Genesis 21
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The Lord visited Sarah - That is, God fulfilled his promise to Sarah by giving her, at the advanced age of ninety, power to conceive and bring forth a son.
Open source ↗BIRTH OF ISAAC. (Gen 21:1-13) the Lord visited Sarah--The language of the historian seems designedly chosen to magnify the power of God as well as His faithfulness to His promise. It was God's grace that brought about that event, as well as the raising of spiritual children to Abraham, of which the birth of this son was typical [CALVIN].
Open source ↗And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said,.... To Abraham, Gen 17:16; in a way of mercy and kindness, by fulfilling his promise, giving strength to conceive and bear a child; see Sa1 2:21, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken; which intends the same thing in different words; and the repetition is made to cause attention to God's fulfilment of his promise, who is always faithful to his word, even in things very difficult and seemingly impossible, as in the present case: hence the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem paraphrase it, God did a wonder or wonders for Sarah in causing her to conceive when she was so old, and in such circumstances as she was.
Open source ↗Birth of Isaac. - Jehovah did for Sarah what God had promised in Gen 17:6 (cf. Gen 18:14): she conceived, and at the time appointed bore a son to Abraham, when he was 100 years old. Abraham gave it the name of Jizchak (or Isaac), and circumcised it on the eighth day. The name for the promised son had been selected by God, in connection with Abraham's laughing (Gen 17:17 and Gen 17:19), to indicate the nature of his birth and existence. For as his laughing sprang from the contrast between the idea and the reality; so through a miracle of grace the birth of Isaac gave effect to this contrast between the promise of God and the pledge of its fulfilment on the one hand, and the incapacity of Abraham for begetting children, and of Sarah for bearing them, on the other; and through this name, Isaac was designated as the fruit of omnipotent grace working against and above the forces of nature. Sarah also, who had previously laughed with unbelief at the divine promise (Gen 18:12), found a reason in the now accomplished birth of the promised son for laughing with joyous amazement; so that she exclaimed, with evident allusion to his name, "A laughing hath God prepared for me; every one who hears it will laugh to me" (i.e., will rejoice with me, in amazement at the blessing of God which has come upon me even in my old age), and gave a fitting expression to the joy of her heart, in this inspired tristich (Gen 21:7): "Who would have said unto Abraham: Sarah is giving suck; for I have born a son to his old age." מלּל is the poetic word for דּבּר, and מי before the perfect has the sense of - whoever has said, which we should express as a subjunctive; cf. Kg2 20:9; Psa 11:3, etc.
Open source ↗Long-looked-for comes at last. The vision concerning the promised seed is for an appointed time, and now, at the end, it speaks, and does not lie; few under the Old Testament were brought into the world with such expectation as Isaac was, not for the sake of any great person eminence at which he was to arrive, but because he was to be, in this very thin, a type of Christ, that seed which the holy God had so long promised and holy men so long expected. In this account of the first days of Isaac we may observe, I. The fulfilling of God's promise in the conception and birth of Isaac, Gen 21:1, Gen 21:2. Note, God's providences look best and brightest when they are compared with his word, and when we observe how God, in them all, acts as he has said, as he has spoken. 1. Isaac was born according to the promise. The Lord visited Sarah in mercy, as he had said. Note, No word of God shall fall to the ground; for he is faithful that has promised, and God's faithfulness is the stay and support of his people's faith. He was born at the set time of which God had spoken, Gen 21:2. Note, God is always punctual to his time; though his promised mercies come not at the time we set, they will certainly come at the time he sets, and that is the best time., 2. He was born by virtue of the promise: Sarah by faith received strength to conceive Heb 11:11. God therefore by promise gave that strength. It was not by the power of common providence, but by the power of a special promise, that Isaac was born. A sentence of death was, as it were, passed upon the second causes: Abraham was old, and Sarah old, and both as good as dead; and then the word of God took place. Note, True believers, by virtue of God's promises, are enabled to do that which is above the power of human nature, for by them th…
Open source ↗21:1-2 See 18:10.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife הָרָה (hârâh, H2029) — to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively) יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זָקֻן (zâqun, H2208) — old age מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham
Open source ↗אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram מוּל (mûwl, H4135) — to cut short, i.e. curtail (specifically the prepuce, i.e. to circumcise); by… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show…
Open source ↗שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application צְחֹק (tsᵉchôq, H6712) — laughter (in pleasure or derision) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… צָחַק (tsâchaq, H6711) — to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָלַל (mâlal, H4448) — to speak (mostly poetical) or say אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָנַק (yânaq, H3243) — to suck; causatively, to give milk יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… זָקֻן (zâqun, H2208) — old age
Open source ↗יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… גָּמַל (gâmal, H1580) — to treat a person (well or ill), i.e. benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to… אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מִשְׁתֶּה (mishteh, H4960) — drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally)… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham
Open source ↗שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… הָגָר (Hâgâr, H1904) — Hagar, the mother of Ishmael מִצְרִי (Mitsrîy, H4713) — a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram צָחַק (tsâchaq, H6711) — to laugh outright (in merriment or scorn); by implication, to sport
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram גָּרַשׁ (gârash, H1644) — to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce אָמָה (ʼâmâh, H519) — a maidservant or female slave בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… יָרַע (yâraʻ, H3415) — properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) אוֹדוֹת (ʼôwdôwth, H182) — turnings (i.e. occasions); (adverb) on account of בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram יָרַע (yâraʻ, H3415) — properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e. (figuratively) to fear עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… אָמָה (ʼâmâh, H519) — a maidservant or female slave שָׂרָה (Sârâh, H8283) — Sarah, Abraham's wife שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of…
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אָמָה (ʼâmâh, H519) — a maidservant or female slave שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
Open source ↗אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram שָׁכַם (shâkam, H7925) — literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e. to start early in the morning בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) חֵמֶת (chêmeth, H2573) — a skin bottle (as tied up) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) הָגָר (Hâgâr, H1904) — Hagar, the mother of Ishmael שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… שְׁכֶם (shᵉkem, H7926) — the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of ahill יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.
So the LORD attended to Hannah, and she conceived and gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the LORD.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.
When Naomi heard in Moab that the LORD had attended to His people by providing them with food, she and her daughters-in-law prepared to leave the land of Moab.
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.