Bible Commentaries
Genesis 21

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

as = according as.

said. Emphasis on "said" for our faith.

spoken. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 2

set time = exact time.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. Note change of title here, till Genesis 21:32 , because it is Creator and creature. In Genesis 21:33 , Jehovah, where it is Covenant relation. In Mary's song both titles united (Luke 1:46 , Luke 1:47 and compare verses: Gen 21:37 , Gen 21:38 ).

Verse 3

Isaac. Hebrew. Let him laugh. Compare Genesis 17:17 ; Genesis 18:12 , Genesis 18:13 , Genesis 18:15 ; Genesis 21:6 , Genesis 21:9 ; Genesis 26:8 .

Verse 4

eight. The Dominical No. See App-10 . Compare Ishmael, 13th year.

Verse 5

hundred. See App-10 .

Verse 7

suck. A proof that "God", the Creator, had renewed her youth, showing why Abimelech should have taken her (Genesis 20:2 ). Sarah's Magnificat may be compared with Mary's. The scenes of both near to each other. Mary's words (Luke 1:54 , Luke 1:55 ) connect her "mercy" with that shown to "Abraham and his seed",

Verse 8

grew. Compare Luke 2:40 .

Verse 9

mocking. Hebrew "laughing" or "chaffing", or "mocking again" (as we say).

Verse 10

Cast out, &c. See the Divine interpretation. Galatians 1:3 , Gal 1:6-29 ; Galatians 4:22-31 .

with my son, &c Hebrew idiom "with my son with Isaac". Compare Numbers 12:8 .

Verse 11

thing. Hebrew. word.

Verse 12

Isaac . . . thy seed. Here ser'a is in the sing sense, because of the word "Isaac", and because of the sing verb "it shall be called. " Zer'a is a collective noun (like Eng. "sheep"), but the context must determine whether it is sing, or plural. It is to this verse Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 refers; not to Genesis 12:7 , where it is indefinite; or Genesis 17:7 where the verb and pronouns show it is plural. See note there, and on Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 ; and compare Romans 9:7 . Hebrews 11:18 . "Thy seed" is therefore "Christ". The difference of the 30 years comes in here: 430 to the Exodus ( Gen 12:40 ) from Genesis 12:4 , when Abraham was 75: 25 thence to Isaac's birth: and now, 5 to his recognition as the seed = 30 years.

Verse 14

bottle. Compare man's provision (a bottle) with God's (a well) (Genesis 21:19 ).

it. Hagar put the "bottle of water" on her shoulder, surely not Ishmael, because Ishmael was about seventeen years old at this time. Abraham was Eighty-six years of age when Ishmael was born (Genesis 16:16 ), Isaac was born when Abraham was one-hundred years old (Genesis 21:6 ), then Ishmael would have been fourteen-years old when Isaac was born, Add to the age of Isaac when he was weaned (Genesis 21:8 ) three years.

Verse 16

lift up her voice = the boy lifted tip his voice and wept. So Septuagint (see Genesis 21:17 ).

Verse 17

heard. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 19

well. Hebrew. beer, a well (digged): not 'ayin, a spring or fountain; or bor , a cistern (hewn).

Verse 23

kindness. Fig, Metonymy (of Cause). App-6 . See Genesis 20:13 .

Verse 25

violently, &c. Compare Genesis 26:19 , Genesis 26:20 . Exodus 2:17 . Judges 5:11 . This explains Exodus 17:8 , "Then came Amalek", because of verses: Genesis 21:1-7 .

Verse 26

wot not = know not. O. Eng. idiom.

Verse 27

both. Not one party as in Genesis 15:10-18 . Compare Galatians 3:20 .

made. Hebrew. cut, because of the dividing of the sacrifice. Compare Genesis 15:10 . Jeremiah 34:18-20 . Eng. concluded or solemnized.

Verse 31

Beer-sheba = Hebrew. well of the oath.

Verse 33

grove. Hebrew. 'eshel = trees, riot 'asherah ( App-42 ), but the wood for Genesis 22:3 about twenty years later.

the everlasting GOD. This is the Divine definition of Jehovah (Lord), Hebrew. 'olam = duration, secret and hidden from man. Compare Psalms 90:2 .