Is Abraham the father of gentiles? ~ Cross reference of Romans 4:17-18 to Genesis 17:5


Let us see the background that sets Abraham into Genesis 17. G-d made a promise for the first time 25 years ago when Abraham was in Haran. Since then Abraham walked in ways that G-d expected off him and G-d blessed him and made him prosperous. Ishmael was born of Hagar but he still did not get the promise of Isaac.

In chapter 17 G-d tells Abraham that he will make the covenant with him that will be enforced that every male child will be circumcised on the 8th day after birth. G-d tells him this will be the covenant between him and his seed for eternity.

G-d then promises that if he keeps this covenant, he will be the father of many nations. Paul latches onto this verse and states that G-d had planned that Through Jesus who was a descendent of Abraham, all gentiles are also children of Abraham.

Let us see why this is not true.

All Images are links to Google Images. Copyright violations not intended.
All Greek Text references are from NIV and Tanakh references are from Chabad.

This post is not intended to offend anyone's faith but for those people who are Seeking the truth of THE ONE TRUE G-D of the universe to who we owe all our love, gratitude & devotion.

My encouragement to you is that you read the whole chapter of Tanakh that the Greek text quotes so you get the context and understand what G-d actually said.

G-d Bless and Seek THE Truth.

Romans 4:16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.”[c] He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Genesis 17:5 And your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
  • Given the context to Genesis 17, you will see through the rest of the chapter that G-d is making a covenant of circumcision with Abraham that will be from generation to generation who will be called children of Abraham.
  • Let us see some key verses that do not support Paul's claim, that since G-d made Abraham the father of many nations, the gentiles are what G-d was taking about.
  • In this passage G-d is telling Abraham to be perfect and obey his commands[walk before me] and I will bless you immensely and many kings and nations will come from your descendants. 
  • Genesis 17:1 And Abram was ninety-nine years old, and God appeared to Abram, and He said to him, "I am the Almighty God; walk before Me and be perfect. 2 And I will place My covenant between Me and between you, and I will multiply you very greatly." 3 And Abram fell upon his face, and God spoke with him, saying, 4 "As for Me, behold My covenant is with you, and you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. 5 And your name shall no longer be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 And I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings will emerge from you.
  • This covenant will be an everlasting covenant and G-d will be their G-d. God then promises Abraham that the land of Cannan will be given to his seed.
  • Genesis 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and between you and between your seed after you throughout their generations as an everlasting covenant, to be to you for a God and to your seed after you. 8 And I will give you and your seed after you the land of your sojourning, the entire land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be to them for a God." 9 And God said to Abraham, "And you shall keep My covenant, you and your seed after you throughout their generations.
  • There is no mystery in what this covenant is for someone to be called a descendent of Abraham. G-d spells it out clearly in the below verse.
  • Genesis 17:10 This is My covenant, which you shall observe between Me and between you and between your seed after you, that every male among you be circumcised. 11 And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and it shall be as the sign of a covenant between Me and between you. 12 And at the age of eight days, every male shall be circumcised to you throughout your generations, one that is born in the house, or one that is purchased with money, from any foreigner, who is not of your seed.
  • Paul opposed the gentiles believers of Jesus from getting circumcised saying that if one gets circumcised, Jesus died in vain. Based on the above passages, G-d's covenant with Abraham and his seed is circumcision and this is for eternity. 
  • The promise G-d made to Abraham is fulfilled in Arabs[Ishmael], Edom[Esau] & Israel [Jacob].

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