Genesis 21:1-14

1 The LORD came to help Sarah and did for her what he had promised.

2 So she became pregnant, and at the exact time God had promised, she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age.

3 Abraham named his newborn son Isaac.

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

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

6 Sarah said, "God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.

7 Who would have predicted to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet, I have given him a son in his old age."

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

9 Sarah saw that Abraham's son by Hagar the Egyptian was laughing at Isaac.

10 She said to Abraham, "Get rid of this slave and her son, because this slave's son must never share the inheritance with my son Isaac."

11 Abraham was upset by this because of his son Ishmael.

12 But God said to Abraham, "Don't be upset about the boy and your slave. Listen to what Sarah says because through Isaac your descendants will carry on your name.

13 Besides, I will make the slave's son into a nation also, because he is your child."

14 Early the next morning Abraham took bread and a container of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder. He also gave her the boy and sent her on her way. So she left and wandered around in the desert near Beersheba.

Genesis 21:1-14 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.