Favor · the best way to learn the Bible
Genesis 17 Bible study: New names
After thirteen years Genesis passes over, God calls himself God Almighty for the first time, renames Abram and Sarai before the promise comes true, and gives the sign of circumcision to the whole household, men bought from foreigners included. The Bible's first use of the word laugh is Abraham's, and it becomes Isaac's name.
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
“I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your offspring after you.”
Try it · Did you catch it?
“Abraham laughed at God's promise of a son before Sarah did.”
Is that in Genesis 17, or not? Make your call.
What's really going on
Thirteen years later
Chapter 16 ended with Abram eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born (16:16). Chapter 17 begins, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram" (17:1). Genesis tells us nothing about the thirteen years in between. Then God speaks, and names himself for the first time in the Bible as "God Almighty".
Where it leads to Jesus
Father of many nations
Genesis 17:5leads toRomans 4:16-17
God renames Abram "father of a multitude of nations". Paul quotes it, "I have made you a father of many nations", and says Abraham "is the father of us all", everyone who shares his faith in the God "who gives life to the dead".
Honest questions
Questions people ask about Genesis 17
That was a taste
The rest of Genesis 17 is waiting in Favor
- New names before the promise comes true
- A sign for the whole household
- Not Ishmael, but Ishmael blessed
- Circumcision of the heart
- Father of many nations
- 10 questions as you read
- 4 more Hebrew words
- A short check at the end
- Your notes, saved as you go
Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Genesis 17 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.
The Hebrew word behind it
אֵל שַׁדַּיEl Shaddaisay EL shad-DAI
God Almighty. Strong's gives "the Almighty"; Brown-Driver-Briggs says the word's origin is uncertain and lists two suggestions, "(self-)sufficient" and "Almighty". Shaddai first appears in the Bible here (17:1). Isaac uses the name when he blesses Jacob (28:3), God says "I am God Almighty" to Jacob (35:11), and in Exodus he says, "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty" (6:3).
For your group
Genesis 17 Bible study questions
- 1God gave Abram and Sarai new names before the promise came true. What might it mean for you to live now by what God has promised?
- 2Abraham laughed at the promise. Is there a promise of God that you find hard to take seriously?
- 3Abraham obeyed "in the same day". What makes quick obedience hard for you?
Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Genesis 17 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.
Start a Bible studyThe best way to learn the Bible
Favor opens up every chapter as you read.
Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.
Every chapter explains itself
As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.
The Hebrew and Greek behind it
Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.
Every page leads to Jesus
Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.
Better together
Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.
- 1
Start your free week
Sign up in a minute with your email.
- 2
Read a few minutes a day
Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.
- 3
Bring your people, if you like
Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.
First week free, then $10 a month per person
Questions
What is Favor?
Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.
How much does it cost?
Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.
Can I read Genesis 17 straight away?
Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Genesis 17 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.
Do I need a group?
No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.
I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?
Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.
Which Bible does Favor use?
The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.
Is Favor tied to a church?
No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.
Start with Genesis 17
The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.
There's a seat for you at the table.
Start your free weekFirst week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home