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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:1-8

Few under the Old Testament were brought into the world with such expectation as Isaac was, not for the sake of any great person eminence at which he was to arrive, but because he was to be, in this very thing, a type of Christ, that seed which the holy God had so long promised and holy men so long expected. In this account of the first days of Isaac we may observe, I. The fulfilling of God's promise in the conception and birth of Isaac, Gen. 21:1, 2. Note, God's providences look best and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:2

For Sarah conceived ,.... This explains what is meant by the Lord's visiting her, and doing to her according to his word, see Hebrews 11:11 , and bare Abraham a son in his old age ; which circumstance is remarked, that the favour might appear the greater, and the more wonderful; or, "unto", or "for his old age" F14 לזקניו "pro senectute ejus", Vatablus; "senectuti ejus", Junius & Tremellius. , for the comfort of him in his old age, who having lived so many years under the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:2

Verse 2 2.She bare Abraham a son. This is said according to the accustomed manner of speaking; because the woman is neither the head of a family, nor brings forth properly for herself, but for her husband. What follows, however, is more worthy of notice, In his old age, at the set time, which God had predicted: for the old age of Abraham does, not a little, illustrate the glory of the miracle. And now Moses, for the third time, recalls us to the word of God, that the constancy of his truth may... 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

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

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 21:2

set time = exact time. God. Hebrew. Elohim. Note change of title here, till Genesis 21:32 , because it is Creator and creature. In Genesis 21:33 , Jehovah, where it is Covenant relation. In Mary's song both titles united (Luke 1:46 , Luke 1:47 and compare verses: Gen 21:37 , Gen 21:38 ). read more

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