Chapter 7: Rescue, Melchizedek, Covenant, Hagar, and Circumcision

Study notes

After Abram’s victory over his foes, Melchizedek king of Salem blesses him, and later the word of Yahweh tells Abram that his heir will come from his own body. Hagar bears Abram’s son Ishmael, Abram is given the name Abraham, and Abraham is circumcised with Ishmael and every man of his household.

From Genesis 14:18–20 (KoS), Genesis 15:1–4 (KoS), Genesis 16:15–16 (KoS), Genesis 17:5 (KoS), Genesis 17:26–27 (KoS).

These notes and questions are original study helps written for this site, not scripture. The verses shown with each question are quoted from the Kingdoms of Scripture Bible.

Notice and discuss

Read each passage, then think about the question on your own or talk it over with others. No answers are collected.

1. What does Abram refuse to take from the king of Sodom, and what reason does he give?

   Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to Yahweh, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth: not a thread, not a sandal strap, I will take nothing that is yours, so that you cannot say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ Nothing for me, except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share.”

   Genesis 14:22–24 (KoS)

2. Where does the messenger of Yahweh find Hagar, and what does he tell her to do?

   The messenger of Yahweh found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. He said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.” The messenger of Yahweh said to her, “Return to your mistress and humble yourself under her hands.”

   Genesis 16:7–9 (KoS)

3. What does Abraham do and ask in his heart about having a child, and what does he say to God about Ishmael?

   Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and he said in his heart, “Will a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? And will Sarah, a woman of ninety years, bear?” Abraham said to God, “If only Ishmael might live before you.”

   Genesis 17:17–18 (KoS)