Genesis 21
World English Bible
WEB1Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken. 2Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. 3Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac. 4Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him. 5Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him. 6Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.” 8The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will not be heir with my son, Isaac.” 11The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son. 12God said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be named through Isaac. 13I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.” 14Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs. 16She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 17God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.” 19God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink. 20God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer. 21He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt. 22At that time, Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his army spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do. 23Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner.” 24Abraham said, “I will swear.” 25Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. 26Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.” 27Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant. 28Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 29Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?” 30He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.” 31Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore an oath there. 32So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 33Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of Yahweh, the Everlasting God. 34Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines many days.
World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org
Overview
Genesis Chapter 21 marks a significant moment in the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, as it recounts the miraculous birth of their son, Isaac. After years of waiting and struggling with doubt, God fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah, demonstrating His faithfulness. The chapter begins with the announcement that Sarah has given birth to Isaac, and she joyfully declares, 'God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me' (Genesis 21:6). This reflects the joy and amazement that comes from God's intervention in their lives, as Isaac's name itself means 'laughter.' This event not only signifies the fulfillment of God's covenant but also highlights the theme of hope and divine timing in the lives of His people. #Isaac #Abraham #Sarah
The chapter continues with the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, which is a poignant moment in the story. After witnessing the tension between her son Ishmael and Isaac, Sarah insists that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Though distressed, Abraham obeys God’s command, who reassures him that He will take care of Ishmael. This act emphasizes God's sovereignty and care for all His creation, as He promises to make Ishmael a great nation. The chapter concludes with God providing for Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, illustrating His compassion and faithfulness even in difficult circumstances. This narrative reinforces the understanding that God’s plans are often beyond human comprehension, yet they are always good and purposeful. #Hagar #Ishmael #GodsPromise
Referenced by
- Genesis 26:28v22Genesis 26:28 shows Abimelech seeking a covenant with Isaac, similar to the covenant made with Abraham in Genesis 21:22-23, recognizing God's blessing upon them.
- Genesis 31:53v23In Genesis 31:53, Jacob and Laban make a covenant, invoking God as a witness. This is similar to the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech in Genesis 21:23, where God is also called upon as a witness.
- 1 Samuel 1:20v21 Samuel 1:20 records the birth of Samuel, a child of promise, similar to the birth of Isaac in Genesis 21:2, both being answers to prayer and fulfillment of God's promise.
- Psalms 113:9v1Psalm 113:9 mentions God granting the barren woman a home and making her a joyful mother, reminiscent of God's promise and fulfillment to Sarah in Genesis 21:1-2.
- Romans 9:6v12Romans 9:6 discusses the concept that not all who are descended from Israel are truly Israel, which is illustrated in Genesis 21:12 where God tells Abraham that his offspring will be named through Isaac, not Ishmael.
- Galatians 4:22v2Galatians 4:22 references Abraham's two sons, one by a bondwoman and one by a free woman, which is rooted in the narrative of Genesis 21:2 where Sarah bears Isaac, the son of promise.
- Hebrews 11:11v1Hebrews 11:11 speaks of Sarah's faith in receiving power to conceive, which is fulfilled in Genesis 21:1-2 when she gives birth to Isaac.
Topics in this chapter
- Covenant
- Provision
- Promise
- Faithfulness
- Isaac
- Beersheba
- Faith
- Ishmael
- Compassion
- Hagar
- Peace
- Trust
- Abimelech
- Abraham
- Care
- Fulfillment
- God's Timing
- Grace
- Joy
- Laughter
- Patriarchs
- Sarah
- Sovereignty of God
- Testing
- Worship
- Blessing
- Cast Out
- Conflict Resolution
- Covenant People
- Dedication
- Deliverance
- Distress
- Divine Blessings
- Divine Guidance
- Divine Hearing
- Divine Intervention
- Divine Promise
- Divine Provision
- Divine Purpose
- Election
- Eternality
- Exile
- Firstborn
- God's Care
- God's Nature
- God's Promises
- Hagar and Ishmael
- Hope
- Inclusivity
- Integrity
- Joy in Faith
- King
- Law and Grace
- Matriarchs
- Mother
- Nation
- Patriarchs
- Promise Fulfilled
- Promise vs. Flesh
- Promises
- Protection
- Reconciliation
- Relationships in the Bible
- Religious Art
- Sarah's Slaughter
- Servant
- Spiritual Lineage
- Supplication
- Thanksgiving
- Trusting God
- Unity
- Well
- Wells of Oath (Beersheba)
- Wilderness
- Wilderness of Paran
- Wisdom
Related chapters
- Genesis 16HagarIshmaelMatriarchs
- Genesis 17LaughterNationHagar
- Galatians 4HagarIshmaelLaw and Grace
- Genesis 26AbimelechBeershebaMother
- Hebrews 11SarahIsaacAbraham
- Romans 9IsaacElectionAbraham
- Genesis 18LaughterSarahIsaac
- Genesis 12MatriarchsSarahAbraham
- Genesis 25IshmaelIsaacElection
- 1 Samuel 1Religious ArtSupplicationDedication
- Genesis 27BeershebaMatriarchsMother
- Genesis 20AbimelechMatriarchsSarah
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