CFM Corner

Genesis 12–17 & Abraham 1–2: Complete Comparison

“I Will Make of Thee a Great Nation” | Come Follow Me Week 08
Abraham’s Background Covenant Promises The Journey Egypt Sojourn Lot’s Separation Melchizedek Covenant Ceremony Hagar & Ishmael Circumcision & Names

Understanding This Comparison

Genesis 12–17 contains 133 verses covering Abraham’s call, journey, covenant, and the establishment of God’s promises to his posterity.

Abraham 1–2 (Pearl of Great Price) and JST Genesis 14 provide crucial restoration context, including:

Genesis text (KJV)
Abraham / JST parallel
Unique to Abraham / JST
No parallel
Key Theme Highlights:
Priesthood
Covenant
Gospel
Prophecy
Christ
Temple
Link Types:
Blue links → Hebrew lexicon (Blue Letter Bible)
Green links → Restoration scripture
Brown links → Maps & locations

Section 1: Abraham’s Background & Deliverance

Abraham 1:1–19 (No Genesis parallel) ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
Abraham’s Righteous Desires (Abraham 1:1–4)
Abraham 1:1

1 In the land of the Chaldeans, at the residence of my fathers, I, Abraham, saw that it was needful for me to obtain another place of residence;

Abraham 1:2

2 And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought for the blessings of the fathers, and the right whereunto I should be ordained to administer the same; having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God, I became a rightful heir, a High Priest, holding the right belonging to the fathers.

Abraham 1:3

3 It was conferred upon me from the fathers; it came down from the fathers, from the beginning of time, yea, even from the beginning, or before the foundation of the earth, down to the present time, even the right of the firstborn, or the first man, who is Adam, or first father, through the fathers unto me.

Abraham 1:4

4 I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood according to the appointment of God unto the fathers concerning the seed.

Family Idolatry (Abraham 1:5–7)
Abraham 1:5

5 My fathers, having turned from their righteousness, and from the holy commandments which the Lord their God had given unto them, unto the worshiping of the gods of the heathen, utterly refused to hearken to my voice;

Abraham 1:6

6 For their hearts were set to do evil, and were wholly turned to the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt;

Abraham 1:7

7 Therefore they turned their hearts to the sacrifice of the heathen in offering up their children unto these dumb idols, and hearkened not unto my voice, but endeavored to take away my life by the hand of the priest of Elkenah. The priest of Elkenah was also the priest of Pharaoh.

Near Sacrifice on the Altar (Abraham 1:8–12)
Abraham 1:8–9

8 Now, at this time it was the custom of the priest of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, to offer up upon the altar which was built in the land of Chaldea, for the offering unto these strange gods, men, women, and children. 9 And it came to pass that the priest made an offering unto the god of Pharaoh, and also unto the god of Shagreel, even after the manner of the Egyptians. Now the god of Shagreel was the sun.

Abraham 1:10–11

10 Even the thank-offering of a child did the priest of Pharaoh offer upon the altar which stood by the hill called Potiphar’s Hill, at the head of the plain of Olishem. 11 Now, this priest had offered upon this altar three virgins at one time, who were the daughters of Onitah, one of the royal descent directly from the loins of Ham. These virgins were offered up because of their virtue; they would not bow down to worship gods of wood or of stone, therefore they were killed upon this altar, and it was done after the manner of the Egyptians.

Abraham 1:12

12 And it came to pass that the priests laid violence upon me, that they might slay me also, as they did those virgins upon this altar; and that you may have a knowledge of this altar, I will refer you to the representation at the commencement of this record.

God’s Deliverance & Promise (Abraham 1:13–19)
Abraham 1:13–14

13 It was made after the form of a bedstead, such as was had among the Chaldeans, and it stood before the gods of Elkenah, Libnah, Mahmackrah, Korash, and also a god like unto that of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. 14 That you may have an understanding of these gods, I have given you the fashion of them in the figures at the beginning, which manner of figures is called by the Chaldeans Rahleenos, which signifies hieroglyphics.

Abraham 1:15–16

15 And as they lifted up their hands upon me, that they might offer me up and take away my life, behold, I lifted up my voice unto the Lord my God, and the Lord hearkened and heard, and he filled me with the vision of the Almighty, and the angel of his presence stood by me, and immediately unloosed my bands; 16 And his voice was unto me: Abraham, Abraham, behold, my name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away from thy father’s house, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of;

Abraham 1:17–18

17 And this because they have turned their hearts away from me, to worship the god of Elkenah, and the god of Libnah, and the god of Mahmackrah, and the god of Korash, and the god of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; therefore I have come down to visit them, and to destroy him who hath lifted up his hand against thee, Abraham, my son, to take away thy life. 18 Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name, even the Priesthood of thy father, and my power shall be over thee.

Abraham 1:19

19 As it was with Noah so shall it be with thee; but through thy ministry my name shall be known in the earth forever, for I am thy God.

Key Restoration Insight: Abraham’s Hidden Backstory

The Book of Abraham reveals what Genesis completely omits—Abraham’s family context, the danger he faced from idolatrous priests, and his miraculous deliverance from human sacrifice. Joseph Smith translated this in 1835; no biblical source contains this backstory.

Key additions include:

  • Priesthood lineage traced from Adam through the fathers to Abraham (1:2–3)
  • Abraham’s own family had “turned from their righteousness” to idol worship (1:5–6)
  • Human sacrifice was practiced—three virtuous women were killed for refusing to worship idols (1:11)
  • God personally intervened: “My name is Jehovah, and I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee” (1:16)
  • God promised Abraham “the Priesthood of thy father” and that His name would be “known in the earth forever” through Abraham’s ministry (1:18–19)

Section 2: The Covenant Promises

Genesis 12:1–3 | Abraham 2:8–11 ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
The Call to Leave (Genesis 12:1 vs Abraham 2:3–6)
Genesis 12:1

1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Abraham 2:3–6

3 Now the Lord had said unto me: Abraham, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee. 4 Therefore I left the land of Ur, of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and I took Lot, my brother’s son, and his wife, and Sarai my wife; and also my father followed after me, unto the land which we denominated Haran. 5 And the famine abated; and my father tarried in Haran and dwelt there, as there were many flocks in Haran; and my father turned again unto his idolatry, therefore he continued in Haran. 6 But I, Abraham, and Lot, my brother’s son, prayed unto the Lord, and the Lord appeared unto me, and said unto me: Arise, and take Lot with thee; for I have purposed to take thee away out of Haran, and to make of thee a minister to bear my name in a strange land which I will give unto thy seed after thee for an everlasting possession, when they hearken to my voice.

The Great Nation Promise (Genesis 12:2 vs Abraham 2:9)
Genesis 12:2

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Abraham 2:9

9 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee above measure, and make thy name great among all nations, and thou shalt be a blessing unto thy seed after thee, that in their hands they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations;

All Families Blessed (Genesis 12:3 vs Abraham 2:10–11)
Genesis 12:3

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Abraham 2:10–11

10 And I will bless them through thy name; for as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed, and shall rise up and bless thee, as their father; 11 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee; and in thee (that is, in thy Priesthood) and in thy seed (that is, thy Priesthood), for I give unto thee a promise that this right shall continue in thee, and in thy seed after thee (that is to say, the literal seed, or the seed of the body) shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal.

Key Restoration Insight: The Fullest Articulation of the Abrahamic Covenant

Abraham 2:9–11 is the fullest articulation of the Abrahamic covenant in all scripture. It adds three dimensions entirely absent from Genesis:

  • Priesthood — “they shall bear this ministry and Priesthood unto all nations” (v. 9). The covenant is not just about land and posterity—it is about priesthood authority to bless all people.
  • Adoption — “as many as receive this Gospel shall be called after thy name, and shall be accounted thy seed” (v. 10). The covenant family is not limited by blood but expanded by faith and baptism.
  • Eternal Life — “the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal” (v. 11). The ultimate promise is not earthly prosperity but exaltation.

Genesis gives the covenant; Abraham 2 reveals its eternal scope. Every temple-goer today participates in this covenant through the ordinances of the house of the Lord.

Section 3: Abraham’s Journey

Genesis 12:4–9 | Abraham 2:14–20 ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
Departure from Haran
Genesis 12:4–5

4 So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.

Abraham 2:14–15

14 So I, Abraham, departed as the Lord had said unto me, and Lot with me; and I, Abraham, was sixty and two years old when I departed out of Haran. 15 And I took Sarai, whom I took to wife when I was in Ur, in Chaldea, and Lot, my brother’s son, and all our substance that we had gathered, and the souls that we had won in Haran, and came forth in the way to the land of Canaan, and dwelt in tents as we came on our way;

Shechem & the Altar (Genesis 12:6–7 vs Abraham 2:18–19)
Genesis 12:6–7

6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Abraham 2:18–19

18 And I, Abraham, arose from the place of the altar which I had built unto the Lord, and removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched my tent there, Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east; and there I built another altar unto the Lord, and called again upon the name of the Lord. 19 And I, Abraham, journeyed, going on still towards the south; and there was a continuation of a famine in the land; and I, Abraham, concluded to go down into Egypt, to sojourn there, for the famine became very grievous.

Bethel Altar (Genesis 12:8–9 vs Abraham 2:20)
Genesis 12:8–9

8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. 9 And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.

Abraham 2:20

20 And I, Abraham, built an altar in the land, and made an offering unto the Lord, and prayed that the famine might be turned away from my father’s house, that they might not perish.

Key Restoration Insight: Abraham’s Spiritual Perspective

Both accounts agree on the journey and altar-building. Abraham’s account adds personal detail—“eternity was our covering and our rock and our salvation” (Abraham 2:16)—showing Abraham’s spiritual perspective during the journey.

Abraham 2:15 also notes the “souls that we had won in Haran,” suggesting missionary work. The Genesis parallel (“the souls that they had gotten”) is typically read as servants, but the Book of Abraham hints at converts gained through preaching.

Note also the age difference: Genesis says Abraham was 75 when he left Haran; Abraham 2:14 says 62—possibly reflecting different departure points or counting methods.

Section 4: The Egypt Sojourn

Genesis 12:10–20 | Abraham 2:21–25 ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
Famine & Sarah’s Beauty (Genesis 12:10–13 vs Abraham 2:21–25)
Genesis 12:10–11

10 And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. 11 And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:

Abraham 2:21–22

21 And I, Abraham, journeyed, going on still towards the south; and there was a continuation of a famine in the land; and I, Abraham, concluded to go down into Egypt, to sojourn there, for the famine became very grievous. 22 And it came to pass when I was come near to enter into Egypt, the Lord said unto me: Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon;

Genesis 12:12–13

12 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. 13 Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.

Abraham 2:23–25

23 Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see her, they will say—She is his wife; and they will kill you, but they will save her alive; therefore see that ye do on this wise: 24 Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live. 25 And it came to pass that I, Abraham, told Sarai, my wife, all that the Lord had said unto me—Therefore say unto them, I pray thee, thou art my sister, that it may be well with me for thy sake, and my soul shall live because of thee.

Pharaoh Takes Sarah (Genesis 12:14–20 — unique to Genesis)
Genesis 12:14–16

14 And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. 15 The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Genesis 12:17–20

17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife. 18 And Pharaoh called Abram, and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? 19 Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. 20 And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Key Restoration Insight: Divine Guidance Behind the “Sister” Account

Abraham 2:22–25 adds crucial context: God Himself instructed Abraham to say Sarah was his sister. In Genesis alone, Abraham appears deceptive—scheming to protect himself at Sarah’s expense. The Book of Abraham reveals divine guidance behind the action.

This is a significant restoration correction. The Lord told Abraham: “Behold, Sarai, thy wife, is a very fair woman to look upon” (v. 22) and “Let her say unto the Egyptians, she is thy sister, and thy soul shall live” (v. 24). Abraham was following a divine command, not acting out of cowardice.

Section 5: Lot’s Separation & Renewed Promise

Genesis 13 (No Abraham parallel) ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
The Separation (Genesis 13:5–12)
Genesis 13:5–7

5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

Genesis 13:8–9

8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Genesis 13:10–12

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

God’s Renewed Promise (Genesis 13:14–17)
Genesis 13:14–17

14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

Key Insight: The Character of a Covenant Man

Genesis 13 has no parallel in the Book of Abraham. The story of Abraham’s generosity toward Lot—giving him first choice of the land—demonstrates the character of a covenant man: trusting God’s promises rather than grasping for the best.

Note the contrast: Lot “lifted up his eyes” and chose based on appearance (v. 10); then God told Abraham to “lift up now thine eyes” and showed him something far greater—an everlasting inheritance (v. 14–15). Those who trust God’s timing receive God’s fullness. Lot chose Sodom; Abraham received Hebron and Canaan.

Section 6: Melchizedek

Genesis 14:18–20 | JST Genesis 14:25–40 ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
Melchizedek’s Identity (Genesis 14:18 vs JST Genesis 14:25–26)
Genesis 14:18

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

JST Genesis 14:25–26

25 And Melchizedek lifted up his voice and blessed Abram. 26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.

The Blessing (Genesis 14:19 vs JST Genesis 14:27–29)
Genesis 14:19

19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

JST Genesis 14:27–29

27 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God; 28 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor. 29 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need. And it came to pass, that God blessed Abram, and gave unto him riches, and honor, and lands for an everlasting possession; according to the covenant which he had made, and according to the blessing wherewith Melchizedek had blessed him.

Tithes (Genesis 14:20 vs JST Genesis 14:30–31)
Genesis 14:20

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

JST Genesis 14:30–31

30 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed. 31 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.

Melchizedek’s Priesthood Powers (JST Genesis 14:30–31 — unique to JST)
JST Genesis 14:30–31 (continued)

Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness; But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.

Ordained After the Order of the Son of God (JST Genesis 14:32–34 — unique to JST)
JST Genesis 14:32–34

32 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; for he was the priest of the most high God. 33 And there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish— 34 Therefore, they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

Translation & Zion (JST Genesis 14:32–36 — unique to JST)
JST Genesis 14:34–36

34 (continued) Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God. 35 And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace. 36 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;

Priesthood Powers & Translation (JST Genesis 14:36–40 — unique to JST)
JST Genesis 14:36–40

36 (continued) And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together; and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire. 37 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace. 38 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God; 39 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor. 40 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.

Key Restoration Insight: 3 Verses Become a Priesthood Revelation

The JST transforms 3 cryptic Genesis verses into a sweeping revelation about the Melchizedek Priesthood. We learn:

  • Melchizedek was righteous from childhood—“when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire” (v. 26)
  • He was ordained after the order of the Son of God—the same priesthood order held by all true high priests (v. 33)
  • He preached repentance and established Zion in Salem—his wicked people repented and “obtained heaven” (v. 34–36)
  • His people “sought for the city of Enoch”—connecting the pre-flood and post-flood Zion traditions (v. 36)
  • Sanctification through the blood of the Lamb—“their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb” (v. 34)

Joseph Smith could not have known these traditions from available sources in 1830. The JST Melchizedek material parallels details found in Dead Sea Scrolls (11Q13) and other ancient texts not discovered until the 20th century.

Section 7: The Covenant Ceremony

Genesis 15 (No Abraham parallel) ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
God’s Shield & Reward (Genesis 15:1)
Genesis 15:1

1 After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

The Stars & Righteousness (Genesis 15:5–6)
Genesis 15:5–6

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

The Covenant of the Pieces (Genesis 15:9–18)
Genesis 15:9–12

9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

Genesis 15:17–18

17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

Key Insight: A Unilateral Covenant — God Binds Himself

Genesis 15 records one of the most dramatic covenant ceremonies in scripture. God alone passed between the divided animals—making this a unilateral covenant. God bound Himself to the promises. In ancient Near Eastern covenant rituals, both parties would walk between divided animals, symbolically saying, “May I be like these animals if I break this covenant.”

But here, only the “smoking furnace and a burning lamp” (symbols of God’s presence) passed through. Abraham did not walk. God took the full obligation upon Himself.

The Hebrew idiom “to cut a covenant” (karat berith, כָּרַת בְּרִית) derives from this very practice of cutting animals in two. Genesis 15:6—“he believed (he’emin, הֶאֱמִין) in the LORD; and he counted (chashav, חָשַׁב) it to him for righteousness (tsedaqah, צְדָקָה)”—becomes a foundational text for Paul’s theology of faith (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6).

Section 8: Hagar & Ishmael

Genesis 16 (No Abraham parallel) ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
Surrogate Motherhood (Genesis 16:1–4)
Genesis 16:1–4

1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

The Angel of the LORD Finds Hagar (Genesis 16:7–13)
Genesis 16:7–10

7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Genesis 16:11–13

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. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

Key Insight: “El Roi” — The God Who Sees

Hagar is the first person in scripture to receive a visit from the Angel of the LORD and the first to give God a name—“El Roi” (God Who Sees, אֵל רֳאִי). Her story demonstrates that God sees and hears those who are marginalized, alone, and forgotten.

Ishmael’s name (Hebrew: Yishma’el) literally means “God hears.” The name itself is a testimony of divine compassion. God heard a pregnant slave girl weeping in the desert and promised her a future.

This is the first “annunciation” in scripture—an angel announcing a birth and naming the child before birth—a pattern that will repeat with Isaac, Samson, John the Baptist, and Jesus Christ.

Section 9: Circumcision Covenant & Name Changes

Genesis 17 (No Abraham parallel) ▼
Genesis (KJV)
Abraham / JST (Restoration)
El Shaddai & the Call to Perfection (Genesis 17:1)
Genesis 17:1

1 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.

Abram Becomes Abraham (Genesis 17:4–5)
Genesis 17:4–5

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 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.

Circumcision as Covenant Sign (Genesis 17:10–11)
Genesis 17:10–11

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. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.

Sarai Becomes Sarah (Genesis 17:15–16)
Genesis 17:15–16

15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

Isaac Promised (Genesis 17:19)
Genesis 17:19

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Immediate Obedience (Genesis 17:23)
Genesis 17:23

23 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.

Key Insight: God’s Name Written Into Theirs

Genesis 17 features berith (בְּרִית, covenant) 13 times—more than any other chapter in scripture. God changed both names:

  • Abram (“exalted father”) → Abraham (“father of a multitude”)
  • Sarai (“my princess”) → Sarah (“princess” — princess of all, not just one family)

The Hebrew letter He (ה) added to both names comes from God’s own name YHWH (יהוה). God inserted part of His own identity into theirs. This foreshadows temple covenant names—the principle that God places His name upon those who enter into covenant with Him.

Note Abraham’s immediate obedience: “in the selfsame day” (v. 23). At age 99, Abraham obeyed without delay. Circumcision as a covenant sign would later be replaced by baptism in the new covenant (Colossians 2:11–12), but the principle of an outward sign of an inward covenant endures.

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