The LORD, before whom I walk: in 17.1 the LORD appeared to Abraham and instructed him to “walk before me and be blameless.” “Walk before me” means “Live in conformity to my will,” “Do as I ask you,” “Obey me.” In this context we may translate, for example, “in whose presence I have lived” (Revised English Bible), “whom I have always obeyed” (Good News Translation), or “whom I have always followed.”

Will send his angel with you: see Gen 24.8.

Prosper your way: see “prospered his journey” in verse 21.

And you shall take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house: see verses 4, 7. This is a fuller statement than in verse 7, and it is closely linked to prosper your way. This suggests to some translators the rendering “They are my clan and my relatives. It will not be difficult for you to get one of their girls for my son to marry.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .