Genesis 21:17-27

17 God heard the boy's cries, and God's messenger called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "Hagar! What's wrong? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy's cries over there.

18 Get up, pick up the boy, and take him by the hand because I will make of him a great nation."

19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well. She went over, filled the water flask, and gave the boy a drink.

20 God remained with the boy; he grew up, lived in the desert, and became an expert archer.

21 He lived in the Paran desert, and his mother found him an Egyptian wife.

Abraham’s treaty with the Philistines

22 At that time Abimelech, and Phicol commander of his forces, said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything that you do.

23 So give me your word under God that you won't cheat me, my children, or my descendants. Just as I have treated you fairly, so you must treat me and the land in which you are an immigrant."

24 Abraham said, "I give you my word.

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech's servants had seized.

26 Abimelech said, "I don't know who has done this, and you didn't tell me. I didn't even hear about it until today."

27 Abraham took flocks and cattle, gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them drew up a treaty.

Genesis 21:17-27 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or covenant