When Abram is 99, God again makes the covenant to multiply him exceedingly . Why does Abram need this much assurance? God says Abram will now be the father of nations and renames him Abraham. God says Abraham must keep the covenant through circumcision. All males in Abraham's house, whether family or through purchase, must be circumcised. Male babies are to be circumcised eight days after birth. How does circumcising a baby that is unable to understand the obligations of the covenant he is entering into keep that covenant? Genesis doesn't get into that. Uncircumcised males are to be "cut off" (I think the writer of this chapter of Genesis is having a smirk at that) from his people.
Note to fundies that believe every word of the Bible is literally true, Abram is 99 in verse 24 and one hundred in verse 17.
God then renames Sarai Sarah, blesses her and promises her a son and says she will be the mother of nations. Abraham laughs at God for the notion that a hundred year old man and a ninety year old woman can have a son. Abraham calls for Ishmael. God again promises a son to be named Isaac and blesses Ishmael to be fruitful and the father of twelve princes.
Abraham then circumcises himself, Ishmael and all the males of his household.
Asimov notes that the importance the Bible puts on Abraham leaving Ur of the Chaldees and traveling to Canaan is that he is the first to publicly abandon the idol worship of the Tigris/Euphrates delta and worship the one true God.
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