Abraham was 99 and Ishmael was 13 years old when they were circumcised on the same day as the men in the household.
Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. From this point on there was no turning back. All the men of his household were circumcised with him. Circumcision signified their participation in the covenant (Romans 4:11-12Go to Romans 4:11-12 commentary; Galatians 5:2-6, 11, 6:15Go to Galatians 6:15 commentary; Philippians 3:2-3Go to Philippians 3:2-3 commentary; Colossians 2:11-12Go to Colossians 2:11-12 commentary; 1 Peter 3:21). Every male in the household shared this same experience with Abraham and Ishmael. This demonstrates the respect the males in Abraham’s house had for him. Any grown male would greatly desire to avoid this procedure.
There is in the Bible a pattern of the second being elevated over the first. Isaac the second born will be the heir of the promise. The second born, Abel was more righteous than Cain. Jesus, the second Adam, was elevated above the first Adam. Jacob, the second born, received the inheritance over Esau. Isaac over Ishmael. David, Israel’s second king, received the promise of a lasting dynasty rather than Saul.
Jesus, who Paul calls the Second Adam (1 Cor 15:45) was elevated over the first Adam to save Adam (and his race). It could be that this pattern represents a symbol of humanity being the second race to be given dominion over creation, after Satan fell and took a third of the angels with him (Psalm 8Go to Psalm 8 commentary, Hebrews 2:5-10Go to Hebrews 2:5-10 commentary).
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Genesis 17:24-27 meaning
Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. From this point on there was no turning back. All the men of his household were circumcised with him. Circumcision signified their participation in the covenant (Romans 4:11-12Go to Romans 4:11-12 commentary; Galatians 5:2-6, 11, 6:15Go to Galatians 6:15 commentary; Philippians 3:2-3Go to Philippians 3:2-3 commentary; Colossians 2:11-12Go to Colossians 2:11-12 commentary; 1 Peter 3:21). Every male in the household shared this same experience with Abraham and Ishmael. This demonstrates the respect the males in Abraham’s house had for him. Any grown male would greatly desire to avoid this procedure.
There is in the Bible a pattern of the second being elevated over the first. Isaac the second born will be the heir of the promise. The second born, Abel was more righteous than Cain. Jesus, the second Adam, was elevated above the first Adam. Jacob, the second born, received the inheritance over Esau. Isaac over Ishmael. David, Israel’s second king, received the promise of a lasting dynasty rather than Saul.
Jesus, who Paul calls the Second Adam (1 Cor 15:45) was elevated over the first Adam to save Adam (and his race). It could be that this pattern represents a symbol of humanity being the second race to be given dominion over creation, after Satan fell and took a third of the angels with him (Psalm 8Go to Psalm 8 commentary, Hebrews 2:5-10Go to Hebrews 2:5-10 commentary).