Genesis 17:5

KJV

Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Neither shall thy name {H8034} any more be called {H7121} Abram {H87}, but thy name {H8034} shall be Abraham {H85}; for a father {H1} of many {H1995} nations {H1471} have I made thee {H5414}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your name will no longer be Avram [exalted father], but your name will be Avraham [father of many], because I have made you the father of many nations.

Berean Standard Bible

No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

American Standard Version

Neither 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 17:5 marks a profound moment in salvation history, as God renames Abram to Abraham, signifying a pivotal shift in his identity and destiny. This change is not merely symbolic but a divine declaration of God's sovereign intent to make him "a father of many nations," directly linking Abram's future to the expansive, multi-ethnic scope of God's covenant promises, which extend far beyond a single lineage.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a critical covenantal renewal and expansion in [Genesis 17](/genesis/17 "Genesis 17 - The Covenant of Circumcision"). God appears to Abram when he is ninety-nine years old, a full thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael and the events of [Genesis 16](/genesis/16 "Genesis 16 - Abram, Sarai, and Hagar"). The immediate preceding verses (Genesis 17:1-4) establish God's self-revelation as "El Shaddai" (God Almighty), His command for Abram to walk blamelessly, and the reaffirmation of the covenant promise to make him "exceedingly fruitful" and the progenitor of "many nations." The name change in [Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "God Renames Abram to Abraham") directly follows this declaration, serving as the linguistic embodiment and seal of this grand, expanded promise. The subsequent verses detail the institution of circumcision as the physical sign of this everlasting covenant and the promise regarding Sarah and the birth of Isaac.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, names were not merely labels but often conveyed identity, character, or destiny. A name change, especially one initiated by a deity, carried immense significance, indicating a new status, role, or relationship. Such divine renaming was a powerful act, signifying a re-creation of purpose. Abram, meaning "exalted father," was a fitting name for a patriarch, but it was limited in scope. The new name, Abraham, explicitly incorporates the promise of universal progeny. The concept of "nations" (Hebrew: *goyim*) in this context refers not just to political entities but to distinct peoples or ethnic groups. God's promise to make Abram the "father of many nations" was revolutionary, transcending the typical tribal or nationalistic aspirations of the time and hinting at a global impact.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 17:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **God's Covenant Faithfulness and Initiative**, demonstrating that God sovereignly initiates and expands His promises, even when human circumstances seem to contradict them (e.g., Abram's old age). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Transformation and New Identity**, where God redefines an individual's purpose and destiny, as seen also in Jacob's renaming to Israel in [Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob Renamed Israel"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Universal Scope of God's Redemptive Plan**, foreshadowing that God's blessing would extend beyond a single chosen people to encompass all peoples and nations, a theme initially introduced in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abram to Bless All Nations"). Finally, it reinforces the **Power of God's Creative Word**, where His declaration brings into being the reality it proclaims, even before its physical manifestation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Abram (Hebrew, _ʼAbrâm'_):** This original name (H87) is contracted from a root meaning "high father" or "exalted father." It signifies a person of patriarchal authority and respect within his immediate lineage or community. The change from this name marks a shift from a localized or personal exaltation to a divinely ordained, expansive destiny.
* **Abraham (Hebrew, _ʼAbrâhâm'_):** The new name (H85) is explicitly interpreted within the verse itself: "father of a multitude." It is contracted from "father" (H1, _ʼâb'_) and an unused root likely meaning "to be populous." This name encapsulates the divine promise of an innumerable progeny, not just physically but also spiritually, indicating a vast, multi-ethnic family.
* **nations (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** This word (H1471) refers to a foreign nation, a Gentile, or a people group. Its use here signifies that Abraham's descendants would not be limited to one ethnic group (Israel) but would encompass diverse peoples. The promise of being a "father of many nations" (H1995, _hâmôwn'_ for "many," meaning "multitude" or "abundance") points to a global, rather than merely national, scope for God's redemptive plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram,"**: This opening clause marks a definitive break with the past. It signifies the end of Abram's identity as merely an "exalted father" within a limited scope. The divine declaration removes the old name, underscoring God's authority to redefine and reshape human identity according to His purposes.
* **"but thy name shall be Abraham;"**: This is the divine pronouncement of the new identity. The change is not a suggestion but a divine decree, establishing Abraham's new name as a permanent, covenantal reality. This new name carries within it the very essence of the expanded promise God is making.
* **"for a father of many nations have I made thee."**: (H5414, _nâthan'_ used here in the sense of "to make" or "appoint") highlights God's sovereign, performative power. It's a past-tense declaration of a future reality, emphasizing that this destiny is already accomplished in God's mind and will, irrespective of Abram's current circumstances (e.g., his age or Sarah's barrenness). The scope of "many nations" points to the universal reach of God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The renaming of Abram to Abraham in this verse is a powerful example of **Symbolism**, where the name itself becomes a living symbol of God's expansive covenant promise. It also employs **Etymological Play**, as the new name's meaning ("father of a multitude") is immediately explained within the text, underscoring the divine intention behind the change. Furthermore, the declaration "for a father of many nations have I made thee" is a **Performative Utterance** or **Divine Declaration**, where God's spoken word brings into being the reality it describes. This act of naming and declaring also serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing to the future fulfillment of God's promise through a vast spiritual lineage that transcends ethnic boundaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The renaming of Abram to Abraham is a profound theological statement about God's sovereign power to establish and fulfill His covenant. It demonstrates that God's promises are not contingent on human ability or biological limitations, but on His own divine will and creative power. This act underscores that true identity and purpose are found in God's call and the fulfillment of His promises, rather than in human lineage or achievement. It also begins to unveil the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, foreshadowing a salvation that extends beyond a single ethnic group to encompass all peoples.

* [Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "God's Promise to Make Abram a Great Nation and Bless All Families")
* [Romans 4:16-17](/romans/4-16-17 "Abraham, Father of All Who Believe")
* [Galatians 3:7-9](/galatians/3-7-9 "Those Who Are of Faith Are Sons of Abraham")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The transformation of Abram to Abraham serves as a powerful reminder that God sees us not merely for who we are in our present circumstances, but for who He intends us to be through His transformative promises. Our past identity, limitations, or perceived barrenness do not constrain God's ability to redefine our purpose and destiny according to His eternal plan. Just as God called Abram out of his former life and gave him a new name and purpose ([see Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's Initial Call to Abram")), He calls believers today into a new identity in Christ, promising spiritual fruitfulness and belonging to a spiritual lineage that is vast and diverse, echoing the expansive promise made to Abraham. This encourages us to embrace God's vision for our lives, trusting His power to accomplish what He has declared, knowing that our true identity is found in Him and His covenantal faithfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's renaming of Abram to Abraham challenge our understanding of identity and purpose?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to embrace a "new name" or a redefined purpose in your life, moving beyond your current limitations?**
* **How does the promise of Abraham being "a father of many nations" encourage you to think about the global reach of God's kingdom and your role within it?**

### FAQ
**Why did God change Abram's name to Abraham?**

Answer: God changed Abram's name to Abraham as a pivotal sign and seal of the covenant He was establishing and expanding with him. The new name, Abraham (meaning "father of a multitude" or "father of many nations"), directly embodies and proclaims God's promise to make him the progenitor of countless descendants, both physically and, more significantly, spiritually. It signified a divinely ordained new identity and destiny, moving Abram from an "exalted father" of a limited scope to the universal "father of many nations."

**Does the name change imply a new person or a new purpose?**

Answer: The name change implies a divinely redefined identity and an expansive new purpose, rather than an entirely new person. Abram remained the same individual, but his name now perfectly encapsulated the grand, multi-national, and covenantal role God had given him. It marked a transition from his former life and identity to one explicitly linked to God's vast, global plan for salvation. This transformation highlights God's sovereign power to reshape destinies and fulfill His promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound promise made to Abraham in [Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "God Renames Abram to Abraham"), that he would be "a father of many nations," finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Abraham indeed became the physical father of the nation of Israel, the spiritual lineage promised to him is realized through Christ, who is the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom the promise of blessing is extended (as seen in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")). Through faith in Christ, people from every nation, tribe, and tongue become spiritual children of Abraham, inheriting the blessings of the covenant, not by ethnic descent but by faith (as articulated in [Romans 4:16](/romans/4-16 "Abraham, Father of All Who Believe")). Christ's atoning work on the cross breaks down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ Breaks Down the Dividing Wall")), uniting all believers into one spiritual family, thereby fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham that "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "God's Promise to Abram to Bless All Families")). The vision of a multitude from every nation standing before the throne, worshipping God, is the ultimate realization of Abraham's promised progeny ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Multitude from Every Nation Worships God")), all made possible through the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 1:21

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Nehemiah 9:7

Thou [art] the LORD the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;

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].

Genesis 32:28

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Isaiah 62:2

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.

Isaiah 62:4

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.