Commentary

What does Genesis 17:17 mean?

“Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?” — Genesis 17:17

Commentary Devotional Prayer

Genesis 17:17 from the King James Version (KJV) reads:

"Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?"

This verse comes from the story of God's covenant with Abraham, which is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. The context of this verse is that God appears to Abraham and promises to establish an everlasting covenant with him and his descendants. As a sign of this covenant, God changes Abram's name to Abraham, meaning "father of a multitude," and Sarai's name to Sarah, meaning "princess." God also promises that Sarah will bear a son, even though she is well beyond childbearing age.

The verse in question captures Abraham's reaction to God's promise. At this point, Abraham is 99 years old, and Sarah is 90. The idea of having a child at such an old age seems absurd to them, and so Abraham laughs at the thought. This moment of disbelief and laughter highlights the human struggle to fully trust in God's promises, even when they seem impossible by human standards.

One of the key themes of this verse is the faithfulness and power of God. Despite the impossibility of Sarah bearing a child at her age, God's promise remains unwavering. This serves as a reminder that God's plans and promises are not limited by human limitations or logic. It also speaks to the idea that God's timing and way of working may be different from what we expect or understand. This challenges believers to trust in God's faithfulness and submit to His will, even when it seems illogical or unlikely.

Another theme present in this verse is the concept of divine intervention and miracles. The idea of Sarah conceiving and bearing a child at her age is a miraculous event that can only be attributed to God's power. This serves as a reminder that God is able to do the impossible and that nothing is beyond His capabilities. It encourages believers to have faith in God's ability to bring about miraculous outcomes in their lives, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between human limitations and God's infinite power. Abraham and Sarah's age represents the limitations of human capability, while God's promise and eventual fulfillment symbolize His ability to overcome those limitations. This serves as a metaphor for the broader message of the Bible, which is the idea that God's power and sovereignty surpass human understanding and capabilities. It also serves as a symbol of hope and encouragement for believers, reminding them that God is able to work miracles in their own lives, despite the seemingly impossible circumstances they may face.

In conclusion, Genesis 17:17 from the King James Version of the Bible captures the human response to God's promise of a miraculous event. It highlights the themes of faithfulness and power of God, divine intervention and miracles, and the symbolism of human limitations versus God's infinite power. This verse serves as a reminder for believers to trust in God's promises, have faith in His ability to work miracles, and to submit to His will, even when it goes beyond human understanding or seems impossible by human standards.