Keraia
Genesis 21

Genesis 21:14

Sarah Turns against Hagar · Genesis 21:9–21
Read Genesis 21

Translations

Modern
Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.
Traditional
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer–sheba.
Literal
And Abraham rose early in the morning, and he took bread and a skin of water, and he gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and the boy; and he sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
Latin
Surrexit itaque Abraham mane, et tollens panem et utrem aquæ, imposuit scapulæ ejus, tradiditque puerum, et dimisit eam. Quæ cum abiisset, errabat in solitudine Bersabee.

Original

Hebrew
English
Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.

Notes

Genesis 21:14–21

God rescued Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness and promised them a future (compare 16:7–14). This passage is like chapter 16, but there are key differences. God saves Hagar and Ishmael, but there is no special naming. God repeats the promise to Hagar, but she is not told to return to Sarah.

These repeated themes show God's plan for Hagar and Ishmael. As Joseph later explained to Pharaoh, a repeated event confirms God's plan (41:32). God did not leave Hagar and Ishmael alone. He met them in their time of despair (compare 16:7). He gave them what they needed and promised again that Ishmael would start a great nation (21:13; see 16:11–12).

Paul uses this story in his letter to the Galatians to show that God’s people must let go of anything that could block God’s promise from being fulfilled (Galatians 4:21–31).

Genesis 21:8–21

God used the incident of Ishmael’s mocking Isaac to separate Ishmael and Hagar from the family and the child of promise. They would constantly threaten the promised descendant if they remained with the family.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Hagar Ishmael Symbolic Numbers

Parallels

Galatians 4:21–30

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Hagar: Sarah's Egyptian maidservant; mother of Ishmael

Places

Beersheba: Important city in southern Israel, associated with the patriarchs

Glossary

Abraham Angel Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Goat Hagar Leather Patriarchs, Period of the Primogeniture Wilderness

Topics

Abraham: Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away Beer-Sheba: Wilderness of, Hagar Miraculously Sees a Well In Bottle: General Scriptures Concerning Bottles used for Holding: Water Bottles: First Mention of, in Scripture Bread: The Principal Food Used by the Ancients Children: Alienated, Ishmael, to Gratify Sarah Children: Illegitimate: had No Inheritance Children: Power of Parents Over, During the Patriarchal Age Concubinage: Laws Concerning: Concubines Might be Dismissed Cruelty of Sarah to Hagar Deserts: Beersheba Ishmael: Son of Abraham: Sent Away by Abraham Patriarchal Government: Exercised in Arbitrarily Disinheriting and Putting Away Servants Polygamy: Domestic Unhappiness in Abraham's Family Rising: Abraham Sarah: Also Called Sarai: Her Jealousy of Hagar The Diet of the Jews: Articles Used for Water Travellers: Carried with Them: Skins Filled with Water, Wine Travellers: Friends of Often Supplied Them with Provision Water: Carried in Vessels Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar