Genesis 17:4

As for me. God refers to Himself at the beginning of the sentence by way of emphasis. The expression is equivalent to saying, “So far as I am concerned I,” or, “I for my part,” hold myself bound to the covenant of many years ago.

A father of many nations. This prediction was to have a twofold fulfillment. In the first place, it pointed to the numerous tribes that would trace their genealogy back to Abram. The Ishmaelite Arabs, the Midianites, and other Arabic tribes descending from Keturah (see ch. 25:1-4), and the Edomites — as well as the Israelites — all were the offspring of Abram. In a wider sense, however, this promise pointed to the innumerable spiritual descendants who would claim Abram as their father (Gal. 3:29).