Genesis 21:1-7
Ordinary A29

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1 The LordA dealt withB SarahC as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised.D 

Notes on verse 1

A “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
B “dealt with” = paqad. This is to attend to or visit – can be used for a friendly or violent encounter. So, it can be to oversee, care for, avenge, or charge.
C “Sarah” = sarah. From the same as sarah (princess, mistress, noble lady, queen); from sar (chief, ruler, captain, official, prince). This is Sarah, meaning princess.
D “promised” = dabar. This is to speak, answer, arrange, or declare.

2 Sarah conceived and bore AbrahamE a son in his old age,F at the timeG of which GodH had spoken to him. 

Notes on verse 2

E “Abraham” = Abraham. From the same as Abiram (exalted father, a high father – lofty) {from ab (father literal or figurative) + rum (rise, bring up, being high, extol, exalt, haughty; to raise in a literal or figurative sense)}. This is Abraham, father of many nations or father of a multitude.
F “old age” = zaqun. 4x in OT. From zaqen (old, aged, or elder); from zaqan (beard or chin – the beard represents old age). This is old age.
G “time” = moed. From yaad (to appoint, assemble or gather selves, agree). This is a meeting, assembly, fixed time. It can be used for a festival or feast. It can also refer to a meeting place.
H “God” = Elohim.

3 Abraham gave the nameI IsaacJ to his son whom Sarah bore him. 4 And Abraham circumcisedK his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commandedL him. 5 Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him. 

Notes on verses 3-5

I “gave the name” = qara…shem. Literally “called his name.” Qara is to call or call out – to call someone by name. Also used more broadly for calling forth. Shem may be from sum (to put, place, set). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.
J “Isaac” = yitschaq. From tsachaq (to laugh, mock, play, make sport; this is laughing out loud whether in joy or in a scornful way). This is Isaac, meaning “he laughs.”
K “circumcised” = mul. This is to cut off, cut in pieces, or destroy. It is used for to circumcise. It can also mean to blunt.
L “commanded” = tsavah. This is to charge, command, order, appoint, or enjoin. This is the root that the Hebrew word for “commandment” comes from (mitsvah).

6 Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughterM for me; everyone who hearsN will laughO with me.” 

7 And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurseP children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Notes on verses 6-7

M “laughter” = tsechoq. Related to “Isaac” in v3. 2x in OT From tsachaq (see note J above). This is laughter, whether from pleasure or in scorn.
N “hears” = shama. This is to hear, call, consent, or consider. It implies listening intelligently, giving attention, and, because of these two factors, obedience and action are often implied.
O “laugh” = tsachaq. Related to “Isaac” in v3 & “laughter” in v6. See note J above.
P “nurse” = yanaq. This is to suckle or to nurse. In a causative sense, it can mean to give milk. So, this word can be used for a nursing mother or for her suckling child.


Image credit: “Visitation” from the Church of Saint Elizabeth in El Sitio, El Salvador.