Why Abraham Was Renamed and Inherited Two Worlds

Another interpretation: "And Abraham was old" (Genesis 24:1) — for he acquired two worlds. At first his name was Abram, and now a hei was added to him, for he inherited two worlds, since in his merit this world and the world to come were created. Rabbi Chalafta bar Kahana said: It is written, "These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created [be-hibbare'am]" (Genesis 2:4) — these are the very same letters that are in "Abraham" [be-Avraham]. Thus, in his merit this world and the world to come were created. He it is to whom the Holy One, blessed be He, said, "And I will make you a great nation" (Genesis 12:2). Why did He not say to him "and I will set you," but rather "and I will make you"? Rabbi Berechiah the Priest said in the name of Rabbi Chiyya his father, who said in the name of Rav Yehuda bar Yechezkel and his masters, in the name of our masters in the exile: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Abraham, "I am creating you a new creation and renewing you." "And I will make your name great" (Genesis 12:2). Rabbi Yehuda the Levite, son of Rabbi Shalom, said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Abraham, "I am making your name correspond to the number of the limbs that are in you. Just as the limbs are two hundred and forty-eight, so too your name is two hundred and forty-eight." "And I will make your name great, and you shall be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). When did He show him the blessing? In his old age, as it is said, "And Abraham was old" (Genesis 24:1).