Genesis 17:22
When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Genesis 17:22
When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The narrative emphasizes that God went up from Abraham, not just departed. This suggests a literal, visible ascent, affirming the divine nature of the encounter and solidifying Abraham’s certainty that he had indeed communed with God Himself, not a mere angel or human. This visible departure provided the ultimate proof of God’s presence and the divine origin of the covenant promises just made.
After a profound conversation where God established a new covenant with Abraham, changing his name and promising a son through Sarah, God departed from Abraham's presence. Immediately following this divine encounter, Abraham fulfilled God's command by circumcising himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household. This act of obedience marked the tangible beginning of Abraham's commitment to the covenant.
Ever wonder what it felt like for Abraham when God, after their intense conversation, visibly ascended into heaven? This wasn't just a spiritual departure; it was a powerful, tangible sign.
The verse states, 'God went up from Abraham.' This wasn't a fading away or a mere sense of God's presence leaving. Commentators like Clarke and Poole suggest this was a visible, physical ascent. Imagine the awe!
After God's dramatic departure, Abraham was left alone with the weight of their conversation. What remained wasn't a visible sign, but an invisible reality that would shape his life.
While the physical presence of God ascended, the covenant established between them remained. Calvin and others emphasize that God's promises and the covenant relationship don't cease with His visible departure.
Understand the original words
Elohim · Hebrew Noun
The supreme Creator, Ruler, and Judge of the universe. In the Hebrew Bible, this term (Elohim) emphasizes His power, sovereignty, and role as the source of all existence.
Avraham · Hebrew Noun
The father of the nation of Israel and the spiritual father of all who have faith in God. He is known for his obedience and the covenantal relationship God established with him.
c. 2090 BC— this verse
God establishes covenant with Abram
God appears to Abram (then 99 years old), renames him Abraham, and establishes a covenant, promising him numerous descendants and making him the father of many nations.
c. 2090 BC
Abraham circumcises his household
As a sign of the covenant, Abraham circumcises himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household on the same day God appeared to him.
c. 2089 BC
Birth of Isaac
Abraham's wife Sarah (formerly Sarai), though impossibly old, conceives and gives birth to Isaac, the son of the promise.
c. 2075 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Abraham's son Ishmael, born to Hagar, is circumcised at age 13. While blessed by God, Ishmael is not the heir of the covenant promises.
This passage also describes God ascending after a divine encounter with Jacob, showing a pattern of God's visible departure after speaking.
Luke 24:51This New Testament passage parallels the Old Testament account, describing Jesus ascending into heaven after blessing His disciples, offering a Christological perspective on divine departure.
John 16:28Jesus speaks of leaving the disciples but returning to the Father, highlighting the theme of a divine being departing from human interaction and returning to His heavenly abode.
John 20:17Mary Magdalene is told by Jesus not to hold onto Him because He has not yet ascended to the Father, connecting the physical departure of Christ with His return to God.
calvinGenesis 17:1-27: "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."
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.
Tunc Abraham tulit Ismael filium suum, et omnes vernas domus suae, et…
gillGenesis 17:22: "And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham."
And he left off talking; with him,.... After he had finished all he had to say to him at this time. It was great condescension in the divine Being to talk with a creature; it was wonderful grace and kindness to make such promises to him, as he did, and indulge him with answers of prayer and communion with him; but the highest enjoyments of God here are not lasting; uninterrupted communion with him is reserved for a…
The narrative emphasizes that God went up from Abraham, not just departed. This suggests a literal, visible ascent, affirming the divine nature of the encounter and solidifying Abraham’s certainty that he had indeed communed with God Himself, not a mere angel or human. This visible departure provided the ultimate proof of God’s presence and the divine origin of the covenant promises just made.
After a profound conversation where God established a new covenant with Abraham, changing his name and promising a son through Sarah, God departed from Abraham's presence. Immediately following this divine encounter, Abraham fulfilled God's command by circumcising himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household. This act of obedience marked the tangible beginning of Abraham's commitment to the covenant.
After a profound conversation where God established a new covenant with Abraham, changing his name and promising a son through Sarah, God departed from Abraham's presence. Immediately following this divine encounter, Abraham fulfilled God's command by circumcising himself, his son Ishmael, and all the males in his household. This act of obedience marked the tangible beginning of Abraham's commitment to the covenant.
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"When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham." — The narrative emphasizes that God went up from Abraham, not just departed. This suggests a literal, visible ascent, affirming the divine nature of the encounter and solidifying Abraham’s certainty…