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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:5

Verse 5 5.And Abraham was an hundred years old. Moses again records the age of Abraham the better to excite the minds of his readers to a consideration of the miracle. And although mention is made only of Abraham, let us yet remember that he is, in this place, set before us, not as a man of lust, but as the husband of Sarah, who has obtained, through her, a lawful seed, in extreme old age, when the strength of both had failed. For the power of God was chiefly conspicuous in this, that when... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:1-8

The son of promise, or a young child's biography. I. THE BIRTH OF ISAAC 1. A surprising phenomenon . "Who would have said that Sarah should have suckled sons?" " Motherhood at ninety was certainly unusual, especially when conjoined with paternity at a hundred. In a world presided over by a personal Deity there must always be room for surprises. 2. A miraculous production . That the conception and birth of Isaac were due to Divine interposition—that in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:1-8

Birth, circumcision and weaning of Isaac. Here, is— I. THE FAITIIFULNESS OF JEHOVAH . "As he had spoken. At the set time." "God hath made me to laugh." II. THE FAITH OF HIS SERVANT , which was evidenced in waiting, hoping, naming the son born unto him, obeying the commandment. III. THE GIFT of God was THE REVELATION of God: his love, his power, his purpose, his patience. IV. Taken TYPICALLY , the foreshadowing of the miraculous conception, the kingdom of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:2

For Sarah conceived ,—through faith receiving strength from God for that purpose ( Hebrews 11:11 ); the fruit of the womb, in every instance God's handiwork ( Isaiah 44:2 ), being in her case a special gift of grace and product of Divine power— and bare— the usual construction ( Genesis 29:32 ; Genesis 30:5 ) is here somewhat modified by the Jehovist (Kalisch); but the clause may be compared with Genesis 30:22 , Genesis 30:23 , commonly assigned to the Elohlst— Abraham ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:3

And Abraham called the name of his son —the naming of a child by its father is, according to partitionists, a peculiarity of the Elohist as distinguished from the Jehovist, who assigns that function to the mother; but vide Genesis 16:15 — that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him (the latter clause being added to distinguish him from Hagar's child), Isaac— laughter; the name appointed for him by God before his birth ( Genesis 17:19 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:4

And Abraham circumcised ( vide on Genesis 17:11 , and note at the end of that chapter) his son Isaac being eight days old (literally, a son of eight days ) , as (not only because, but in the manner in which) God had commanded him. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:5

And Abraham was an hundred years old (cf. Genesis 17:1 , Genesis 17:17 ), when his son Isaac was born unto him . Literally, at the time of bearing to him (ἐν τῷ τεκεῖν) Isaac . Thus Abraham had waited twenty-five years for the fulfillment of the promise—a remarkable instance of faith and patience ( Romans 4:20 ), as Isaac's birth was a signal display of Divine power ( Romans 4:17 ; Hebrews 11:12 ). Whether Isaac was born at Gerar or at Beersheba cannot with certitude be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 21:1-34

- The Birth of Isaac7. מלל mı̂lēl “speak,” an ancient and therefore solemn and poetical word.14. חמת chêmet “bottle,” akin to חמה chāmâh, “surround, enclose,” and הוּם chûm “black. באר שׁבע beêr-sheba‛, Beer-sheba‘, “well of seven.”22. פיכל pı̂ykol, Pikhol, “mouth or spokesman of all.”23. נין nı̂yn “offspring, kin;” related: “sprout, flourish.” נכד neked “progeny,” perhaps “acquaintance,” cognate with נגד ngd, “be before” (the eyes) and נקד nqd, “mark.”33. אשׁל 'êshel “grove;” ἄρουρα... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 21:2

Genesis 21:2. Sarah conceived By faith Sarah received strength, (Hebrews 11:11,) to conceive seed, God, according to his promise, giving that strength. Abraham was old, and Sarah old, and both as good as dead, and then the promise took place. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 21:4

Genesis 21:4. He circumcised his son The covenant being established with him, the seal of the covenant, according to God’s command, was administered to him. read more

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