Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Genesis 17

Gen 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

appeared to Abram

The theophanies. Gen 18:1. (Gen 12:7; Rev 1:9.)

Almighty God

"Almighty God" (Hebrew El Shaddai)

1. The etymological signification of Almighty God (El Shaddai) is both interesting and touching. God (El) signifies the "Strong One" (Scofield Genesis 1:1, note). The qualifying word Shaddai is formed from the Hebrew word "shad," the breast, invariably used in Scripture for a woman's breast; e.g. Genesis 49:25; Job 3:12; Psalms 22:9; Song of Solomon 1:13; 4:5; 7:3, 7, 8; 8:1, 8, 10; Isaiah 28:9; Ezekiel 16:7. Shaddai therefore means primarily "the breasted." God is "Shaddai," because He is the Nourisher, the Strength-giver, and so, in a secondary sense, the Satisfier, who pours himself into believing lives. As a fretful, unsatisfied babe is not only strengthened and nourished from the mother's breast, but also is quieted, rested, satisfied, so El Shaddai is that name of God which sets Him forth as the Strength-giver and Satisfier of His people. It is on every account to be regretted that "Shaddai" was translated "Almighty." The primary name El or Elohim sufficiently signifies almightiness. "All-sufficient" would far better express both the Hebrew meaning and the characteristic use of the name in Scripture.
2. Almighty God (El Shaddai) not only enriches, but makes fruitful. This is nowhere better illustrated than in the first occurrence of the name (Genesis 17:1-8). To a man ninety-nine years of age, and "as good as dead" (Hebrews 11:12), He said: "I am the Almighty God [El Shaddai] … I will … multiply thee exceedingly." To the same purport is the use of the name in Genesis 28:3, 4.
3. As Giver of fruitfulness, Almighty God (El Shaddai) chastens His people. For the moral connection of chastening with fruit bearing, see John 15:2; Hebrews 12:10; Ruth 1:20. Hence, Almighty is the characteristic name of God in Job, occurring thirty-one times in that book. The hand of El Shaddai falls upon Job, the best man of his time, not in judgment, but in purifying unto greater fruitfulness (Job 5:17-25).

See other names of Deity, see Scofield Genesis 1:1, note; 2:4, note; 14:18, note; 15:2, note; 17:1, note; 21:33, note; 1 Samuel 1:3, note.

Deity (names of). Genesis 21:33. (Genesis 1:1; Malachi 3:18).

perfect

Or, upright, or sincere.

Gen 17:5 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.

Abram

Or, high father.

Abraham

Or, father of many nations.

father

Rom 4:17.

Gen 17:11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

token of the covenant

Rom 4:9-12.

Gen 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

circumcised

Luk 2:21; Rom 2:25-29; 4:10-12; 1 Cor 7:18, 19; Gal 5:2, 3; Col 2:11.

Gen 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.

Sarah

i.e. princess.

Gen 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!

O that Ishmael might live before thee!

Bible prayers (O.T.). Gen 18:23. (Gen 15:2; Hab 3:1-16.)

Gen 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

covenant

Israel (covenant), vs. 15-21; Gen 22:16-18. (Gen 12:2, 3; Rom 11:26.)

seed

Christ (First Advent). Gen 24:60. (Gen 3:15; Acts 1:9.)