Genesis 21:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:9-13

The casting out of Ishmael is here considered of, and resolved on. I. Ishmael himself gave the occasion by some affronts he gave to Isaac his little brother, some think on the day that Abraham made the feast for joy that Isaac was safely weaned, which the Jews say was not till he was three years old, others say five. Sarah herself was an eye-witness of the abuse: she saw the son of the Egyptian mocking (Gen. 21:9), mocking Isaac, no doubt, for it is said, with reference to this (Gal. 4:29),... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:12

And God said unto Abraham ,.... Either by an articulate voice, or by an impulse on his mind, suggesting to him what he should do, being no doubt in great perplexity how to conduct between his wife and his son, but God determines the case for him, and makes him easy: let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of the bondwoman : that is, let not the motion displease thee, which Sarah has made, to turn out the bondwoman and her son; let not thine affection to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:12

In Isaac shall thy seed be called - Here God shows the propriety of attending to the counsel of Sarah; and lest Abraham, in whose eyes the thing was grievous, should feel distressed on the occasion, God renews his promises to Ishmael and his posterity. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:12

Verse 12 12.In all that Sarah hath said unto thee. I have just said that although God used the ministry of Sarah in so great a matter, it was yet possible that she might fail in her method of acting. He now commands Abraham to hearken unto his wife, not because he approves her disposition, but because he will have the work, of which he is Himself the Author, accomplished. And he thus shows that his designs are not to be subjected to any common rule, especially when the salvation of the Church... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:8-21

The separation of the bondwoman's so, from the promised seed. It was necessary that this should take place for the accomplishment of the Divine plan. Human conduct is employed, as in so many other cases, as the instrument or occasion. There was mockery or unbelief in Ishmael. It was not personal merely, but a mockery of Jehovah and of his Church. Sarah saw it. The mother's keen affections were sharpened to detect the scorn of her joy. Abraham and Sarah were both severely tried. Their lack... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:9-14

The expulsion of Ishmael. I. THE CAUSE . 1. The persecution of Isaac . "Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian mocking." That this was no mere sportive pleasantry may be inferred from the deep feeling it aroused in Sarah, the summary chastisement it brought on Ishmael, and the' severe language in which it is characterized by Paul. The emphasis laid by Sarah on the heirship suggests the probability that Ishmael's offence partook of the nature of wicked, irritating laughter at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:12

And God said unto Abraham ,—probably in a dream, or night vision ( vide Genesis 21:14 )— Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman ;—who was never recognized by God as Abraham's wife (cf. Genesis 16:8 )— in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice. Though Sarah's counsel was approved by God, it does not follow that her conduct was. On a former occasion Abraham's hearkening unto Sarah's voice had led to sin ( Genesis 16:2... 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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:1-21

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 21:12

Isaac . . . thy seed. Here ser'a is in the sing sense, because of the word "Isaac", and because of the sing verb "it shall be called. " Zer'a is a collective noun (like Eng. "sheep"), but the context must determine whether it is sing, or plural. It is to this verse Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 refers; not to Genesis 12:7 , where it is indefinite; or Genesis 17:7 where the verb and pronouns show it is plural. See note there, and on Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:16 ; and compare Romans 9:7 .... read more

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