El-Shaddai Renames Abram: Covenant and New Identity

This marks a monumental moment in Abram’s story. At ninety-nine years old, Abram encounters God, who reveals Himself as El Shaddai—“God Almighty.” God calls Abram to walk faithfully and blamelessly before Him as He renews His covenant. The promise expands: Abram will be the father of many nations, not just one. To signify this transformation, God changes his name from Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of many”), making his very identity a living reminder of God’s promise.

In short: these verses are a turning point where covenant becomes personal. God isn’t just making promises; He’s reshaping Abram’s destiny down to his name. It’s as though God is saying, “Your life, your future, even your identity—I’m rewriting it to reflect My plan for you.” Faith meets promise here, and Abraham steps fully into the role of covenant bearer.