Genesis 21:2 - Exposition

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 (literally, to Abraham ) a son in his old age,— literally, to his old age ; εἰς τὸ γῆρας ( LXX .)— at the set time ( vide Genesis 17:21 ; Genesis 18:10 , Genesis 18:14 ) of which God had spoken to him. God's word gave Abraham strength to beget, Sarah to conceive, and Isaac to come forth. Three times repeated in two verses, the clause points to the supernatural character of Isaac's birth.