Meaning of Genesis 21
Genesis 21 is a chapter from the Old Testament in the Bible. It primarily focuses on two events: the birth of Isaac, the son of Abraham and Sarah, and the sending away of Hagar and her son, Ishmael.
Here’s a breakdown:
1. Promise Fulfilled – the Birth of Isaac (verses 1-7): Sarah, who was barren and already age 90, gives birth to a son named Isaac, as God had promised. The name “Isaac” means laughter, reflecting Sarah’s initial disbelief and laughter when God had first told her she would have a son. Both Abraham and Sarah are filled with joy at his birth.
2. Sarah Sends Away Hagar and Ishmael (verses 8-21): When Isaac grew and was weaned, Abraham held a celebration. However, Sarah saw Ishmael – the son of Abraham from Hagar, her Egyptian slave – mocking. She asked Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away as she didn’t want Ishmael to share in Isaac’s inheritance. This displeased Abraham because Ishmael was his son. But God assured Abraham, saying that His covenant would be established through Isaac, but He would also make a nation of Ishmael because he was Abraham’s offspring. Following God’s direction, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness of Beersheba with some food and water. When these ran out, Hagar, in despair, left Ishmael under a bush and sat down nearby, not wanting to see her son die. But God heard Ishmael’s crying, an angel reassured Hagar and told her about God’s promise to make Ishmael a great nation. God then opened Hagar’s eyes, showing her a well of water, saving them from dying of thirst. Ishmael grew up in the wilderness and became an archer.
3. Treaty at Beersheba (verses 22-34): Towards the end of the chapter, Abimelek (king of the Philistines) and his commander, Phicol, recognizing that God was with Abraham in all that he did, approached Abraham and asked him to swear that he wouldn’t deal falsely with them or their descendants. Abraham agreed, but also reproved Abimelek about a well that Abimelek’s servants had seized. They made a treaty at Beersheba, where Abraham set aside seven ewe lambs to affirm that he had dug the well. The place was named Beersheba, meaning “well of the oath” or “well of seven.” Abraham planted a tamarisk tree and called upon the name of the Lord.
Genesis 21 kjv
Genesis 21 is a chapter from the book of Genesis in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. Here is a basic summary of the chapter:
– Verses 1-2: God fulfilled his promise to Sarah and Abraham and Sarah conceives and gives birth to a son in their old age, who they name Isaac.
– Verses 3-7: Abraham circumcises Isaac on the eighth day as per God’s command and Sarah is joyous about her newfound motherhood. She specifically mentions that God made her laugh and all who hear her story will laugh with her.
– Verses 8-13: When Isaac grows and is weaned, Abraham hosts a great feast. During the feast, Sarah spots Ishmael, Abraham’s son by her maidservan Hagar, mocking. This infuriates Sarah who commands Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael, not wanting Ishmael to share in Isaac’s inheritance. Abraham is distressed by this because Ishmael is also his son, but God tells him to obey Sarah, assuring him that He will make Ishmael also into a great nation because he is of Abraham’s offspring.
– Verses 14-21: Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. They wander in the wilderness of Beersheba where they run out of water. Hagar, not wanting to watch her son die, distances herself. As they cry, God hears; an Angel of God appears before Hagar, reassures her about God’s promise regarding Ishmael, and shows her a well of water. Hagar and Ishmael live in the wilderness; Ishmael grows and becomes an archer, and his mother finds him a wife from the land of Egypt.
– Verses 22-34: Abraham is approached by Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, seeking a treaty as they recognizance that God is with Abraham. They swear an oath each to the other at Beersheba, and Abimelech and Phichol return to the land of the Philistines. Abraham plants a tamarisk tree and worships God. Abraham lived for a long time in the land of the Philistines.
This chapter contains important narratives in Biblical history, including the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah, the significant covenant promised by God to Abraham extending to Ishmael, and the treaty between Abraham and Abimelech.
Genesis 21 nkjv
Genesis 21 in the New King James Version is a chapter within the Bible, more specifically within the Old Testament. This chapter details significant events involving Abraham, his wife Sarah, and his son Isaac, as well as the slave-woman Hagar and her son Ishmael.
Here’s a brief overview:
1. The Birth of Isaac (Verses 1-7): God fulfills his promise by giving Abraham and Sarah a son in their old age, whom they name Isaac. This event signifies divine intervention, as both Abraham and Sarah were far past the childbearing age.
2. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away (Verses 8-21): During the feast celebrating Isaac’s weaning, Sarah observes Hagar’s son Ishmael mocking and demands that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Though reluctant, Abraham complies after God reassures him that it is okay and promises that He would care for them. Hagar and Ishmael wander in the desert of Beersheba until their water runs out. God hears their cries, provides water and promises that Ishmael will be the father of a great nation, which fulfils his promise to Abraham.
3. Treaty at Beersheba (Verses 22-34): As the chapter concludes, we see the non-Israelite king Abimelech and his commander Phicol, after recognizing that God is with Abraham, secure a peace treaty with him. Abraham gives gifts in return and they all take an oath. Abraham calls that place Beersheba and stays there, planting a tamarisk tree and invoking the name of the Lord.
This chapter continues to demonstrate God’s commitment to His promises and His unmatched faithfulness, even in situations that seem impossible from a human perspective.
Genesis 21 niv
Genesis 21 is a chapter in the Christian Bible. In the New International Version (NIV), this chapter consists of 34 verses where two main stories are recounted.
Genesis 21:1-7: This section tells the story of the birth of Isaac, Sarah, and Abraham’s promised son. Despite her old age, Sarah conceives and gives birth to a son, fulfilling God’s promise. Sarah experiences joy at bearing a child in her old age and names her son Isaac, which means “He will laugh”.
Genesis 21:8-21: This section is about Hagar and Ishmael. As Sarah sees Ishmael laughing during the feast for Isaac’s weaning, she feels threatened about the inheritance of Abraham and asks him to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Abraham feels distressed, but God assures him, saying that Ishmael, too, will be made a great nation because he is Abraham’s son. Hagar and Ishmael are sent away with some food and water. Eventually, they run out of water in the wilderness, and Hagar, not wanting to see her son dying of thirst, leaves him under a bush and goes a little distance away. But God hears the boy’s cry, reassures Hagar, opens her eyes to a well and shows that He will make Ishmael a great nation.
Genesis 21:22-34: The final section of Genesis 21 illustrates the Treaty at Beersheba. Abimelek, along with Phicol, his army’s commander, recognizes God’s blessing on Abraham and requests him to swear that he will not deal falsely with him, his children or his descendants. Abraham agrees with the condition that Abimelek return the well of water which his servants had seized. After settling the dispute over the well of Beersheba, they make a treaty. Abraham plants a tamarisk tree and calls on the eternal God. Then Abraham resided in Philistine land for a long time.
So, Genesis 21 is important because it recounts the fulfillment of God’s promise with the birth of Isaac, the assurance of God’s blessing on Ishmael, and the alliance with Abimelek.
What is Genesis 21 all about?
Genesis 21 is a chapter in the Bible from the Old Testament, focusing on the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and his wife Sarah. The chapter begins by showing God remaining faithful to His promise, as Sarah conceives and gives birth to a son named Isaac in her old age.
Next, the chapter illustrates the conflicts between Sarah and her handmaid, Hagar. After Sarah sees Ishmael, Hagar’s son and Abraham’s firstborn, mocking Isaac during a feast celebrating Isaac’s weaning, she demands that Abraham send away Hagar and Ishmael. Abraham is distressed, but God reassures him, promising that He will make a nation of Ishmael also because he is Abraham’s offspring. Hagar and Ishmael depart and experience hardship in the wilderness, but God intervenes to save them, showing his mercy and reconfirming his commitment to make Ishmael a great nation.
The latter part of Genesis 21 records an agreement made between Abraham and Abimelek, the Philistine king, ensuring mutual respect and peaceful coexistence between them and their descendants. The chapter ends with Abraham planting a grove in Beersheba and worshipping God.
In summary, Genesis 21 is about the birth of Isaac, the dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael, God’s faithfulness and care for Ishmael, and the covenant between Abraham and Abimelek.
What does Genesis 21 teaches?
Genesis 21, a book from the Bible, teaches multiple lessons through different narratives focusing on faith, promises and obedience.
1. Fulfillment of God’s Promise: Genesis 21 starts with the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah, stating that they would have a son despite their old age. This teaches that God is faithful to his promises, no matter how impossible they may seem.
2. Joy and Gratitude: With the birth of Isaac, Abraham and Sarah express joy and gratitude. This shows the right response to blessings – rejoicing, offering thanks to God, and sharing the joy with others.
3. Obedience to God: The chapter also narrates the story of Hagar and Ishmael being sent away. Although this was a difficult task for Abraham due to his love for his son Ishmael, he obeyed God’s commands. This teaches obedience to God, even when the command might cause personal pain.
4. God’s Protection and Provision: After Hagar and her son were sent off into the desert, God heard their cries. An angel of the Lord showed her a well where she could get water to save her dying son. This story highlights that God cares for all of His creation and He make provision for those in need.
5. Treaties and Compromises: The latter part of the chapter narrates a treaty between Abraham and Abimelek, stressing peaceful co-existence and respect for agreements and pacts.
So, in conclusion, Genesis 21 teaches about God’s faithfulness, the importance of obedience, joy and gratitude in blessings, God’s provision and the importance of peaceful coexistence and respect for agreements.
A Sermon on Genesis 21
Genesis 21 is a significant chapter in the Bible as it details important events in the lives of Abraham, Sarah, and their children; Isaac and Ishmael.
The chapter begins with God fulfilling his promise to Abraham and Sarah by giving them a son, Isaac, in their oldage. This is a celebration of God’s faithfulness to His promises, even when it seemed impossible. Abraham circumcised Isaac at eight days old, according to God’s command, showing Abraham’s obedience to God.
Abraham and Sarah had previously tried to fulfill God’s promise on their own by having Abraham conceive a child, Ishmael, with Sarah’s maidservant, Hagar. This caused a lot of conflict in the family, especially when Sarah saw Ishmael teasing Isaac at a feast in honor of Isaac’s weaning. Sarah then demands of Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Sarah’s suggestion seems harsh and unfair, but God reassures Abraham to listen to Sarah, promising to make Ishmael also a great nation, thus showing His mercy and justice.
Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away in the desert, and they almost died of thirst when their water runs out. But God heard the cry of Ishmael, and His angel calls to Hagar, opening her eyes to see a well of water. This reflects God’s compassion and care for those in need, regardless of their status or circumstance.
The chapter concludes with a treaty between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, in which Abraham claims rights to a well he had dug. This marks Abraham’s growing status and respect among others— acquired not by force or deceit but by his character attractiveness and undeniable evidence of divine blessing upon him.
To sum up, a sermon on Genesis 21 might underline the themes of God’s faithfulness to His promises, His justice and mercy, and His care for all people. It might emphasize the importance of depending on God’s timing rather than trying to fulfill His promises in our own capabilities and timing. It might draw the parallels between God providing a son for Abraham and Sarah and His provision of Jesus, His son, as a sacrifice for us. And finally, it might encourage listeners to live lives of integrity and faith, confident in God’s care for them.
Key people in Genesis 21
Genesis 21 is a critical chapter in the Bible and revolves around three main people:
1. Abraham: He is the central figure. God had promised him that he would be the father of a great nation, and in this chapter, he and his wife, Sarah, have a son named Isaac.
2. Sarah: She is Abraham’s wife. Sarah struggled with infertility for many years, but in Genesis 21, God fulfills his promise to her by letting her conceive and give birth to a son, Isaac, in her old age. Sarah becomes bitter when Hagar’s son Ishmael mocks her son and requests Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael.
3. Isaac: He is the son promised by God to Abraham and Sarah. Although he doesn’t play an active role in this chapter, his birth is significant because it shows God fulfilling His promises.
Additionally, there are two secondary but still crucial figures:
4. Hagar: She is the maidservant of Sarah and the mother of Abraham’s first child, Ishmael. Sarah gets jealous of Hagar and Ishmael, leading to Abraham sending them away. In the wilderness, God hears Hagar’s cries, saves them and makes a promise that Ishmael will also be a great nation.
5. Ishmael: He is Abraham’s first son through Hagar. His mocking of Isaac is the cause of Sarah’s insistence that Abraham banish Hagar and their son Ishmael from their home. In the wilderness, when they are about to die, God rescues them and reiterates his promise to make Ishmael into a great nation.
Real world examples on Genesis 21
Genesis 21 is a chapter situated in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible and the Torah of Judaism. It predominantly covers the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s son by his wife Sarah, and the dismissal of Hagar and her son Ishmael, Abraham’s son by his servant Hagar.
Real world examples or lessons can be drawn from this chapter:
1. Promise Fulfilled: The birth of Isaac to the elderly Sarah and Abraham can be related to situations where people are waiting for promises or hoped-for situations to be fulfilled. This section of Genesis 21 shows that even when a promising situation appears impossible, it can still come to pass.
2. Favoritism and Rivalries within families: The dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael can be compared to real-world instances of rivalry, competition, or favoritism within families, potentially leading to separation or familial discord.
3. Conflict and Resolution: The quarreling between Abraham and Abimelech over a well at Beersheba can be seen analogous to conflicts over resources in society today. The resolution which comes about through mutual agreement and understanding reflects the need for diplomacy and negotiation in resolving conflicts.
4. Dependence on Divine Help: When Hagar and Ishmael are sent away and find themselves in a dire situation in the desert, their survival is attributed to divine intervention. This can be paralleled to real-world examples where individuals or communities in dire situations find hope and assistance in their faith or belief in a higher power.
It’s important to remember that the Bible is often interpreted through a variety of perspectives, faith backgrounds, and life experiences. The real-world examples derived from any particular passage can thus vary significantly based on the interpreter’s ethos and context.
Brief Explanation of Genesis 21
Genesis 21 is a chapter in the Bible’s Old Testament. This chapter focuses primarily on the birth of Isaac, Abraham’s son with his wife Sarah, and God’s fulfillment of His promise to the elderly couple. Sarah gives birth even in her old age, as God had promised. After Isaac’s birth, Sarah notices tension between her son, Isaac, and Abraham’s other son, Ishmael (who was born to Sarah’s handmaid Hagar). This results in Sarah asking Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.
With a heavy heart, Abraham does so, but God comforts him by telling him not to worry, He will make a great nation out of Ishmael because he is Abraham’s seed. They are sent out into the desert where Hagar, distressed and thirsty, believes they will die. However, God saves them, provides a well of water, and affirms His promise for Ishmael.
The chapter ends with Abraham making a treaty with Abimelech, a Philistine king, regarding a well that Abraham dug, which Abimelech’s servants had seized. They swear an oath of mutual non-aggression, and Abraham gives him sheep and oxen as a sign of the covenant. They name the well Beersheba, and Abraham plants a tamarisk tree there, calling upon God.
Frequently asked questions for Genesis 21
As an AI, I can’t predict precise frequently asked questions but I can give you a sense of the sort of questions that often come up when people study Genesis 21 in the Bible:
1. Who is the son that God promised to Abraham and Sarah?
In Genesis 21, it is made clear that the son of promise God gave to Sarah and Abraham is Isaac. Despite their age, they were able to have a son because God fulfilled His promise.
2. Why was Hagar and her son sent away?
In verse 10, Sarah saw Ishmael mocking Isaac during a feast. Feeling threatened that Ishmael might share in Isaac’s inheritance, Sarah demanded Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. Although hesitant, Abraham did as he was told because God told him to heed Sarah’s words.
3. Does God also make a promise to Hagar and Ishmael?
Yes, after they were sent away, God promises Hagar in verse 18 that He will make a great nation of Ishmael because he is also Abraham’s offspring.
4. Why does Abraham make a covenant with Abimelech?
Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech, the Philistine king, to acknowledge that the well of water he dug was his. Both agreed to treat each other fairly and kindly. This was done as Abraham wanted to secure his rights and also establish a peaceful relationship with Abimelech and his people.
5. What is the significance of the name Beersheba?
The name Beersheba can be translated to “well of oath” or “well of seven.” Abraham named the place Beersheba, as there they both sworn an oath. This marks the covenant with Abimelech and symbolizes the peaceful relationship between their descendants.
6. How does Genesis 21 demonstrate God’s faithfulness?
This chapter illustrates God’s faithfulness by highlighting the fulfillment of His promise to Sarah and Abraham about giving them a son despite their old age. It also shows this in His guidance and protection for Hagar and Ishmael after their departure from Abraham’s household.
These are general questions and may vary based on the individual’s perspective and interpretation of the scriptures.
Possible References for Genesis 21
Genesis 21 is a chapter in the Christian Bible and Jewish Torah. Here are the key events it addresses:
1. Birth of Isaac: Genesis 21 starts with the fulfilment of God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah with the birth of their child, Isaac. This was a miraculous event as both were quite elderly; Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90. “Genesis 21:3” specifically refers to the verse where Abraham named the son who Sarah bore him, Isaac.
2. Feast of Weaning: This passage covers Isaac’s growth and the great feast Abraham threw when Isaac was weaned. It’s a significant event, marking Isaac’s transition from infancy to childhood.
3. Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away: Sarah sees Ishmael, son of Abraham and his slave woman Hagar, mocking during the festivities and asks Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. This leads to tension and conflict, but Abraham accedes to Sarah’s demand after God’s reassurance.
4. God’s Promise to Hagar: In the Wilderness of Beersheba, Hagar cries out to God when she and her son run out of water. God saves them and reassures Hagar that He will make Ishmael a great nation because he is Abraham’s seed.
5. Treaty at Beersheba: The chapter ends with a treaty between Abraham and Abimelech (and his chief officer, Phicol) at Beersheba, after Abraham rebukes Abimelech regarding a well.
Each verse in this chapter can be referred to by “Genesis 21:X”, where X is the verse number. The chapter serves to advance the narrative of the descendants of Abraham, validate God’s promises, and set up further events in the Bible.
Conclusion on Genesis 21
As a helpful assistant, I’m here to summarize and explain the conclusion of Genesis 21 from the Bible.
Genesis 21 centers around two main events: the birth of Isaac to Sarah and Abraham, and Hagar and her son, Ishmael’s departure from their household.
The conclusion found in Genesis 21:22-34 sees Abraham residing in the land of the Philistines, where Abimelech and Phicol (Abimelech’s chief military officer) ask Abraham to swear that he will not deal falsely with them. They recognized God’s blessing on Abraham and want to ensure peace between them. Abraham agrees, but raises a dispute about a well that his servants dug, which the servants of Abimelech seized. The well dispute was peacefully settled by making a covenant, after which Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called upon the name of the Lord. The chapter finishes with Abraham living for a long time in the land of the Philistines.
In a spiritual sense, these concluding verses reflect on the importance of living in peace with one’s neighbors and settling disputes in a fair and just manner. The planting of the tree also signifies laying roots and establishing a presence, and calling upon the name of God indicates Abraham’s continued faith and devotion to God.