Genesis 21:13

13 But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.”

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 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son.

12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.

13 But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.”

14 So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush.