seed, Jesus Christ.

3. **Physical Sign of a Spiritual Covenant**: Circumcision served as a physical sign of the spiritual relationship between God and His people. It was a tangible reminder of the promise and a mark of identity for the Israelites, setting them apart as God's chosen nation.

4. **Historical Context**: This event would have taken place in the Bronze Age, around the second millennium BCE, when the customs and laws regarding circumcision were being established in the ancient Near East. The practice of circumcision was not unique to the Israelites, but the significance God attached to it as a sign of His covenant was revolutionary.

In summary, Genesis 17:27 captures a moment of obedience and commitment from Abraham, illustrating the importance of the covenant between God and His people. It underscores the inclusive nature of this covenant and the role of circumcision as a physical symbol of a spiritual promise, which would later be fulfilled in Christ and extended to all who have faith, regardless of their ethnic or social background.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
3. Strong's Number: H3211
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלִיד
   Transliteration: yâlîyd
   Pronunciation: yaw-leed'
   Description: from יָלַד; born; (home-) born, child, son.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4736
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִקְנָה
   Transliteration: miqnâh
   Pronunciation: mik-naw'
   Description: feminine of מִקְנֶה; properly, a buying, i.e. acquisition; concretely, a piece of property (land or living); also the sum paid; (he that is) bought, possession, piece, purchase.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3701
   There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֶּסֶף
   Transliteration: keçeph
   Pronunciation: keh'-sef
   Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling).
   
6. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5236
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֵכָר
   Transliteration: nêkâr
   Pronunciation: nay-kawr'
   Description: ' from נָכַר; foreign, or (concretely) a foreigner, or (abstractly) heathendom; alien, strange ([phrase] -er).
   
8. Strong's Number: H4135
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּל
   Transliteration: mûwl
   Pronunciation: mool
   Description: a primitive root; to cut short, i.e. curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e. to circumcise); by implication, to blunt; figuratively, to destroy; circumcise(-ing), selves), cut down (in pieces), destroy, [idiom] must needs.