which you are to keep
The phrase emphasizes the responsibility of Abraham and his descendants to uphold their part of the covenant. The Hebrew root "שָׁמַר" (shamar) means to guard, keep, or observe. This implies active participation and obedience, highlighting the reciprocal nature of the covenant. It is not just a passive agreement but requires diligence and faithfulness from Abraham and his lineage. This call to obedience is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, reminding believers of the importance of living in accordance with God's will.

between Me and you
This phrase highlights the personal and relational aspect of the covenant. It is not a distant or impersonal agreement but one that involves a direct relationship between God and Abraham. The use of "Me and you" underscores the intimacy and personal nature of God's promises. It reflects the biblical theme of God desiring a close relationship with His people, a theme that is fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ.

and your descendants after you
The covenant extends beyond Abraham to his future generations, indicating its perpetual and everlasting nature. The Hebrew word for "descendants" is "זֶרַע" (zera), meaning seed or offspring. This promise of continuity assures Abraham that God's covenantal blessings will persist through his lineage. It points to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through history, ultimately culminating in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is a descendant of Abraham.

the covenant you are to keep
Reiterating the importance of obedience, this phrase serves as a reminder of the covenant's conditions. The repetition emphasizes the seriousness and sacredness of the agreement. It calls for a commitment to God's commands, reflecting the biblical principle that faith is demonstrated through action. This echoes the New Testament teaching that faith without works is dead (James 2:26).

Every male among you
The focus on "every male" highlights the patriarchal structure of ancient societies, where men were often the representatives of their families. In this context, the sign of the covenant, circumcision, was to be carried out on every male, symbolizing their inclusion in the covenant community. This practice set the Israelites apart from other nations and served as a physical reminder of their unique relationship with God.

must be circumcised
Circumcision, or "מוּל" (mul) in Hebrew, was the physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. It was a mark of identity and belonging, signifying the cutting away of the old life and the beginning of a new, consecrated life dedicated to God. This act of obedience was a tangible expression of faith and commitment to God's covenant. In the New Testament, circumcision becomes a metaphor for the spiritual transformation that occurs in the heart of a believer through faith in Christ (Romans 2:29).

The fitness of circumcision to be a sign of entering into a covenant, and especially into one to which children were to be admitted, consisted in its being a representation of a new birth by the putting off of the old man, and the dedication of the new man unto holiness. The flesh was cast away that the spirit might grow strong; and the change of name in Abram and Sarai was typical of this change of condition. They had been born again, and so must again be named. And though women could not indeed be admitted directly into the covenant, yet they shared in its privileges by virtue of their consanguinity to the men, who were as sponsors for them; and thus Sarai changes her name equally with her husband.