Bible Commentaries
Genesis 21

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 21:1, Isaac is born, and circumcised; Genesis 21:6, Sarah’s joy; Genesis 21:8, Isaac is weaned; Genesis 21:9, Hagar and Ishmael are cast forth; Genesis 21:15, Hagar in distress; Genesis 21:17, The angel relieves and comforts her; Genesis 21:23, Abimelech’s covenant with Abraham at Beer-sheba.

Verse 1

visited: Genesis 50:24, Exodus 3:16, Exodus 4:31, Exodus 20:5, Ruth 1:6, 1 Samuel 2:21, Psalms 106:4, Luke 1:68, Luke 19:44, Romans 4:17-20

Sarah as: Genesis 17:19, Genesis 18:10, Genesis 18:14, Psalms 12:6, Matthew 24:35, Galatians 4:23, Galatians 4:28, Titus 1:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:30 - barren Genesis 24:36 - Sarah Genesis 29:31 - he opened Genesis 30:22 - remembered Ruth 4:13 - the Lord 1 Samuel 1:19 - and the Lord 2 Kings 4:17 - General Psalms 8:4 - visitest Ecclesiastes 3:2 - time to be born Luke 1:25 - hath Acts 7:8 - and so Galatians 4:22 - that Hebrews 11:11 - Sara

Verse 2

conceived: 2 Kings 4:16, 2 Kings 4:17, Luke 1:24, Luke 1:25, Luke 1:36, Acts 7:8, Galatians 4:22, Hebrews 11:11

at the set: Genesis 17:19, Genesis 17:21, Genesis 18:10, Genesis 18:14, Romans 9:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 11:30 - barren Genesis 29:31 - he opened Genesis 30:22 - opened Joshua 24:3 - gave 1 Chronicles 1:28 - Isaac 1 Chronicles 1:34 - Abraham Ecclesiastes 3:2 - time to be born Matthew 1:2 - Abraham Luke 1:57 - General Galatians 4:23 - but Hebrews 6:15 - General

Verse 3

Genesis 21:6, Genesis 21:12, Genesis 17:19, Genesis 22:2, Joshua 24:3, Matthew 1:2, Acts 7:8, Romans 9:7, Hebrews 11:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:21 - at Judges 14:3 - thy brethren 1 Chronicles 1:34 - Abraham Luke 1:57 - General Luke 1:59 - General Luke 3:34 - which was the son of Isaac

Verse 4

Genesis 17:10-12, Exodus 12:48, Leviticus 12:3, Deuteronomy 12:32, Luke 1:6, Luke 1:59, Luke 2:21, John 7:22, John 7:23, Acts 7:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:12 - he that is eight days old Judges 14:3 - thy brethren Matthew 19:14 - Suffer Luke 18:16 - Suffer

Verse 5

Genesis 17:1, Genesis 17:17, Romans 4:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:1 - was old Psalms 113:9 - maketh Jeremiah 20:15 - A man

Verse 6

God: Genesis 17:17, Genesis 18:12-15, 1 Samuel 1:26-28, 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Psalms 113:9, Psalms 126:2, Isaiah 49:15, Isaiah 49:21, Isaiah 54:1, Luke 1:46-55, John 16:21, John 16:22, Galatians 4:27, Galatians 4:28, Hebrews 11:11

to laugh: Sarah most likely remembered the circumstance mentioned in Genesis 18:12, and also the name Isaac, which implies laughter.

will laugh: Luke 1:14, Luke 1:58, Romans 12:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:19 - Sarah Genesis 21:3 - General Job 8:21 - he fill Proverbs 13:12 - when Ecclesiastes 3:4 - a time to laugh Jeremiah 20:15 - A man Luke 6:21 - ye shall laugh

Verse 7

Who: Numbers 23:23, Deuteronomy 4:32-34, Psalms 86:8, Psalms 86:10, Isaiah 49:21, Isaiah 66:8, Ephesians 3:10, 2 Thessalonians 1:10

for I: Genesis 18:11, Genesis 18:12

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 1:23 - son suck 1 Kings 3:21 - give 1 Kings 11:20 - weaned Proverbs 13:12 - when John 16:21 - for

Verse 8

am 2111, bc 1893

and was: 1 Samuel 1:22, Psalms 131:2, Hosea 1:8

feast: Genesis 19:3, Genesis 26:30, Genesis 29:22, Genesis 40:20, Judges 14:10, Judges 14:12, 1 Samuel 25:36, 2 Samuel 3:20, 1 Kings 3:15, Esther 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:54 - did eat Genesis 43:16 - slay 1 Samuel 1:23 - son suck Daniel 1:4 - Children

Verse 9

Sarah: Genesis 16:3-6, Genesis 16:15, Genesis 17:20

Egyptian: Genesis 16:1, Genesis 16:15

mocking: 2 Kings 2:23, 2 Kings 2:24, 2 Chronicles 30:10, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Nehemiah 4:1-5, Job 30:1, Psalms 22:6, Psalms 42:10, Psalms 44:13, Psalms 44:14, Proverbs 20:11, Lamentations 1:7, Galatians 4:22, Galatians 4:29, Hebrews 11:36

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:9 - Isaac 1 Chronicles 1:28 - Ishmael 1 Chronicles 5:10 - the Hagarites Proverbs 22:10 - General Galatians 4:24 - Agar

Verse 10

Cast out: The word rendered "cast out," signifies also to divorce. See note on Leviticus 21:7. In this latter sense, it may be understood here. Genesis 25:6, Genesis 25:19, Genesis 17:19, Genesis 17:21, Genesis 20:11, Genesis 22:10, Genesis 36:6, Genesis 36:7, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 8:12, Matthew 22:13, John 8:35, Galatians 4:22-31, 1 John 2:19

heir: John 8:35, Galatians 3:18, Galatians 4:7, 1 Peter 1:4, 1 John 2:19

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:1 - bare Genesis 24:36 - unto Genesis 25:5 - General Genesis 25:9 - Isaac Genesis 30:4 - to wife Exodus 18:23 - God 1 Chronicles 1:28 - Ishmael Proverbs 22:10 - General Ezekiel 16:5 - but thou Galatians 3:29 - Abraham's Galatians 4:30 - Cast

Verse 11

because: Genesis 17:18, Genesis 22:1, Genesis 22:2, 2 Samuel 18:33, Matthew 10:37, Hebrews 12:11

Verse 12

hearken: 1 Samuel 8:7, 1 Samuel 8:9, Isaiah 46:10

in Isaac: Genesis 17:19, Genesis 17:21, Romans 9:7, Romans 9:8, Hebrews 11:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:4 - shall come Genesis 16:1 - bare Genesis 21:3 - General Genesis 21:14 - child Genesis 22:2 - Take 1 Chronicles 1:28 - Isaac Galatians 3:16 - to

Verse 13

Genesis 21:18, Genesis 16:10, Genesis 17:20, Genesis 25:12-18

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:16 - General

Verse 14

am 2112, bc 1892

rose up: Genesis 19:27, Genesis 22:3, Genesis 24:54, Genesis 26:31, Psalms 119:60, Proverbs 27:14, Ecclesiastes 9:10

took: Genesis 25:6, Genesis 36:6, Genesis 36:7

child: Or, youth - See note on Genesis 21:12, and See note on Genesis 21:20, as Ishmael was now 16 or 17 years of age.

sent: John 8:35

wandered: Genesis 16:7, Genesis 37:15, Psalms 107:4, Isaiah 16:8, Galatians 4:23-25

Beersheba: So called when Moses wrote; but not before Abraham's covenant with Abimelech, Genesis 21:31. Such instances of the figure prolepsis are not infrequent in the Pentateuch Genesis 21:33, Genesis 22:19, Genesis 26:33, Genesis 46:1, 1 Kings 19:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:15 - the water Genesis 24:15 - pitcher Genesis 25:18 - Havilah Joshua 15:28 - Beersheba Daniel 1:4 - Children

Verse 15

the water: Genesis 21:14, Exodus 15:22-25, Exodus 17:1-3, 2 Kings 3:9, Psalms 63:1, Isaiah 44:12, Jeremiah 14:3

and she cast the child: Or, "and she sent the lad," to screen him from the intensity of the heat.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 17:10 - Fetch me 1 Kings 19:4 - sat down

Verse 16

Let: Genesis 44:34, 1 Kings 3:26, Esther 8:6, Isaiah 49:15, Zechariah 12:10, Luke 15:20

lift: Genesis 27:38, Genesis 29:11, Judges 2:4, Ruth 1:9, 1 Samuel 24:16, 1 Samuel 30:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:10 - I will Exodus 37:12 - handbreadth 1 Kings 17:12 - that we may eat it 1 Kings 19:4 - sat down 2 Kings 25:7 - they slew Proverbs 25:25 - cold Jeremiah 39:6 - before Jeremiah 48:18 - and sit Jeremiah 52:10 - slew

Verse 17

heard: Genesis 16:11, Exodus 3:7, Exodus 22:23, Exodus 22:27, 2 Kings 13:4, 2 Kings 13:23, Psalms 50:15, Psalms 65:2, Psalms 91:15, Matthew 15:32

the angel: Genesis 16:9, Genesis 16:11

What: Judges 18:23, 1 Samuel 11:5, Isaiah 22:1

fear: Genesis 15:1, Genesis 46:3, Exodus 14:13, Psalms 107:4-6, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:13, Isaiah 41:14, Isaiah 43:1, Isaiah 43:2, Mark 5:36

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:11 - angel 2 Kings 6:28 - What aileth thee

Verse 18

I will: Genesis 21:13, Genesis 16:10, Genesis 17:20, Genesis 25:12-18, 1 Chronicles 1:29-31

Verse 19

Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17-20, Isaiah 35:5, Isaiah 35:6, Luke 24:16-31

Verse 20

God: Genesis 17:20, Genesis 28:15, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:3, Genesis 39:21, Judges 6:12, Judges 13:24, Judges 13:25, Luke 1:80, Luke 2:40

an archer: Genesis 10:9, Genesis 16:12, Genesis 25:27, Genesis 27:3, Genesis 49:23, Genesis 49:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:14 - child 1 Samuel 10:7 - God

Verse 21

in the: Numbers 10:12, Numbers 12:16, Numbers 13:3, Numbers 13:26, 1 Samuel 25:1

a wife: Genesis 24:3, Genesis 24:4, Genesis 26:34, Genesis 26:35, Genesis 27:46, Genesis 28:1, Genesis 28:2, Judges 14:2, 1 Corinthians 7:38

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:6 - Elparan Genesis 16:1 - Egyptian Genesis 25:18 - Havilah Genesis 34:4 - General Genesis 38:6 - took Deuteronomy 1:1 - Paran 1 Kings 11:18 - Paran 2 Chronicles 24:3 - took for him Jeremiah 29:6 - take wives Habakkuk 3:3 - Paran

Verse 22

am 2118, bc 1886

Abimelech: Genesis 20:2, Genesis 26:26

God: Genesis 20:17, Genesis 26:28, Genesis 28:15, Genesis 30:27, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:3, Joshua 3:7, 2 Chronicles 1:1, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 45:14, Zechariah 8:23, Matthew 1:23, Romans 8:31, 1 Corinthians 14:25, Hebrews 13:5, Revelation 3:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 23:6 - a mighty prince Genesis 26:1 - Abimelech Genesis 26:29 - the blessed Genesis 31:3 - with thee Genesis 31:44 - let us Genesis 39:21 - the Lord 2 Samuel 5:10 - the Lord 2 Kings 18:7 - And the Lord

Verse 23

swear: Genesis 14:22, Genesis 14:23, Genesis 24:3, Genesis 26:28, Genesis 31:44, Genesis 31:53, Deuteronomy 6:13, Joshua 2:12, 1 Samuel 20:13, 1 Samuel 20:17, 1 Samuel 20:42, 1 Samuel 24:21, 1 Samuel 24:22, 1 Samuel 30:15, Jeremiah 4:2, 2 Corinthians 1:23, Hebrews 6:16

that thou wilt not deal falsely with me: Heb. if thou shalt lie unto me

I have: Genesis 20:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:31 - sware Judges 11:10 - The Lord

Verse 24

Genesis 14:13, Romans 12:18, Hebrews 6:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:53 - sware

Verse 25

reproved: Genesis 26:15-22, Genesis 29:8, Exodus 2:15-17, Judges 1:15, Proverbs 17:10, Proverbs 25:9, Proverbs 27:5, Matthew 18:15

because: Wells of water were of great consequence in those hot countries, especially where the flocks were numerous; because water was scarce, and digging to find it was attended with the expense of much time and labour.

servants: Genesis 13:7, Genesis 26:15-22, Exodus 2:16, Exodus 2:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:20 - did strive Leviticus 6:4 - which he

Verse 26

I wot: "Wot," though used for the present, is the past tense of the almost obsolete word "to wit," from the Saxon witan, to know. Genesis 13:7, 2 Kings 5:20-24

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:15 - wot ye not Exodus 32:1 - we wot Acts 3:17 - wot Philippians 1:22 - I wot

Verse 27

took: Genesis 14:22, Genesis 14:23, Proverbs 17:8, Proverbs 18:16, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 21:14, Isaiah 32:8

made: Genesis 26:28-31, Genesis 31:44, 1 Samuel 18:3, Ezekiel 17:13, Romans 1:31, Galatians 3:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:32 - General Judges 14:3 - thy brethren

Verse 29

Genesis 33:8, Exodus 12:26, 1 Samuel 15:14

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 16:2 - What meanest

Verse 30

a witness: Genesis 31:44-48, Genesis 31:52, Joshua 22:27, Joshua 22:28, Joshua 24:27

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:15 - his father's Hebrews 6:16 - an oath

Verse 31

called: Genesis 26:33

Beersheba: i.e., The well of the oath, or the well of the seven: alluding to the seven ewe lambs. The verb rendered "to swear" is derived from the word translated seven. Genesis 21:14, Genesis 26:23, Joshua 15:28, Judges 20:1, 2 Samuel 17:11, 1 Kings 4:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:14 - General Genesis 22:19 - to Beersheba Genesis 26:18 - and he Genesis 26:28 - Let there Genesis 26:31 - sware Genesis 46:1 - Beersheba Joshua 19:2 - and Moladah 2 Samuel 24:7 - to Beersheba 1 Kings 19:3 - Beersheba 2 Kings 23:8 - Beersheba Nehemiah 11:27 - General Hebrews 6:16 - an oath

Verse 32

Genesis 21:27, Genesis 14:13, Genesis 31:53, 1 Samuel 18:3

the Philistines: Genesis 10:14, Genesis 26:8, Genesis 26:14, Exodus 13:17, Judges 13:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:26 - Phichol Genesis 26:28 - Let there Genesis 26:31 - sware 1 Kings 5:12 - they two

Verse 33

grove: or, tree, Amos 8:14, The original word eshel, has been variously translated a grove, a plantation, an orchard, a cultivated field, and an oak; but it may denote a kind of tamarisk, as it is rendered by Gesenius, the same with the Arabic athl.

Beersheba: Deuteronomy 16:21, Judges 3:7

called: Genesis 4:26, Genesis 12:8, Genesis 26:23, Genesis 26:25, Genesis 26:33

on the name: Dr. Shuckford justly contends, that the expression rendered, "he called on the name," signifies "he invoked in the name."

everlasting: Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalms 90:2, Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 57:15, Jeremiah 10:10, Romans 1:20, Romans 16:26, 1 Timothy 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:1 - the south Genesis 14:22 - possessor Genesis 21:14 - Beersheba Genesis 28:22 - God's Genesis 33:20 - altar Genesis 46:1 - Beersheba Leviticus 17:5 - in the open 2 Chronicles 19:4 - Beersheba Amos 5:5 - Beersheba

Verse 34

Genesis 20:1, 1 Chronicles 29:15, Psalms 39:12, Hebrews 11:9, Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11