Genesis 21:1-14

The Birth of Isaac

1 The Lord k visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did to Sarah l as he had promised. 2 And Sarah m conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age n at the time of which God had spoken to him. 3 Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, o Isaac. 1 4 And Abraham p circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, q as God had commanded him. 5 r Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 6 And Sarah said, s "God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me." 7 And she said, "Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? t Yet I have borne him a son in his old age."

God Protects Hagar and Ishmael

8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah u saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, v laughing. 2 10 So she said to Abraham, w "Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac." 11 And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for x through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make y a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring." 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of z Beersheba.

  1. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:21
    Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the young man Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.
  2. Cross References
    Genesis 17:19
    God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
    Genesis 18:10
    The Lord said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.
    Genesis 18:14
    Is anything too hard for the Lord ? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.
  3. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:11
    By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.
    Galatians 4:22
    For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman.
  4. Cross References
    Genesis 17:21
    But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 17:19
    God said, "No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 7:8
    And he gave him the covenant of circumcision. And so Abraham became the father of Isaac, and circumcised him on the eighth day, and Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.
  7. Cross References
    Genesis 17:10
    This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.
    Genesis 17:12
    He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring.
  8. Cross References
    Genesis 17:1
    When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless.
    Genesis 17:17
    Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, "Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?
    Romans 4:19
    He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb.
  9. Cross References
    Isaiah 54:1
    Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married," says the Lord.
    Galatians 4:27
    For it is written, "Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.
  10. Cross References
    Genesis 18:11 - 12
    Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.
  11. Cross References
    Genesis 16:1
    Now Sarai, Abram's wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar.
    Genesis 16:15
    And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
  12. Cross References
    Galatians 4:29
    But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
  13. Cross References
    Galatians 4:30
    But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.
  14. Cross References
    Romans 9:7
    And not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.
    Hebrews 11:18
    Of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 21:18
    Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.
    Genesis 16:10
    The angel of the Lord also said to her, "I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.
    Genesis 17:20
    As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.
  16. Cross References
    Genesis 21:31
    Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.