Genesis 17:17 net — Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself,“Can a son be born to a man who i…

NET Bible

"Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself,“Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”"

— Genesis 17:17, NET Bible

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Genesis 17:17 in Other Translations

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Genesis 17 — Context

14

Any uncircumcised male who has not been circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin will be cut off from his people– he has failed to carry out my requirement.”

15

Then God said to Abraham,“As for your wife, you must no longer call her Sarai; Sarah will be her name.

16

I will bless her and will give you a son through her. I will bless her and she will become a mother of nations. Kings of countries will come from her!”

17

Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself,“Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”

18

Abraham said to God,“O that Ishmael might live before you!”

19

God said,“No, Sarah your wife is going to bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm my covenant with him as a perpetual covenant for his descendants after him.

20

As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will indeed bless him, make him fruitful, and give him a multitude of descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes; I will make him into a great nation.

Genesis 17:17 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Genesis 17:17 say?
Genesis 17:17 in the NET Bible reads: “Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself,“Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?””
Where is Genesis 17:17 in the Bible?
Genesis 17:17 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Genesis, chapter 17, verse 17.
Who wrote Genesis?
Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses (traditional). Anciently attributed to Moses; many modern scholars view Genesis as a compilation of older oral and written sources finalized in or after the Babylonian exile. It was written c. 1446–1406 BC.
What is the book of Genesis about?
Genesis is the book of beginnings — the origin of the universe, humanity, sin, and the covenant family God chose to bless the nations. It traces creation, the fall, the flood, and the lives of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, laying the foundation for the rest of Scripture and pointing forward to the redemption that comes through the promised seed.
What are the major themes of Genesis?
Genesis explores themes including Creation, Fall, Covenant, Faith, Family, Promise. These themes shape the meaning and context of Genesis 17:17.
What translation should I read Genesis 17:17 in?
Genesis 17:17 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Genesis 17:17?
Genesis 17:17 reads (NET): “Then Abraham bowed down with his face to the ground and laughed as he said to himself,“Can a son be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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