Genesis 21

1 as He had said. See xvii. 19. and for comment on the faith of Sarah, Heb. xi. 11.

6 will laugh. An allusion to Isaac’s name: literally, “God hath prepared laughter for me” (R.V. marg.). Abraham’s surprise (xvii. 17) and Sarah’s incredulity (xviii. 12) give place to the laughter of satisfaction and sympathy, interrupted by the “mocking laugh” of the youthful scoffer (ver. 9), who probably counted on being able by his superior age and strength to regain the preeminence which he had now lost.

14 bottle. Formed of a kid-skin, the legs of which met over the shoulder of the bearer.

and the child. i.e., Abraham “gave” the lad to Hagar. The word here rendered “child” is translated “young man” in iv. 23; xviii. 7; and is applied in xxxvii. 30 to Joseph when seventeen years of age.

15 cast the child. Rather, “placed the lad.” Ishmael was now nearly seventeen years old, but was probably less able than his mother to bear the heat. This shrub, the retem, still abounds in this desert (1 Kings xix. 5).

19 opened. Directed attention to that which in her anxiety she had overlooked. Where wells are valuable they are often carefully concealed. God was showing Hagar and Ishmael, both by their suffering and their deliverance, that they were still under His watchful care, and that whilst He would chasten them for their faults, He would preserve them for Abraham’s sake. Friendly relations were still maintained between the families (xxv. 9; xxviii. 8, 9).

21. Paran. A district of table-land between Egypt and Edom, extending from Beersheba nearly to Sinai, still inhabited by Arabs, who boast their descent from Ishmael, and retain the customs of the patriarchs.

22 the chief captain of his host. The presence of this personage shows that this was not a private but a public transaction. Phichol, “the mouth of all,” like Abimelech, was probably an official name.

25 well. The possession of wells of good water is a matter of great importance in such a country. (Cp. xiii. 7; xxvi. 15.)

29 seven. For other uses of seven, see Gen. ii. 3; Exod. xii. 15; Lev. xxv. 8; Numb. xxiii. 1; Prov. ix. 1; Acts vi. 3; Rev. i. 4; viii. 2. Herodotus (iii. 8) says that the Arabs ratify a treaty by putting blood on seven stones.

33 grove. Literally, a “tamarisk” (R.V.); probably a memorial of Abraham’s residence and worship there.