Bible Strands
Genesis 17:21
But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks to Abraham during a covenant declaration, immediately after addressing Ishmael and before the narrative records His departure.
The words — The Hebrew אָקִים ('a.Kim) translates literally as "I will establish," directly governing בְּרִיתִ֖י (be.ri.T/i) for "My covenant," which denotes a unilateral divine commitment rather than a negotiated pact.
The thread — The timing reappears in Genesis 18:10 when God reiterates the promise, fulfills in Genesis 21:2 when Sarah conceives at the appointed hour, and continues in Genesis 26:2 where the LORD appears directly to Isaac.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that divine promises operate on fixed schedules and specific lineage, demanding precise attention to timing and obedient waiting.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Cross-references
- Genesis 21:2 So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.
- Genesis 26:2 The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt. Settle in the land where I tell you.
- Genesis 18:10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
- Romans 9:5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.
- Romans 9:9 For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”
- Galatians 3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.
- Genesis 21:10 and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”
- Genesis 46:1 So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
- Exodus 2:24 So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- Exodus 3:6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.