King James Version

What Does Genesis 17:21 Mean?

Genesis 17:21 in the King James Version says “But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”

Genesis 17:21 · KJV

Context

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.

20

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly ; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

21

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

22

And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.

23

And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him.

Read Genesis 17 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in th... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Covenant Sign (Circumcision) emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאֶת1 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּרִיתִ֖י2 of 13

“But my covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אָקִ֣ים3 of 13

“will I establish”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת4 of 13
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

יִצְחָ֑ק5 of 13

“with Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אֲשֶׁר֩6 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תֵּלֵ֨ד7 of 13

“shall bear”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְךָ֤8 of 13
H0
שָׂרָה֙9 of 13

“which Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

לַמּוֹעֵ֣ד10 of 13

“unto thee at this set time”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

הַזֶּ֔ה11 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה12 of 13

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הָֽאַחֶֽרֶת׃13 of 13

“in the next”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 17:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 17:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 21:2-3Genesis 26:2-5Galatians 3:29Genesis 18:10Romans 9:9Romans 9:5-6

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