Genesis 21:3-13

3 Abraham named his son who was born to him-the one Sarah bore to him-Isaac.

4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.

5 Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

6 Sarah said, "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me."^[a]

7 She also said, "Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him^[b] a son in his old age."

Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

8 The child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.

9 But Sarah saw the son mocking^[c]-the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham.^[d]

10 So she said to Abraham, "Drive out this slave with her son, for the son of this slave will not be a co-heir with my son Isaac!"^[e]

11 Now this was a very difficult thing for^[f] Abraham because of his son.

12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not be concerned^[g] about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your offspring will be traced through Isaac.^[h]

13 But I will also make a nation of the slave's son because he is your offspring."

Genesis 21:3-13 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] Gn 18:12-15
• [b] Sam, Tg Jonathan; MT omits him
• [c] LXX, Vg add Isaac her son
• [d] Gl 4:29
• [e] Gl 4:30
• [f] Lit was very bad in the eyes of
• [g] Lit Let it not be bad in your eyes
• [h] Rm 9:7