Abraham in the Bible
Meaning: father of a great multitude
Exact Match
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers,
Therefore all the generations from Abraham to David [are] fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon [are] fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ [are] fourteen generations.
And do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham [as] father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones!
But I say to you that many will come from east and west and {be seated at the banquet} with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
But touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac,
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
But concerning the dead, that they do rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, at The Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
His help he has given to Israel, his servant, so that he might keep in mind his mercy to Abraham and his seed for ever,
(As he spake unto our fathers) Toward Abraham and his seed for ever.
The oath which he made to Abraham, our father,
Make clear by your acts that your hearts have been changed; and do not say to yourselves, We have Abraham for our father: for I say to you that God is able from these stones to make children of Abraham.
The son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Then the rich man said, 'I beg you therefore, forefather [Abraham], that you would send Lazarus to my father's house,
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
"'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,' said Father Abraham, 'neither will they be persuaded if one should rise from the dead.'"
"It happened in a similar way in the days of Lot [i.e., Abraham's nephew]. People were eating and drinking and buying and selling and planting and building.
And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, for even he is a son of Abraham.
But that the dead are raised, even Moses at the bush has demonstrated, when he calls the Lord 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.'
They answered unto him, We are Abraham's seed, and have never yet been in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye will be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's offspring:
I know that ye are Abraham's seed: yet ye seek to kill me, because my word hath not free course in you.
They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from God: this did not Abraham.
You are doing the works of your father. They said to him, We are true sons of Abraham; we have one Father, who is God.
The Jews said unto him, Now we know that thou hast a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my word, he shall never taste of death.
Art thou greater than our father Abraham, who died? and the prophets died: whom makest thou thyself?
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day; and he saw it, and was glad.
The Jews therefore said unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was born, I am.
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
"The glorious God appeared to our ancestor Abraham while he was in Mesopotamia before he settled in Haran. God told him, "Leave your country and your relatives and go to the land I'll show you.'
On this, Abraham left the country of the Chaldaeans and settled in Haran; and from there, after his father's death, God caused him to migrate into this very country, in which you are now living.
He did not give any of it to him for an inheritance, not even a foot of ground, yet God promised to give it to him as his possession, and to his descendants after him, even though Abraham as yet had no child.
And God declared that Abraham's posterity should for four hundred years make their home in a country not their own, and be reduced to slavery and be oppressed.
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.
And were carried over into Sychem, and laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
Saying, I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.
since indeed it is one [and the same] God who will justify the circumcised by faith [which began with Abraham] and the uncircumcised through [their newly acquired] faith.
What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham put his faith in God, and it was credited to him as right standing with God."
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
As it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations." Abraham acted in faith when he stood in the presence of God, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that don't yet exist.
Abraham, building on hope in spite of hopeless circumstances, had faith, and so he actually became the father of many nations, just as it had been told him, "So numberless shall your descendants be."
Abraham's faith did not become weak [even though] he was about one hundred years old and considered his body almost dead and Sarah's womb incapable of conceiving a child.
So indeed it was credited to Abraham as righteousness.
Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone,
Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
That is, it is not Abraham's natural descendants who are God's children, but those who are made children by the promise are counted his true descendants.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Now if the first-fruits of the dough Abraham and the Patriarchs are holy, so also is the whole mass their descendants. And if the root of a tree Abraham is holy, so also are the branches his descendants.
They are Hebrews, so am I. They are Israelites, even so am I. They are the seed of Abraham, even so am I.
Even as Abraham "believed God, and it was ascribed to him for righteousness."
Understand, therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
For the scripture saw aforehand, that God would justify the heathen through faith, and therefore showed beforehand glad tidings unto Abraham: "In thee shall all nations be blessed."
So then, they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ, and that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith.
To Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "in the seeds," as in many: But, "in thy seed," as in one, which is Christ.
Here is what I am saying: The Agreement originally made by God [with Abraham], with its attending promises, was not canceled when the law of Moses was given some four hundred and thirty years later.
For if the inheritance come of the law, it cometh not of promise: but God gave it unto Abraham by promise.
Now the mediator or go-between [in a transaction] is not [needed] for just one party; whereas God is only one [and was the only One giving the promise to Abraham, but the Law was a contract between two, God and Israel; its validity depended on both].
If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs by promise.
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman.
Now, brothers, you [Christians] are children of the promise [made to Abraham. See 3:29] just like Isaac, [Abraham's son] was.
What does the Scripture say about this matter? [It says, Gen. 21:10-12], "Get rid of the slave woman [Hagar], with her son [Ishmael]; for the son of the slave woman [Ishmael] will not inherit [what God promised to Abraham and his descendants], along with the son of the free woman [i.e., Isaac]."
for we are the genuine sons of Abraham, who worship God in the spiritual manner, and value no other dependance than that on Jesus Christ, without confiding in any external advantages:
For, truly, he did not come to help the angels, but to help the seed of Abraham.
For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he could swear by none greater, he swore by himself,
And so by patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the promise.
Since God wanted to show conclusively to those who would inherit the promise [i.e., Abraham and all of his spiritual descendants], how unchangeable His purpose was, He confirmed it with an oath.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,
to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace;
Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth out of the best spoils.
They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the Law, that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham,
but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises.
We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,
for Levi was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchizedek met Abraham.
By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.
By [having] faith, Sarah herself received the ability to have children, even though she was [sterile, being] past the age of child-bearing, since she considered God faithful to His promise. [Note: Some translations consider "Abraham" to be the subject of this highly controversial verse. See Lightfoot, pages 222-225].
Abraham was as good as dead, yet from this one man came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them.
By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son;
Abraham was certain that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did get Isaac back in this way.
But, idle boaster, are you willing to be taught how it is that faith apart from obedience is worthless? Take the case of Abraham our forefather.
Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
Extract Match Search Results...
Search Results by Versions
- ACV (69)
- AM (77)
- ANDERSON (65)
- ASV (70)
- AUV (85)
- BBE (71)
- COMMON (71)
- DARBY (69)
- DIAGLOTT (1)
- EMB (69)
- GODBEY (69)
- GOODSPEED (71)
- HAWEIS (69)
- HCSB (71)
- ISV (74)
- JULIASMITH (68)
- KJ2000 (70)
- KJV (70)
- LEB (69)
- MACE (72)
- MKJV (70)
- MNT (73)
- MOFFATT (71)
- MSTC (71)
- NASB (70)
- NET (76)
- NHEB (70)
- NOYES (64)
- SAWYER (69)
- TCV (79)
- WBS (70)
- WEB (70)
- WESLEY (69)
- WILLIAMS (71)
- WNT (73)
- WORRELL (69)
- WORSLEY (67)
- YLT (69)
Search Results by Book
Thematic Bible
Abidah » Descendant » Abraham
Abraham » Piety of
Abraham » God's covenant with
So we see that it is those who possess faith that are blessed with believing Abraham. All who are depending upon their own obedience to the Law are under a curse, for it is written, "Cursed is every one who does not remain faithful to all the precepts of the Law, and practise them." It is evident, too, that no one can find acceptance with God simply by obeying the Law, because "the righteous shall live by faith," and the Law has nothing to do with faith. It teaches that "he who does these things shall live by doing them." Christ has purchased our freedom from the curse of the Law by becoming accursed for us--because "Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree." Our freedom has been thus purchased in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing belonging to Abraham may come upon the nations, so that through faith we may receive the promised Spirit. Brethren, even a covenant made by a man--to borrow an illustration from daily life--when once formally sanctioned is not liable to be set aside or added to. (Now the promises were given to Abraham and to his seed. God did not say 'and to seeds,' as if speaking of many, but 'and to your seed,' since He spoke of only one--and this is Christ.) I mean that the Covenant which God had already formally made is not abrogated by the Law which was given four hundred and thirty years later--so as to annul the promise. For if the inheritance comes through obedience to Law, it no longer comes because of a promise. But, as a matter of fact, God has granted it to Abraham in fulfilment of a promise.
This is Hagar; for the name Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage together with her children. But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren woman that bearest not, break forth into a joyful cry, thou that dost not travail with child. For the desolate woman has many children--more indeed than she who has the husband." But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children born in fulfilment of a promise. Yet just as, at that time, the child born in the common course of nature persecuted the one whose birth was due to the power of the Spirit, so it is now. But what says the Scripture? "Send away the slave-girl and her son, for never shall the slave-girl's son share the inheritance with the son of the free woman." Therefore, brethren, since we are not the children of a slave-girl, but of the free woman--
Abraham » Faith of
But in the case of a man who works, pay is not reckoned a favour but a debt; whereas in the case of a man who pleads no actions of his own, but simply believes in Him who declares the ungodly free from guilt, his faith is placed to his credit as righteousness. In this way David also tells of the blessedness of the man to whose credit God places righteousness, apart from his actions. "Blessed," he says, "are those whose iniquities have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered over. Blessed is the man of whose sin the Lord will not take account." This declaration of blessedness, then, does it come simply to the circumcised, or to the uncircumcised as well? For Abraham's faith--so we affirm--was placed to his credit as righteousness. What then were the circumstances under which this took place? Was it after he had been circumcised, or before? Before, not after. And he received circumcision as a sign, a mark attesting the reality of the faith-righteousness which was his while still uncircumcised, that he might be the forefather of all those who believe even though they are uncircumcised--in order that this righteousness might be placed to their credit; and the forefather of the circumcised, namely of those who not merely are circumcised, but also walk in the steps of the faith which our forefather Abraham had while he was as yet uncircumcised. Again, the promise that he should inherit the world did not come to Abraham or his posterity conditioned by Law, but by faith-righteousness. For if it is the righteous through Law who are heirs, then faith is useless and the promise counts for nothing. For the Law inflicts punishment; but where no Law exists, there can be no violation of Law. All depends on faith, and for this reason--that acceptance with God might be an act of pure grace, so that the promise should be made sure to all Abraham's true descendants; not merely to those who are righteous through the Law, but to those who are righteous through a faith like that of Abraham. Thus in the sight of God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and makes reference to things that do not exist, as though they did, Abraham is the forefather of all of us. As it is written, "I have appointed you to be the forefather of many nations." Under utterly hopeless circumstances he hopefully believed, so that he might become the forefather of many nations, in agreement with the words "Equally numerous shall your posterity be." And, without growing weak in faith, he could contemplate his own vital powers which had now decayed--for he was nearly 100 years old--and Sarah's barrenness. Nor did he in unbelief stagger at God's promise, but became mighty in faith, giving glory to God, and being absolutely certain that whatever promise He is bound by He is able also to make good. For this reason also his faith was placed to his credit as righteousness.
So we see that it is those who possess faith that are blessed with believing Abraham.
You all see that it is because of actions that a man is pronounced righteous, and not simply because of faith.
Abraham » Divine call of
Abraham » How regarded by his descendants
If then the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed. You are descendants of Abraham, I know; but you want to kill me, because my teaching gains no ground within you. The words I speak are those I have learnt in the presence of the Father. Therefore you also should do what you have heard from your father." "Our father is Abraham," they said. "If you were Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "it is Abraham's deeds that you would be doing. But, in fact, you are longing to kill me, a man who has spoken to you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did not do that.
Abraham » Children of
Abraham » Trial of his faith in the offering of isaac
Abraham » Canaan given to
Abraham » Friend of God
Abraham » In paradise
"'Remember, my child,' said Abraham, 'that you had all your good things during your lifetime, and that Lazarus in like manner had his bad things. But, now and here, he is receiving consolation and you are in agony. And, besides all this, a vast chasm is immovably fixed between us and you, put there in order that those who desire to cross from this side to you may not be able, nor any be able to cross over from your side to us.' "'I entreat you then, father,' said he, 'to send him to my father's house. For I have five brothers. Let him earnestly warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.' "'They have Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham; 'let them hear them.' "'No, father Abraham,' he pleaded; 'but if some one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' "'If they are deaf to Moses and the Prophets,' replied Abraham, 'they would not be led to believe even if some one should rise from the dead.'"
Abraham » Age of, at different periods
Abraham » Angels appear to
Abraham » Lives in ur, but removes to haran
Abraham » Wealth of
Abraham » Sends hagar and ishmael away
This is Hagar; for the name Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage together with her children. But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren woman that bearest not, break forth into a joyful cry, thou that dost not travail with child. For the desolate woman has many children--more indeed than she who has the husband." But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children born in fulfilment of a promise. Yet just as, at that time, the child born in the common course of nature persecuted the one whose birth was due to the power of the Spirit, so it is now. But what says the Scripture? "Send away the slave-girl and her son, for never shall the slave-girl's son share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."
Abraham » Is blessed by melchizedek
Now think how great this priest-king must have been to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth part of the best of the spoil. And those of the descendants of Levi who receive the priesthood are authorized by the Law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brethren, though these have sprung from Abraham. But, in this instance, one who does not trace his origin from them takes tithes from Abraham, and pronounces a blessing on him to whom the promises belong. And beyond all dispute it is always the inferior who is blessed by the superior. Moreover here frail mortal men receive tithes: there one receives them about whom there is evidence that he is alive. And Levi too--if I may so speak--pays tithes through Abraham: for Levi was yet in the loins of his forefather when Melchizedek met Abraham.
Abraham » Isaac born to
This is Hagar; for the name Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, which is in bondage together with her children. But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, thou barren woman that bearest not, break forth into a joyful cry, thou that dost not travail with child. For the desolate woman has many children--more indeed than she who has the husband." But you, brethren, like Isaac, are children born in fulfilment of a promise. Yet just as, at that time, the child born in the common course of nature persecuted the one whose birth was due to the power of the Spirit, so it is now. But what says the Scripture? "Send away the slave-girl and her son, for never shall the slave-girl's son share the inheritance with the son of the free woman."
Abraham » Deferring to lot, chooses hebron
Abraham » Defeats chedorlaomer
Abraham » Independence of, in character
Abraham » Sojourns in egypt
Abraham » Unselfishness of
Abraham » Circumcision of
Abraham » And canaan
Abraham » death
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Mighty in prayer
Abraham » Called abraham
Abraham » Lives in gerar
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Incorruptibility-refused to receive gifts for service rendered
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Wonderful in faith-was willing to offer up his only son, isaac
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Benevolence-gave tithes to melchizedek, the priest
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Courage-defeated the robber kings
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Unselfishness-gave lot the first choice of the land
Abraham » Called the father of the faithful, characteristics of » Obedience-left home and friends at the call of God
Abraham » His questions about the destruction of the righteous and wicked in sodom
Abraham » Witnesses the destruction of sodom
Abraham » Son of terah
Abraham » He purchases a place for her burial, and buries her in a cave
Abraham » Ishmael born to
Abraham » Sarah, his wife, dies
Abraham » Testament of
Abraham » Ancestors of, idolatrous
Abraham » Marries sarah
Abraham » Lives in bethel
Abraham » Marries keturah
Abraham » A prophet
Abraham » Lives in gerar; deceives abimelech concerning sarah, his wife
Abraham » Provides a wife for isaac
Altar » Built by » Abraham
Blessing » Temporal blessings, prayer for » Abraham
Boldness » Instances of, in prayer » Abraham
holy Boldness » Exemplified » Abraham
the Canaanites » Abraham » Was promised , for inheritance
the Canaanites » Abraham » Had his faith tried by dwelling amongst
the Canaanites » Abraham » Called to dwell amongst
Circumcision » Instances of » Abraham
Communion » Instances of » Abraham
Communion with God » Exemplified » Abraham
Concubinage » Laws concerning » Practiced by » Abraham
Covenant » Instances of » Abraham
Nor is that all: later on there was Rebecca too. She was soon to bear two children to her husband, our forefather Isaac-- and even then, though they were not then born and had not done anything either good or evil, yet in order that God's electing purpose might not be frustrated, based, as it was, not on their actions but on the will of Him who called them, she was told, "The elder of them will be bondservant to the younger." This agrees with the other Scripture which says, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."
The Covenant » Made with » Abraham
In piety and uprightness before Him all our days.
the Death of saints » Exemplified » Abraham
Decision » Instances of » Abraham
Early rising » Exemplified » Abraham
Eldaah » Descendant » Abraham
Faith » Example of victorious » Abraham
Faith » Instances of faith in Christ » Abraham
Families » Good--exemplified » Abraham
Family » Good--exemplified » Abraham
Godly Fear » Exemplified » Abraham
Glorifying God » Exemplified » Abraham
God's Call » Examples of Leadership » Abraham
Hebrew » Applied to » Abraham
Heroic faith » Abraham
Holy land » Promised to » Abraham
Hope » Exemplified » Abraham
Hope » Messianic » Abraham
the Human nature of Christ » Was of the seed of » Abraham
Humility » Exemplified » Abraham
Importunity » Importunity, examples of » Abraham
Incest » Instances of » Abraham
intercession » Additional instances of » Abraham » In behalf of sodom
intercession » Additional instances of » Abraham » In behalf of abimelech
Jews, the » Promises respecting made to » Abraham
Justification before God » Exemplified » Abraham
Leaders » Names of persons spoken of as » Abraham
Master » Good master, instances of » Abraham
Masters' » Good--exemplified » Abraham
Meekness » Instances of » Abraham
Messianic hope » Abraham
Mountain » Mount moriah » Abraham » Offers » isaac
Obedience » Instances of » Abraham
And God declared that Abraham's posterity should for four hundred years make their home in a country not their own, and be reduced to slavery and be oppressed. "'And the nation, whichever it is, that enslaves them, I will judge,' said God; 'and afterwards they shall come out, and they shall worship Me in this place.' "Then He gave him the Covenant of circumcision, and under this Covenant he became the father of Isaac--whom he circumcised on the eighth day. Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve Patriarchs.
Through faith even Sarah herself received strength to become a mother--although she was past the time of life for this--because she judged Him faithful who had given the promise. And thus there sprang from one man, and him practically dead, a nation like the stars of the sky in number, and like the sands on the sea shore which cannot be counted. All these died in the possession of faith. They had not received the promised blessings, but had seen them from a distance and had greeted them, and had acknowledged themselves to be foreigners and strangers here on earth; for men who acknowledge this make it manifest that they are seeking elsewhere a country of their own. And if they had cherished the remembrance of the country they had left, they would have found an opportunity to return; but, as it is, we see them eager for a better land, that is to say, a heavenly one. For this reason God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has now prepared a city for them. Through faith Abraham, as soon as God put him to the test, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had joyfully welcomed the promises was on the point of sacrificing his only son