Genesis 21
21
Birth of Isaac
1Yahweh visited Sarah, # 21:1 We are not told if the Lord appeared to Sarah or visited her in a dream, but it is clear that Yahweh came to her to confirm his promise. just as he said he would, and fulfilled his promise to her. 2And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the exact time God had promised them. 3Abraham named his son Isaac, the miracle son, whom Sarah bore him. 4When Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. 5Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born. 6Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh # 21:6 This verse contains a double allusion to the name Isaac, which means “he laughed.” Every time Abraham and Sarah spoke Isaac’s name, they acknowledged the miracle of God. The name Yitzhak (Isaac) is the word for “laughter” but in the past tense. It could be translated “delayed laughter.” If you had a baby after turning one hundred, you might laugh too! Notice the details of Isaac’s birth and how they foreshadow the birth of our Lord Jesus: (1) Both sons were the promised seed—Gen. 17:6; Isa. 7:14. (2) Both were long awaited—Gen. 12:5–6; 21:1–3; Gal. 4:4. (3) Both had mothers who asked questions—Gen. 18:13–14; Luke 1:34–37. (4) Both had names given before birth—Gen. 17:19; Matt. 1:21. (5) Both births were miraculous—Gen. 21:2; Matt. 1:18. (6) Both sons were a delight to their father—Gen. 22:2; Matt. 3:17. with me.” 7And she added,
“Who would ever have told Abraham
that Sarah would one day nurse children!
Even though Abraham is an old man,
look—I have given him a son!”
Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away
8Isaac grew and was weaned; and on the day Sarah weaned him, Abraham prepared a great feast. 9But Sarah noticed the son of Hagar, the Egyptian, was mocking # 21:9 The Hebrew word used here is built on the root stem from the name Isaac. It is possible to translate it “jesting,” “playing,” or “making fun of [Isaac].” Regardless, Sarah saw it as a threat to her son. See Gal. 4:21–31. her son Isaac. # 21:9 The italicized words are found in both the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate. 10So she said to Abraham, “Get rid of this slave woman and her son. Banish them, for the son of that slave woman must not become a coheir with my son Isaac!”
11Abraham was very upset over Sarah’s demand, for Ishmael was his son too. 12God spoke to Abraham, # 21:12 Perhaps God spoke to Abraham in a night vision or dream. God still speaks to his prophets today, as he spoke to Abraham. “Don’t be distressed over the slave woman and her son. Listen to every word Sarah says to you, and do it, for it will be through Isaac your promise of descendants will be fulfilled. # 21:12 Or “through Isaac your seed will be counted.” See Rom. 9:7; Gal. 3:16; Heb. 11:18. 13Rest assured, I will make the son of your slave woman into a nation too, because he is your son.”
14Abraham rose up early the next morning, bundled up some food and a skin of water, and strapped them to Hagar’s shoulders. Then he gave her his son and sent them away. So, Hagar and her son Ishmael departed and wandered off into the wilderness of Beersheba.
15When the water was gone, she grew desperate, so she left her son # 21:15 Ishmael was not an infant, for he had been circumcised at thirteen (see Gen. 17:25), and Isaac was born a year afterwards. It was common to wean children at the age of four or five, so Ishmael was at least a teenager when Hagar was sent away. under a bush. 16Then she walked about the distance of a bowshot and sat down, for she thought, “I can’t bear to watch my son die.” As she sat nearby, she broke into tears and sobbed uncontrollably.
17And God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called out to Hagar from the heavenly realm # 21:17 Both Ishmael and Isaac were saved by a voice from heaven (see Gen. 22:11). and said, “What’s the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the voice of your son crying as he lies there. 18Get up! Help the boy up and hold him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” 19Then God opened her eyes to reveal a well of water. She went over to the well and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a long, cool drink.
20God was with Ishmael as he grew up in the wilderness of Paran. He became an expert archer, 21and his mother, Hagar, arranged a marriage for him with an Egyptian woman.
Abraham’s Oath to Abimelech
22At that time, King Abimelech and Phicol, # 21:22 Phicol means “strong.” his army commander, came to Abraham and said, “It is obvious that God is with you and blesses everything you do. # 21:22 It was not simply the wealth of Abraham that impressed them; it was also the supernatural healings that took place when Abraham prayed. 23Now swear to me here before God that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants, but as I have shown you loyal friendship, so you will treat me—and the land in which you live as a foreigner—with loyal friendship.”
24“I give you my oath,” Abraham answered.
25But Abraham voiced a complaint about a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized by force. 26Abimelech responded, “This is the first time I’ve heard about this; you never told me before now. I don’t know who has done this.” 27So Abraham took sheep and cattle, gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.
28Then Abraham set apart from his flock seven ewe lambs, 29and Abimelech asked him, “What are you doing with these seven ewe lambs you have set apart?”
30He replied, “I am giving them to you, and by accepting these seven ewe lambs, you acknowledge the proof that I dug this well and it belongs to me.” 31That place was called Beersheba, # 21:31 Beersheba can be translated either “well of seven [lambs]” or “well of the oath.” because it was there that both men swore an oath to one another.
32After completing their pact at Beersheba, King Abimelech and Phicol, his army commander, departed and returned to Philistine country. 33Abraham planted a tamarisk tree # 21:33 A tamarisk tree is a type of evergreen that can grow up to fifty feet. Abraham did not plant the tamarisk tree for landscaping; it was a statement proclaiming his faith. Planting the tree revealed Abraham’s faith and endurance until the time of fruitfulness (see Isa. 65:21–22). in Beersheba, and there he worshiped Yahweh, the everlasting God. # 21:33 Or “El Olam,” which means “God Eternal,” “the Hidden God,” or “the Always God” (see Ps. 90:2). This name proclaims that God is God over Eternity and God over eternal things. Abraham’s heart and focus were turning to the God of Eternity. The things of the earth were growing meaningless to him (see 1 John 2:15–17). El Olam was preparing Abraham to yield his greatest treasure, his son. Only one whose heart is fixed on eternity can ever make sacrifices pleasing to God (see Rom. 12:1; Heb. 13:16). When we see the Eternal One, we can let go of temporary things. Abraham touched eternal life as he dwelt by the tamarisk tree and the well. This was his true preparation for giving up Isaac. 34And Abraham lived many years in peace as a foreigner in Philistine country.
Currently Selected:
Genesis 21: TPT
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
The Passion Translation® is a registered trademark of Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc.
Learn More About The Passion TranslationGenesis 21
21
1And the Lord-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) visited Sarah [Princess] as he had said, and the Lord-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate) did unto Sarah [Princess] as he had spoken.
2For Sarah [Princess] conceived, and bore Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] a son in his old age, at the set time of which God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] had spoken to him.
3And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah [Princess] bore to him, Yitz’chak [Laughter].
4And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] circumcised his son Yitz’chak [Laughter] being eight days old, as God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] had commanded him.
5And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] was an hundred years old, when his son Yitz’chak [Laughter] was born unto him.
6And Sarah [Princess] said, God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] has made me to laugh, [so that] all that hear will laugh with me.
7And she said, Who would have said unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], that Sarah [Princess] should have given children suck? for I have born [him] a son in his old age.
8And the child grew, and was weaned: and Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] made a great feast the [same] day that Yitz’chak [Laughter] was weaned.
9And Sarah [Princess] saw the son of Hagar (Flight) the Mitzrayimot (People of the Black Land), which she had born unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], mocking.
10For what reason she said unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, [even] with Yitz’chak [Laughter].
11And the thing was very grievous in Avraham’s [exalted father/Fly They Will] sight because of his son.
12And God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] said unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], Let it not be grievous in youri sight because of the boy, and because of youri bondwoman; in all that Sarah [Princess] has said unto youi, hearken unto her voice; for in Yitz’chak [Laughter] shall youri seed be called.
13And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he [is] youri seed.
14And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Be’er-Sheva (well of the sevenfold oath).
15And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16And she went, and sat her down over against [him] a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against [him], and lifted up her voice, and wept.
17And God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] called to Hagar (Flight) out of heaven, and said unto her, What ails youi, Hagar (Flight)? fear not; for God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] has heard the voice of the boy where he [is].
18Arise, lift up the boy, and hold him in youri hand; for I will make him a great nation.
19And God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the boy drink.
20And God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] was with the boy; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
21And he dwelt in the wilderness of Pa’ran [place of caverns] (place of caves): and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Mitzrayim [Egypt].
22And it came to pass at that time, that Avi-melekh (my father is king) and Pikhol (mouth of all) the chief captain of his host spoke unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], saying, God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered]is with youi in all that youi do.
23Now therefore swear unto me here by God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered] that youi will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: [but] according to the kindness that I have done unto youi, youi shall do unto me, and to the land wherein youi have detained (held).
24And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] said, I will swear.
25And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] reproved Avi-melekh (my father is king) because of a well of water, which Avi-melekh’s (my father is king) servants had violently taken away.
26And Avi-melekh (my father is king) said, I do not know who has done this thing: neither did youi tell me, neither yet heard I [of it], but to day.
27And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Avi-melekh (my father is king); and both of them made a covenant.
28And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29And Avi-melekh (my father is king) said unto Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will], What [mean] these seven ewe lambs which youi hast set by themselves?
30And he said, For [these] seven ewe lambs shall youi take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have dug this well.
31For what reason he called that place Be’er-Sheva (well of the sevenfold oath); because there they swore both of them.
32In the following manner they made a covenant at Be’er-Sheva (well of the sevenfold oath): then Avi-melekh (my father is king) rose up, and Pikhol (mouth of all) the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the P’lishtim (wanderers).
33And [Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will]] planted a grove in Be’er-Sheva (well of the sevenfold oath), and called there on the name of the Lord-Yehōvah (Messiah Pre-Incarnate), the everlasting God-Elōhīm [The Living Word - The Many Powered].
34And Avraham [exalted father/Fly They Will] detained (held) in the P’lishtim’ (wanderers) land many days.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Text copyright © 2000-2018 TOV Rose
For more information about the NMV, details about why the names of God are notated and translated as they are, or to learn about the special markings and translations used in this text, click below.
Follow the instructions and you will receive the free e-book by email.