GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:1 In fulfillment of God’s promise, Sarah bears Abraham a son, who is named Isaac. While Isaac takes priority over Ishmael, God does not abandon Hagar and her son. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:3 ISAAC. God had announced the name to Abraham in Genesis 17:19 (see note). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:4 ISAAC is CIRCUMCISED by ABRAHAM, fulfilling God’s instructions in Genesis 17:12. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:8 Isaac was probably two or three years old when he was WEANED. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:9 The Hebrew verb translated LAUGHING can mean either “mocking” or “playing.” Here, it probably means “mocking.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:12 THROUGH ISAAC SHALL YOUR OFFSPRING BE NAMED. Even though Ishmael is older than Isaac, God confirms that Isaac will take priority over Ishmael (see Genesis 17:19). The importance of this is explained in Romans 9:7 and Hebrews 11:18. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:14 PUTTING IT ON HER SHOULDER, ALONG WITH THE CHILD. While these words might suggest that Ishmael was placed on Hagar’s shoulder, this is hardly likely, since Ishmael is about 16 years old (see Genesis 16:16; Genesis 21:5, Genesis 21:8). Abraham gave Ishmael to Hagar, prob... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:17 God’s intervention saves HAGAR and confirms to her that her son will become a GREAT NATION, echoing the promise given to Abraham in v. Genesis 21:13. GOD HEARD... THE BOY (v. Genesis 21:17). “Ishmael” means “God hears” (see Genesis 16:11). ⇐... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:21 WILDERNESS OF PARAN. The central region in northern Sinai. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:22 GOD IS WITH YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO. Abimelech attributes Abraham’s success to God. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:25 Before sealing the treaty, Abraham raises the controversial issue of ownership of a WELL. The COVENANT or treaty was designed to prevent conflict between the two parties. The gift of SEVEN EWE LAMBS to Abimelech confirms Abraham’s ownership of the well. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var image... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:31 In light of Abraham’s gift to Abimelech, the name BEERSHEBA probably means “well of seven.” It could also mean “well of the oath,” since the Hebrew words for “seven” and “oath” are similar. Perhaps the name was chosen because it embraced both concepts. When a permanent... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:32 LAND OF THE PHILISTINES. The term “Philistines” is normally associated with non-Canaanites from the Aegean region who inhabited southwest Canaan from about 1180 B.C. onward—nearly a thousand years after Abraham’s time. In light of this, the term may have been used here... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 21:33 EVERLASTING GOD. Here the common Semitic term for “God” is followed by the attribute of everlastingness. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]