Genesis 21:14-24

14 Early the next morning Abraham gave Hagar some food and a leather bag full of water. He put the child on her back and sent her away. She left and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water was all gone, she left the child under a bush

16 and sat down about a hundred yards away. She said to herself, "I can't bear to see my child die." While she was sitting there, she began to cry.

17 God heard the boy crying, and from heaven the angel of God spoke to Hagar, "What are you troubled about, Hagar? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy crying.

18 Get up, go and pick him up, and comfort him. I will make a great nation out of his descendants."

19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well. She went and filled the leather bag with water and gave some to the boy.

20 God was with the boy as he grew up; he lived in the wilderness of Paran and became a skillful hunter.

21 His mother got an Egyptian wife for him.

22 At that time Abimelech went with Phicol, the commander of his army, and said to Abraham, "God is with you in everything you do. ¹

23 So make a vow here in the presence of God that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so promise that you will also be loyal to me and to this country in which you are living."

24 Abraham said, "I promise."

Genesis 21:14-24 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

• 1. 21.22Genesis 26.26.

Footnotes

• [a]. she; [one ancient translation] the child.