I am the Almighty, &c.— Thirteen years had now passed since the birth of Ishmael, Genesis 17:25 and Abram was advancing in his hundredth year, when all hope of offspring by Sarai must have been almost hopeless. At this time God appears to him again, to renew the covenant, and to assure him of a son by his wife. He introduces the information by saying, I am the Almighty God, as we render אלאּשׁדי eil-shadai Etymologists derive shadai from different roots; but the true derivation seems that of Schmidt, from שׁדה shadah, to pour out, to shed, whence, שׁד shad, a breast, and shadai, the pourer forth, or giver of blessings temporal and spiritual: an attribute peculiarly proper in this place, when God is about to renew his promise of blessing to Abram: and it is very observable, that this word is generally used where God is spoken of as the Giver of blessings, particularly of increase; see chap. Genesis 28:3.Genesis 35:11. &c. Those who will not allow of this interpretation, must understand the word as expressive of God's Omnipotence; in which sense it is to be considered as an argument for faith in Abram, who could not well doubt him who was able to perform all he should promise.
Walk before me, and be thou perfect— i.e.. walk before me, in my presence, in faith and obedience; and be thou entire in thy faith, and universal internally and externally in thy obedience; see note on chap. 6: Genesis 35:9.