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Genesis 21:13

Mercy and compassion

11 Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael.

12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.

But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”

14 Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes.

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Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”
KJV
And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
WEB
I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.”
ASV
And also of the son of the handmaid will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
DARBY
But also the son of the handmaid will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
BLB
Yet the son of the maidservant I will make into a nation, because he [is] your seed.”
ÅB
Men også slavekvinnens sønn vil jeg gjøre til et folk, fordi han er din sønn.
OTB
Jeg vil også gjøre sønnen til slavekvinnen til en nasjon, fordi han er din etterkommer.”
B1930
Men også trælkvinnens sønn vil jeg gjøre til et folk, fordi han er din sønn.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Genesis 16:10

    Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”

    Read in context

  • Genesis 17:20

    As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

    Read in context

  • Genesis 21:18

    Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

    Read in context

  • Genesis 25:12–18

    This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham.

    Read in context