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The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:5
And Abraham was an hundred years old (cf. Genesis 17:1, Genesis 17:17), when his son Isaac was born unto him. Literally, at the time of bearing to him (ἐν τῷ τεκεῖν) Isaac. Thus Abraham had waited twenty-five years…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:6
And Sarah said,—the spiritual elevation of her soul being indicated by the poetical form of her speech. Differing from Mary's magnificat in having been uttered after, and not before, the birth of the promised seed, the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:7
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham,— מִלֶּל, the poetic word for דּבֵּר, is introduced by מִי in order to express astonishment; the meaning being that what had happened was altogether out of the ordinary cou…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:8-21
The separation of the bondwoman's so, from the promised seed. It was necessary that this should take place for the accomplishment of the Divine plan. Human conduct is employed, as in so many other cases, as the instrume…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:8
And the child grew,—καὶ ἠυξήθη τὸ παιδίον (LXX.): imitated by Luke concerning Christ: τὸ παιδίον ηὔξανε (Luke 2:40)—and was weaned. The verb gamal originally signifies to do good to any one, to do completely; h…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 21:9-13
Let us not overlook the manner in which this family matter instructs us not to rest in outward privileges, or in our own doings. And let us seek the blessings of the new covenant by faith in its Divine Surety. Ishmael's…
Hagar and Ishmael Expelled. (b. c. 1892.)
HAGAR AND ISHMAEL EXPELLED. (B. C. 1892.) The casting out of Ishmael is here considered of, and resolved on. I. Ishmael himself gave the occasion by some affronts he gave to Isaac his little brother, some think on the d…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:9
And Sarah saw—at the feast already mentioned (Knobel, Keil); probably also on different occasions since the birth of Isaac—the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Παίζοντα μετὰ Ισαὰκ…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:9-14
The expulsion of Ishmael. I. THE CAUSE. 1. The persecution of Isaac. "Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian mocking." That this was no mere sportive pleasantry may be inferred from the deep feeling it aroused in Sarah…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:9-14
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:10
Wherefore she said—though with an admixture of sinful feelings, non dubito arcane Spiritus instinctu gubernatam fuisse ejus linguam et mentem (Calvin); vide Galatians 4:30—unto Abraham, Cast out—by some kind of legal ac…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:11
And the thing (literally, the word, i.e. Sarah's proposal) was very grievous (literally, evil exceedingly; for the contrary phrase vide Genesis 20:15) in Abraham's sight (literally, in the eyes of Abraham) because of hi…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:12
And God said unto Abraham,—probably in a dream, or night vision (vide Genesis 21:14)—Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman;—who was never recognized by God as Abraham's wif…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:13
And also of the son of the bond-woman will I make a nation. Literally, to nation I will set or put him; a promise already given (Genesis 17:20), but here repeated to render Ishmael's dismissal easier. Because he is thy…
Matthew Henry on Genesis 21:14-21
If Hagar and Ishmael had behaved well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they were justly punished. By abusing privileges, we forfeit them. Those who know not when they are well off, will be made…
God's Mercy to Hagar and Ishmael. (b. c. 1892.)
GOD'S MERCY TO HAGAR AND ISHMAEL. (B. C. 1892.) Here is, I. The casting out of the bond-woman, and her son from the family of Abraham, Genesis 21:14. Abraham's obedience to the divine command in this matter was speedy—e…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:14
And Abraham rose up early in the morning,—hastening to put in force the Divine instructions (cf. Genesis 19:27; Genesis 22:8, Abraham; Genesis 20:8, Abimelech; Genesis 28:18, Jacob)—and took bread, and a bottle of water…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:15
And the water was spent in (literally, from) the bottle,—so that the wanderers became exhausted, and were in danger of fainting through thirst—and she cast the child—a translation which certainly conveys an erroneous im…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:15-21
EXPOSITION
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:15-21
Hagar and Ishmael, or the fortunes of the outcasts. I. THE LONELY WANDERERS. 1. Banished from home. Hitherto the household of Abraham had been to Hagar and her boy such a pleasant and doubtless much-prized abode; hencef…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:16
And she went, and sat her down— וַתֵּשֶׁב לָהּ, the pronoun being added to the verb, as an ethical dative, to indicate that the action was of special importance to her, meaning, "she, for herself, or for her part, sat d…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:17
And God—Elohim; Hagar and Ishmael having now been removed from the care and superintendence of the covenant God to the guidance and providence of God the ruler of all nations (Keil)—heard the voice of the lad;—praying (…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:17-19
God's appearance to Hagar. The greatest truths in the Bible put before us in a setting of human interest and feeling. Our hearts strangely touched by the picture of the desolate woman and the helpless child. The fatherl…
The Pulpit Commentary on Genesis 21:17
Hagar, a weary outcast. "What aileth thee, Hagar?" Hagar is sent away from Abraham's tents. In the wilderness wandering she is lost. In despair she sinks down and weeps. An angel's voice is heard inquiring, "What aileth…