Abraham and Sarah's Decision-Making in Genesis 21:9-21
Genesis 21:9-21 describes the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael from Abraham's household, a pivotal event following the birth of Isaac. The passage begins, "And when Sara had seen the son of Agar, the Egyptian, playing with Isaac, her son, she said to Abraham: Cast out this bondwoman, and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son Isaac" (Genesis 21:9-10 DRC). This incident occurs after Sarah, at ninety years old, conceived and bore Abraham a son, Isaac, as God had promised [1, 3, 11]. Abraham was 100 years old at Isaac's birth [5].
The immediate cause for Sarah's demand was Ishmael "playing with Isaac" [2]. The Hebrew word for "playing" (מְצַחֵק, məṣaḥeq) can carry various connotations. While some interpretations suggest Ishmael was simply acting as a child would, leading to Sarah's jealousy because he was older than Isaac [8], others imply a more malicious "mocking" or "jesting" [5, 9]. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge cross-references Genesis 21:9 with passages like Isaiah 9:20 and Ezekiel 3:3, which describe consuming or devouring, potentially hinting at a more aggressive form of "playing" [4].
Sarah's demand was "grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son" [5]. However, God intervened, instructing Abraham to "hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called" (Genesis 21:12). God reassured Abraham that Ishmael would also become a nation because he was Abraham's offspring [6]. This divine instruction highlights that while Abraham was distressed, God affirmed Sarah's counsel, emphasizing Isaac's role in the covenant promise [7].
Following God's command, Abraham rose early, provided Hagar and Ishmael with bread and water, and sent them away into the wilderness of Beer-sheba (Genesis 21:14). When their water ran out, Hagar placed Ishmael under a bush, not wanting to see him die. God heard the boy's cry, and an angel directed Hagar to a well, promising that Ishmael would become a great nation (Genesis 21:15-18). Ishmael grew up in the wilderness of Paran and married an Egyptian woman (Genesis 21:20-21).
This narrative demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises, both to Abraham concerning Isaac as the heir of the covenant [12] and to Hagar concerning Ishmael's future [6, 7]. The event also underscores the theme of divine intervention in human affairs to fulfill God's plan, even amidst familial strife [10].
Sources
- Genesis “Genesis 21:2 (Geneva1599) — For Sarah conceiued, and bare Abraham a sonne in his olde age, at the same season that God tolde him.”
- Genesis “Genesis 21:9 (DRC) — And when Sara had seen the son of Agar, the Egyptian, playing with Isaac, her son, she said to Abraham:”
- Genesis “Genesis 21:3 (BSB) — And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 41:21 cross-references: Psalms 37:19, Isaiah 9:20, Ezekiel 3:3, Revelation 10:9”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 21 (introduction): Isaac is born according to the promise, Gen 21:1-3; and is circumcised when eight days old, Gen 21:4. Abraham's age, and Sarah's exultation at the birth of their son, Gen 21:5-7. Isaac is weaned, Gen 21:8. Ishmael mocking on the occasion, Sarah requires that both he and his mother Hagar shall be dismissed, Gen 21:9, Gen 21:10. Abraham, distressed on the account, is ordered by the Lord to comply, Gen 21:11, Gen 21:12. The promise renewed to Ishmael, Gen 21:13. Abraham dismisses Hagar and her son, who go to the wilderness of Beer-sheba, Gen 21:14. They a”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 21:11: 21:11-13 Abraham was upset by Sarah’s demand to oust Hagar and Ishmael. God told him to comply, assuring Abraham that Ishmael would also have a future as Abraham’s offspring.”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 21:12: In Isaac shall thy seed be called - Here God shows the propriety of attending to the counsel of Sarah; and lest Abraham, in whose eyes the thing was grievous, should feel distressed on the occasion, God renews his promises to Ishmael and his posterity.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 21:9: MAKING SPORT. Ishmael was acting as a boy is wont to act. Sarah was jealous because he was older than her son.”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 21 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 21 This chapter gives an account of the conception, birth, circumcision, and weaning of Isaac, Gen 21:1; of the mocking of Ishmael, and of the casting out of him and his mother from Abraham's house, at the request of Sarah, which, though grievous to Abraham, he complied with at the direction of God, Gen 21:9; of the provision Abraham made for their departure, and of the supply they met with in the wilderness from God, where Ishmael was brought up, and where he married, Gen 21:14; and of a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, ”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 20:1: 20:1-18 This second “sister story” in Genesis (cp. 12:10-20) occurred shortly before Sarah became pregnant with Isaac (ch 21). On both occasions, God protected Abraham and Sarah’s marriage in purity for the sake of the covenant promises. Participation in God’s plan requires separation from worldly corruption. • This story took place in the Promised Land; it showed Israel how God intervened in people’s lives to fulfill his plan, how God continued to protect them against threats from other tribes, and how God used his chosen people to mediate his relationship with ”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 21:1: The Lord visited Sarah - That is, God fulfilled his promise to Sarah by giving her, at the advanced age of ninety, power to conceive and bring forth a son.”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 21 (introduction): BIRTH OF ISAAC. (Gen 21:1-13) the Lord visited Sarah--The language of the historian seems designedly chosen to magnify the power of God as well as His faithfulness to His promise. It was God's grace that brought about that event, as well as the raising of spiritual children to Abraham, of which the birth of this son was typical [CALVIN].”