In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son.

GENESIS 17:26KJV
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Genesis 17:26 (KJV)

What does Genesis 17:26 mean?

Genesis 17:26 states that Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on the very same day. This verse highlights their immediate obedience to God's command regarding circumcision as a sign of the covenant.

In the story, God has just given Abraham instructions about circumcision as a physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. The verse emphasizes that Abraham did not delay but acted right away, including his son Ishmael in this important act. This detail sets the tone for the seriousness and promptness with which Abraham responded to God's instructions.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 17:26

  • "selfsame" (עֶצֶם, ʿetsem): This word often means "bone" or "essence," but here it is used to stress the exactness of the timing—on that very day, not before or after. It underlines the immediacy of Abraham's response.
  • "circumcised" (מָל, māl): This verb specifically refers to the act of circumcision, which in this context is a ritual act marking the covenant. The word’s use here shows that this was a deliberate, covenantal action, not just a medical procedure.

Why Genesis 17:26 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Abraham did not hesitate or put off God's command, which highlights his faithfulness and sets an example for his descendants.
  • By mentioning both Abraham and Ishmael together, the verse shows that the covenant sign was meant for both the older generation and the next, reinforcing the idea of the covenant passing through the family line.
  • The timing connects this act directly to God's instructions earlier in the chapter, showing that Abraham's obedience was complete and immediate, not partial or delayed.

Where else these words appear

“circumcised” Hebrew H4135 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.
  • Genesis 34:17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
  • Joshua 5:4 And this is the cause why Joshua did circumcise: All the people that came out of Egypt, that were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness by the way, after they came out of Egypt.

“Ishmael” Hebrew H3458 · used in 44 verses

  • Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
  • 2 Kings 25:23 And when all the captains of the armies, they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, there came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, even Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Careah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of a Maachathite, they and their men.
  • Jeremiah 41:1 Now it came to pass in the seventh month, that Ishmael the son of Nethaniah the son of Elishama, of the seed royal, and the princes of the king, even ten men with him, came unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and there they did eat bread together in Mizpah.

“selfsame” Hebrew H6106 · used in 108 verses

  • Genesis 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
  • 2 Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.
  • Proverbs 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.