Genesis 17:3
◄  Genesis 17:3  ►
New International Version (©2011)
Abram fell facedown, and God said to him,

New Living Translation (©2007)
At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him,

English Standard Version (©2001)
Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him,

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying,

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
Then Abram fell facedown and God spoke with him: "

International Standard Version (©2012)
Then Abram fell to the ground as God continued speaking to him.

NET Bible (©2006)
Abram bowed down with his face to the ground, and God said to him,

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Immediately, Abram bowed with his face touching the ground, and again God spoke to him,

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

American King James Version
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

American Standard Version
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Douay-Rheims Bible
Abram tell flat on his face.

Darby Bible Translation
And Abram fell on his face; and God talked with him, saying,

English Revised Version
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

World English Bible
Abram fell on his face. God talked with him, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
And Abram falleth upon his face, and God speaketh with him, saying,

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

17:1-6 The covenant was to be accomplished in due time. The promised Seed was Christ, and Christians in him. And all who are of faith are blessed with faithful Abram, being partakers of the same covenant blessings. In token of this covenant his name was changed from Abram, a high father, to Abraham, the father of a multitude. All that the Christian world enjoys, it is indebted for to Abraham and his Seed.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - And Abram fell on his face - in reverential awe and worship (vide Ver. 17; cf. Genesis 24:52; Numbers 16:22; Mark 14:35). Other attitudes of devotion are mentioned (1 Kings 8:54; Mark 4:25; 1 Timothy 2:8). And God - Elohim, the third name for the Deity within the compass of as many verses, thus indicating identity of being - talked with him, saying -

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Abram fell on his face,.... At the sight of so glorious a Person that appeared to him, and in reverence of his majesty, and as sensible of his unworthiness of such a visit, and of having such favours bestowed upon him; and not because he was not as yet circumcised, as the Targum of Jonathan expresses it; and so other Jewish (f) writers observe, that before he was circumcised he fell, when God spoke to him, but afterwards he sat and stood, Genesis 18:1; but it may be observed, that not only uncircumcised persons, as Balaam, Numbers 22:31, in whom Jarchi instances, but circumcised ones, as Ezekiel, Ezekiel 1:28, Joshua, Joshua 5:14, and others, have fallen on their faces at a divine appearance:

and God talked with him; after he was raised up, and was strengthened and encouraged to stand up before God, and hear what he had to say to him; for after this we read of his falling on his face again, Genesis 17:17; which shows that he had been erect, after he first fell on his face: saying; as follows.

(f) Jarchi in loc. Pirke Eliezer, ut supra. (c. 29.)

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

3. Abram fell on his face—the attitude of profoundest reverence assumed by Eastern people. It consists in the prostrate body resting on the hands and knees, with the face bent till the forehead touches the ground. It is an expression of conscious humility and profound reverence.

Genesis 17:3 Parallel Commentaries

Genesis 17:3 NIV
Genesis 17:3 NLT
Genesis 17:3 ESV
Genesis 17:3 NASB
Genesis 17:3 KJV

Bible Hub: Online Parallel Bible


Abram Named Abraham
1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said to him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be you perfect. 2And I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly. 3And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, …

Genesis 17:17 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?"
Genesis 18:2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
Joshua 5:14 "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
Ezekiel 1:28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.