Genesis 17:25
New International Version
and his son Ishmael was thirteen;

New Living Translation
and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen.

English Standard Version
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Berean Standard Bible
and his son Ishmael was thirteen;

King James Bible
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

New King James Version
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

New American Standard Bible
And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

NASB 1995
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

NASB 1977
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Amplified Bible
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised.

Christian Standard Bible
and his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and his son Ishmael was 13 years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised.

American Standard Version
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

English Revised Version
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His son Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised.

Good News Translation
and his son Ishmael was thirteen.

International Standard Version
and his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised.

NET Bible
his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised.

New Heart English Bible
Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
and his son Ishmael was thirteen;

World English Bible
Ishmael, his son, was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and his son Ishmael [is] a son of thirteen years in the flesh of his foreskin being circumcised;

Young's Literal Translation
and Ishmael his son is a son of thirteen years in the flesh of his foreskin being circumcised;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Ishmael his son, the son of thirteen years in his circumcising the flesh of his uncircumcision.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Ismael his son was full thirteen years old at the time of his circumcision.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And his son Ishmael had completed thirteen years at the time of his circumcision.

New American Bible
and his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised.

New Revised Standard Version
And his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In this day Abraham circumcised Ishmayl his son.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ismael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant of Circumcision
24So Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, 25and his son Ishmael was thirteen; 26Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised on the same day.…

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 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”

Genesis 22:2
“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

Genesis 26:3-5
Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham. / I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed, / because Abraham listened to My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

Genesis 35:12
The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”

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.

Deuteronomy 30:6
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, and you will love Him with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.

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. ...

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 4:16-17
Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. / As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the presence of God, in whom he believed, the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not yet exist.

Romans 9:7-8
Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.

Galatians 3:7-9
Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. / The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” / So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.


Treasury of Scripture

And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.

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Circumcised Circumcision Flesh Foreskin Ishmael Ish'mael Thirteen Underwent
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Circumcised Circumcision Flesh Foreskin Ishmael Ish'mael Thirteen 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.














and his son Ishmael
Ishmael is the firstborn son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. His birth is recorded in Genesis 16, where Sarah, unable to bear children, gives Hagar to Abraham as a wife. Ishmael's name, meaning "God hears," reflects God's response to Hagar's distress in the wilderness. Ishmael is significant in biblical history as the ancestor of many Arab nations, and his story highlights themes of God's faithfulness and the complexities of human relationships. His role in the narrative sets the stage for the covenantal promises that will later be fulfilled through Isaac, Abraham's son with Sarah.

was thirteen;
The age of thirteen is significant in the Jewish tradition, as it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, known as Bar Mitzvah in later Jewish practice. At this age, Ishmael is on the cusp of manhood, which is important in the context of Genesis 17, where God establishes the covenant of circumcision with Abraham. Ishmael's circumcision at thirteen signifies his inclusion in the covenant, although he is not the child of promise through whom the covenant will be fulfilled. This age also underscores the timeline of events leading to the birth of Isaac, who will be born a year later, as God had promised. The mention of Ishmael's age serves to highlight the unfolding of God's plan and the distinction between Ishmael and Isaac in the narrative of God's covenant with Abraham.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ishmael
The first son of Abraham, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. Ishmael is a significant figure as he represents the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations, though not the child of the covenant promise.

2. Abraham
The patriarch of the Israelites, to whom God made a covenant promising numerous descendants and the land of Canaan. Abraham's obedience in circumcising Ishmael and his household is a testament to his faith.

3. Circumcision
A physical sign of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. It was instituted by God as a perpetual sign of the covenant, marking those who were part of God's chosen people.

4. Covenant
The divine promise and agreement between God and Abraham, which included the promise of land, descendants, and blessings. Circumcision was the physical sign of this covenant.

5. Thirteen Years Old
Ishmael's age at the time of his circumcision, which is significant as it marks his inclusion in the covenant community, even though he is not the child of promise.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's Commands
Abraham's immediate obedience in circumcising Ishmael and his household demonstrates the importance of following God's commands, even when they are challenging or require personal sacrifice.

Inclusion in God's Covenant
Ishmael's circumcision at thirteen signifies that God's covenant extends beyond the immediate line of promise, showing God's broader plan for humanity.

Faith and Works
While circumcision was a physical act, it was a sign of the faith and commitment to God's covenant. This teaches us that our actions should reflect our faith and commitment to God.

Understanding God's Promises
The account of Ishmael and Isaac reminds us to trust in God's timing and His promises, even when circumstances seem contrary to what we expect.

Identity in God's Family
Ishmael's circumcision signifies his inclusion in the covenant community, reminding us of our identity and belonging in God's family through faith in Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Genesis 17:25?

2. How does Genesis 17:25 demonstrate obedience to God's covenant requirements?

3. What significance does circumcision hold in Genesis 17:25 for Abraham's descendants?

4. How does Genesis 17:25 connect to New Testament teachings on covenant?

5. In what ways can we show obedience to God in our daily lives?

6. How does Genesis 17:25 encourage us to uphold God's commands in our families?

7. Why was Ishmael circumcised at thirteen according to Genesis 17:25?

8. How does Genesis 17:25 relate to the covenant with Abraham?

9. What is the significance of circumcision in Genesis 17:25?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 17?

11. Who was Ishmael in the Bible?

12. What does the Bible say about Arabs?

13. Is there historical or archaeological evidence supporting the lineage claim of Ishmael (Genesis 16:10-11)?

14. Why does Galatians 4:22-23, referring to Abraham's two sons, contradict other accounts of their significance in Genesis?
What Does Genesis 17:25 Mean
and

– The little connecting word ties verse 25 to the immediate context: “On that very day Abraham took…every male… and he circumcised them, as God had told him” (Genesis 17:23–24).

– It signals that Ishmael’s circumcision is not an isolated fact but part of Abraham’s instant obedience to God’s covenant command (compare Genesis 17:9–11; see also Exodus 12:50 for the same “and…did so” obedience pattern).

– The verse therefore stresses continuity: God speaks, Abraham acts, and the blessing rolls on (Genesis 22:18; James 2:23).


his son

– Scripture repeatedly highlights the covenant’s reach to Abraham’s family: “I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you” (Genesis 17:7; cf. Genesis 18:19).

– Abraham’s responsibility was not private but household-wide (Joshua 24:15). By circumcising Ishmael, he publicly acknowledged that every member under his care belonged to the LORD.

– The detail reminds parents today that faithfulness includes guiding our children into the visible marks of God’s covenant people (Deuteronomy 6:6–7; Ephesians 6:4).


Ishmael

– Though not the child through whom the promised Seed would come (Genesis 17:19; Galatians 4:22–23), Ishmael is still graciously embraced within the outward covenant sign (Genesis 17:20).

– God’s promise to “make him a great nation” (Genesis 21:13) is affirmed when Ishmael submits to circumcision, showing God’s care for all who align themselves with His people (Acts 10:34–35).

– His inclusion foreshadows the later grafting-in of the Gentiles, who receive covenant blessings by faith and obedience rather than by physical descent alone (Romans 11:17).


was thirteen

– Ishmael’s age underlines that this first generation experienced adult circumcision because the command had just been given; later, infants were to receive the sign on the eighth day (Leviticus 12:3; Luke 2:21).

– Thirteen marks the threshold of responsible participation in covenant life; Ishmael consciously accepted the rite, illustrating willing submission (Proverbs 3:1).

– The verse also sets a time-marker that contrasts with Isaac’s future birth: Ishmael is thirteen before Isaac is conceived (Genesis 17:21), highlighting the miraculous nature of Isaac’s arrival and the distinct paths of the two sons (Galatians 4:28–29).


summary

Genesis 17:25 records that “his son Ishmael was thirteen years old when the flesh of his foreskin was circumcised.” In a single sentence God spotlights (1) Abraham’s immediate obedience, (2) the covenant’s embrace of his household, (3) Ishmael’s valued place under God’s promises, and (4) the historical moment before infant circumcision became the norm. The verse assures us that every command of God, however new or demanding, is meant to be trusted and obeyed, bringing even those on the margins—like Ishmael—under the blessing and protection of the everlasting covenant.

(25) Ishmael. . . . was thirteen years old.--Hence the Mohammedans defer circumcision to the thirteenth year.

Verse 25. - And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old (the same form of expression as above), when he was circumcised. Hence among the Arabs the ceremony is usually delayed till the thirteenth year (cf. Josephus, 'Ant.,' 1:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and his son
בְּנ֔וֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Ishmael
וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל (wə·yiš·mā·‘êl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3458: Ishmael -- 'God hears', the name of several Israelites

was thirteen;
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ (šə·lōš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice


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OT Law: Genesis 17:25 Ishmael his son was thirteen years old (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 17:24
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