Darby Translation NotesGenesis 17

1:1 God (a-4) Heb. Elohim, the plural of Eloah, 'the Supreme'. It is Deity in the absolute sense. Elohim will, in the text, appear only in the name of Jehovah Elohim; moreover, when Elohim following immediately on Jehovah has a grammatical adjunct, its place will be taken by the English word 'God'. see Gen. 9.26 and 24.7. Other Hebrew divine names translated as 'God' will be indicated as follows. Eloah +God; El, (meaning 'The Mighty,' see Gen. 14.18), *God. For the meaning of Jehovah, (Heb. Yahveh, or Yehveh), the ever-existing One, see Ex. 3.14,15; Isa. 40.28. For Jah, the existing One objectively, see Ex. 15.2; Ps. 68.4. The name seems to express absolute rather than continuous existence. For Adonai (a name of God, not merely a title), translated 'Lord', see Ezek. 2.4.

17:1 Almighty (d-19) Shaddai plural of Shad, power. Isa. 13.6; Joel 1.15 may give its force. 'Almighty' will always represent Shaddai; 'the Almighty God' is El Shaddai.

17:4 I. (e-3) Others, 'As for me.'

17:5 Abram, (f-9) See ch. 11.26. Abraham; (g-15) Father of a multitude.

17:12 stranger (h-32) Or 'foreigner.' so ver. 27; Ex. 12.43; Lev. 22.25, &c.

17:15 Sarah (i-19) Princess.

17:19 Isaac; (a-19) Laughter.