Genesis 17:24
New International Version
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

New Living Translation
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

English Standard Version
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Berean Standard Bible
So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

King James Bible
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

New King James Version
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

New American Standard Bible
Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

NASB 1995
Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

NASB 1977
Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Amplified Bible
So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised.

Christian Standard Bible
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abraham was 99 years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised,

American Standard Version
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

English Revised Version
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised.

Good News Translation
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

International Standard Version
Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised,

Majority Standard Bible
So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

NET Bible
Now Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised;

New Heart English Bible
Abraham was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abraham was ninety and nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

World English Bible
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abraham [is] a son of ninety-nine years in the flesh of his foreskin being circumcised;

Young's Literal Translation
And Abraham is a son of ninety and nine years in the flesh of his foreskin being circumcised;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abraham, the son of ninety and nine years in his circumcising the flesh of his uncircumcision.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Abraham was ninety and nine years old, when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin.

New American Bible
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised,

New Revised Standard Version
Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Ishmayl his son was a son of thirteen years when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam was ninety-nine years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant of Circumcision
23On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or purchased with his money—every male among the members of Abraham’s household—and he circumcised them, just as God had told him. 24So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25and his son Ishmael was thirteen;…

Cross References
Genesis 21:4
When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.

Genesis 12:4
So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Genesis 18:11
And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.

Genesis 22:3
So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac. He split the wood for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had designated.

Genesis 25:7-8
Abraham lived a total of 175 years. / And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.

Genesis 26:5
because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Genesis 35:27-29
Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. / And Isaac lived 180 years. / Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

Exodus 12:48
If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.

Leviticus 12:3
And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin is to be circumcised.

Joshua 5:2-9
At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the sons of Israel once again.” / So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth. / Now this is why Joshua circumcised them: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of war—had died on the journey in the wilderness after they had left Egypt. ...

Acts 7:8
Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

Romans 4:11
And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

Romans 4:19
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb.

Romans 4:12
And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Genesis 17:1,17
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…

Genesis 12:4
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.

Romans 4:11,19,20
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: …

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Abraham Circumcised Circumcision Flesh Foreskin Nine Ninety Ninety-Nine Underwent
Genesis 17
1. God renews the covenant with Abram,
5. and changes his name to Abraham, in token of a greater blessing.
9. Circumcision is instituted.
15. Sarai's name is changed to Sarah, and she is blessed.
17. Isaac is promised, and the time of his birth fixed.
23. Abraham and Ishmael are circumcised.














So Abraham was ninety-nine years old
Abraham's age at this point in the narrative highlights the miraculous nature of God's covenant promises. At ninety-nine, he was well beyond the typical age for fathering children, emphasizing the divine intervention required for the fulfillment of God's promise to make him a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5). This age also underscores Abraham's long journey of faith, having left Haran at seventy-five (Genesis 12:4). His advanced age serves as a testament to his enduring faith and patience, waiting on God's timing.

when he was circumcised
Circumcision was instituted by God as a sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham's descendants (Genesis 17:10-11). This act was a physical mark of the spiritual covenant, symbolizing purity and separation unto God. It was a significant act of obedience for Abraham, aligning with the biblical theme of faith being demonstrated through action (James 2:21-24). Circumcision also prefigures the New Testament concept of the circumcision of the heart, a spiritual transformation through faith in Christ (Romans 2:29, Colossians 2:11). This act at such an advanced age further illustrates Abraham's commitment to God's commands, regardless of personal cost or societal norms.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abraham
Originally named Abram, he is the central figure in this passage. At ninety-nine years old, he demonstrates obedience to God's covenant through circumcision, marking a significant act of faith and commitment.

2. Circumcision
This is the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, symbolizing purity, obedience, and separation unto God. It is a pivotal event in the Abrahamic covenant.

3. Covenant
The broader context of this passage is God's covenant with Abraham, which includes promises of land, descendants, and blessings. Circumcision is the sign of this everlasting covenant.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Abraham's circumcision at ninety-nine years old exemplifies radical obedience. Believers are called to obey God's commands, even when they seem challenging or counter-cultural.

Faith and Covenant Relationship
The act of circumcision was a sign of the covenant, but Abraham's faith was the foundation. Our relationship with God is based on faith, and outward signs should reflect an inward reality.

Spiritual Significance Over Physical Rituals
While circumcision was a physical act, its true significance lay in the spiritual commitment it represented. Christians are called to focus on the heart's transformation through faith in Christ.

Age and Obedience
Abraham's age highlights that obedience to God is not limited by age. God can call us to new acts of faith and obedience at any stage of life.Verse 24. - And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, - literally, a son of ninety years and nine (cf. Genesis 7:6; Genesis 16:16) - when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Abraham
וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם (wə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

was ninety-nine
תִּשְׁעִ֥ים (tiš·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 8673: Ninety

years old
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

when he was circumcised,
בְּהִמֹּל֖וֹ (bə·him·mō·lōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4135: To cut short, curtail, to blunt, to destroy


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OT Law: Genesis 17:24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 17:23
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