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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 21:3

And Abraham called the name of his son that was borne unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac. Which is the name he was directed to give him, Genesis 17:19 ; and he remembers the order, and is obedient to it; the reason of which name, which signifies laughter, was on account of his laughing for joy at the promise made him, as well as there might be afterwards a further reason for it, from Sarah's laughing through distrust; and it might presignify the joy and laughter that would be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:3

Isaac - See the reason and interpretation of this name in the note on Genesis 17:7 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:3

Verse 3 3.And Abraham called the name. Moses does not mean that Abraham was the inventor of the name; but that he adhered to the name which before had been given by the angel. This act of obedience, however, was worthy of commendation, since he not only ratified the word of God, but also executed his office as God’s minister. For, as a herald, he proclaimed to all, that which the angel had committed to his trust. 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 21:3

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

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 21:3

Isaac. Hebrew. Let him laugh. Compare Genesis 17:17 ; Genesis 18:12 , Genesis 18:13 , Genesis 18:15 ; Genesis 21:6 , Genesis 21:9 ; Genesis 26:8 . read more

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