Genesis 21:1-9

The Birth of Isaac

1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.
2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.
3 Abraham gave the name Isaac[a] to the son Sarah bore him.
4 When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God commanded him.
5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.
6 Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”
7 And she added, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away

8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast.
9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,

Genesis 21:1-9 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.

Cross References 13

  • 1. 1 Samuel 2:21
  • 2. S Genesis 8:1; S Genesis 17:16,21; Genesis 18:14; Galatians 4:23; Hebrews 11:11
  • 3. S Genesis 17:19; S Genesis 30:6
  • 4. Galatians 4:22; Hebrews 11:11
  • 5. S Genesis 18:10
  • 6. S Genesis 16:11; S Genesis 17:19; Joshua 24:3
  • 7. Genesis 17:10,12; Acts 7:8
  • 8. S Genesis 12:4; Hebrews 6:15
  • 9. Genesis 17:17; Job 8:21; Psalms 126:2; Isaiah 12:6; Isaiah 35:2; Isaiah 44:23; Isaiah 52:9; Isaiah 54:1
  • 10. S Genesis 17:17
  • 11. 1 Samuel 1:23
  • 12. S Genesis 16:15
  • 13. Genesis 39:14; Galatians 4:29

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. "Isaac" means "he laughs."
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