Genesis 21:1-6

1 The Lord blessed Sarah, as he had promised,
2 and she became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham when he was old. The boy was born at the time God had said he would be born. 1
3 Abraham named him Isaac,
4 and when Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded. 2
5 Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac was born.
6 Sarah said, "God has brought me joy and laughter. Everyone who hears about it will laugh with me."

Genesis 21:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 21

This chapter gives an account of the conception, birth, circumcision, and weaning of Isaac, Ge 21:1-8; of the mocking of Ishmael, and of the casting out of him and his mother from Abraham's house, at the request of Sarah, which, though grievous to Abraham, he complied with at the direction of God, Ge 21:9-13; of the provision Abraham made for their departure, and of the supply they met with in the wilderness from God, where Ishmael was brought up, and where he married, Ge 21:14-21; and of a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, king of Gerar, Ge 21:22-32; and of Abraham's planting a grove, and calling on the name of the Lord, Ge 21:33; and the chapter is closed with this observation, that Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days, Ge 21:34.

Cross References 2

  • 1. 21.2Hebrews 11.11.
  • 2. 21.4Genesis 17.12;Acts 7.8.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. laughter: [The name Isaac in Hebrew means "he laughs" (see also 17.17-19).]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.