Genesis 21

This chapter details the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-7), the weaning feast, and the mockery of Ishmael (Genesis 21:8-10), the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael from Abraham's household (Genesis 21:11-14), the destitution and heavenly rescue of the exiles at Beersheba (Genesis 21:15-21), and the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham (Genesis 21:23-34). The narrative here is closely synchronized with the preceding chapters, and fully in harmony with all that was previously revealed in them. The previous chapter (Genesis 20), which recounted Abraham's first encounter with Abimelech, was a necessary prelude to this, because it shows how Abraham and his company were amicably settled in southern Canaan, which for many years to come was destined to be Abraham's permanent base of operations. Isaac was born there (either in Gerar or Beersheba), grew into manhood there, and long continued to enjoy peaceful occupancy of that "No man's land" between southern Philistia and Egypt, territory claimed by the Philistines, but for a long period under the control of their friendly ally Abraham.