“Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.”
God changes Abram's name to Abraham, because he will be the father of many nations. The name change is covenant reality enacted: Abram (exalted father) becomes Abraham (father of a multitude) before the multitude exists. He is to carry in his name the promise of what is not yet — every time someone calls his name, they are declaring God's intention. The name change is one of the most significant in Scripture; it will be followed by Sarai becoming Sarah (verse 15), Jacob becoming Israel (Genesis 32:28), and Simon becoming Peter (John 1:42). In each case the new name announces a new identity given by God. Romans 4:17 quotes this verse directly in the context of justification by faith — Abraham believed God who calls things that are not as though they were. The application: the names God gives are declarations of what he intends, spoken before the evidence arrives. What has God spoken over you that you are meant to carry as a name before it is visibly true?
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Priya SharmaNote2mo agoYour Name Shall Be Abraham
God renames Abram to Abraham - his name meaning changes from 'exalted father' to 'father of a multitude.' The naming is prophetic.
I've changed my name twice - from my birth name to the name my churc...
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Markus BauerNote1mo agoThe character of God - Genesis 17
God is faithful in every circumstance. God is faithful in every circumstance. The Hebrew word used here carries a richness that English can't fully capture. It implies covenant loyalty, steadfast love...
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