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
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
And Sarah said, —the spiritual elevation of her soul being indicated by the poetical form of her speech. Differing from Mary's magnificat in having been uttered after, and not before, the birth of the promised seed, the anthem of Sarah was obviously designed as a prelude to that loftier song of the Virgin (cf. Luke 1:46 ). It consists of two sentences, the first containing two, and the second three lines— God hath made me to laugh. Or, retaining the order of the Hebrew, To laugh hath... read more
- 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
Genesis 21:1. The Lord visited Sarah That is, was present with her in his mercy, power, and faithfulness, to perform his gracious promise of giving her a child. read more
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
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
Genesis 21:6. Sarah said, God has made me to laugh Not through diffidence and irreverence, as my own distrustful heart before made me to laugh; but through excess of holy joy. He hath given me both cause and a heart to rejoice. And it adds to the comfort of any mercy to have our friends rejoice with us in it, Luke 1:58. They that hear will laugh with me Will rejoice in this instance of God’s power and goodness; and be encouraged to trust in him. read more
Birth of Isaac (21:1-21)When Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as commanded. In this way he demonstrated that Isaac was heir to God’s covenant promises (21:1-7; cf. 17:9-14).Ishmael made fun of the covenant family, as Sarah had feared. Being the son of a slave-girl, Ishmael had the right to inherit some of Abraham’s wealth, but he could surrender this right in exchange for the freedom of himself and his mother. Sarah, determined that her son should be the sole heir, tried to persuade... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
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