Genesis chapter 17 introduces which sign of the covenant?

• A. Birth of Isaac
• B. The Flood
• C. Theophany
• D. Circumcision

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is that a visible sign of a covenant is established with Abraham in Genesis 17. God designates circumcision as that sign: every male in Abraham’s household and their descendants must be circumcised as a outward mark that they belong to God’s people and are bound to the covenant. This sign accompanies God’s reaffirmation of the promises to make Abraham the father of many nations and to keep his descendants as a distinct, chosen people. It’s not about the birth of Isaac, which is a fulfillment of the promise, nor about the Flood or a general appearance of God (theophany); those are different events or concepts. Circumcision is the covenant sign introduced in this chapter.