Keraia
Genesis 21

Genesis 21:16

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

Translations

Modern
Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept.
Traditional
And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
Literal
And she went and sat down by herself opposite him, as distance of the shot of a bow, for she said, “Do not let me see the death of the boy.” And she sat opposite him and lifted up her voice and wept.
Latin
Et abiit, seditque e regione procul quantum potest arcus jacere: dixit enim: Non videbo morientem puerum: et sedens contra, levavit vocem suam et flevit.

Interlinear

Hebrew
English
Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept.

Notes

Genesis 21:16

a bowshot away: This means the distance an arrow can travel when someone shoots a bow. The phrase connects with Ishmael’s future work as an archer (21:20).

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Beer-Sheba: Wilderness of, Hagar Miraculously Sees a Well In Bow: A Weapon Despondency: Hagar, when Cast out of the Household of Abraham on Account of the Jealousy of Sarah Ishmael: Son of Abraham: Sent Away by Abraham Merciful Parents: Parental Affection Exemplified by Hagar Polygamy: Domestic Unhappiness in Abraham's Family Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar