Genesis 21:13

13 I will make the son of your servant into a nation also. I will do it because he is your child."

Genesis 21:13 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:13

And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation,
&c.] A great nation, as is promised, ( Genesis 17:20 ) ; and such the Ishmaelites and Saracens have been, and the Turks now are, the descendants of Ishmael. The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, a people of thieves, or a thieving people; as were the Saracens, and who are thought to have that name from the Arabic word "sarac" ^F25, to thieve; though they would have it derived from Sarah: but it is not agreeable to the promise of God to Abraham, that when for his comfort he is told that his son Ishmael and his descendants should become a great nation, that they should be described as a company of thieves and robbers; and especially when the reason of the promise is given,

because he [is] thy seed;
or thy son; here the word "seed" is again used of a single individual; see ( Genesis 4:25 ) ( Galatians 3:16 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 <arabic> "furatus fuit, furto abstulit", Golius, col. 1167. Castel. col. 2626.

Genesis 21:13 In-Context

11 What Sarah said upset Abraham very much. After all, Ishmael was his son.

12 But God said to him, "Do not be so upset about the boy and your servant Hagar. Listen to what Sarah tells you, because your family line will continue through Isaac.

13 I will make the son of your servant into a nation also. I will do it because he is your child."

14 Early the next morning Abraham got some food and a bottle of water. The bottle was made out of animal skin. He gave the food and water to Hagar. He placed them on her shoulders. Then he sent her away with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba.

15 When the water in the bottle was gone, she put the boy under a bush.