Bible Strands
Genesis 17:26
Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records the execution of God’s covenant command as Abraham and his son Ishmael undergo circumcision. The event is placed chronologically after noting Ishmael’s thirteenth year and immediately precedes the circumcision of Abraham’s entire household.
The words — The phrase בְּעֶצֶם הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה (be-'etzem hay-yom ha-zeh) literally renders "on the very substance of this day." The verb נִמּוֹל (ni-mol) states "he was circumcised," marking the action as a completed, passive event.
The thread — This simultaneous circumcision of father and son aligns with the immediate obedience recorded when Abram departed for Canaan (Genesis 12:4) and the swift preparation seen when Abraham rose to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22:3). The pattern of unhesitating compliance with divine instruction reappears in the psalmist’s vow to hurry without delay (Psalms 119:60).
Why it lands — The text requires acknowledgment that covenant obedience demands immediate and comprehensive action across generations. It asks the reader to execute divine commands without postponement or partial compliance.
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
In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.
Cross-references
- Genesis 12:4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
- Genesis 22:3 So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.
- Psalms 119:60 I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.