Bible Commentaries
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Genesis 21
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
as = according as.
said. Emphasis on "said" for our faith.
spoken. Figure of speech Pleonasm (App-6), for emphasis.
set time = exact time.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. Note change of title here, till Genesis 21:32, because it is Creator and creature. In Genesis 21:33, Jehovah, where it is Covenant relation. In Mary's song both titles united (Luke 1:46, Luke 1:47 and compare verses: Genesis 21:37, Genesis 21:38).
Isaac. Hebrew. Let him laugh. Compare Genesis 17:17; Genesis 18:12, Genesis 18:13, Genesis 18:15; Genesis 21:6, Genesis 21:9; Genesis 26:8.
suck. A proof that "God", the Creator, had renewed her youth, showing why Abimelech should have taken her (Genesis 20:2). Sarah's Magnificat may be compared with Mary"s. The scenes of both near to each other. Mary's words (Luke 1:54, Luke 1:55) connect her "mercy" with that shown to "Abraham and his seed",
Cast out, &c. See the Divine interpretation. Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:6-29; Galatians 4:22-31.
with my son, &c Hebrew idiom "with my son with Isaac". Compare Numbers 12:8.
Isaac . . . thy seed. Here ser"a is in the sing sense, because of the word "Isaac", and because of the sing verb "it shall be called. "Zer"a is a collective noun (like Eng. "sheep"), but the context must determine whether it is sing, or plural. It is to this verse Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:16 refers; not to Genesis 12:7, where it is indefinite; or Genesis 17:7 where the verb and pronouns show it is plural. See note there, and on Galatians 1:3, Galatians 1:16; and compare Romans 9:7. Hebrews 11:18. "Thy seed" is therefore "Christ". The difference of the 30 years comes in here: 430 to the Exodus (Genesis 12:40) from Genesis 12:4, when Abraham was 75: 25 thence to Isaac's birth: and now, 5 to his recognition as the seed = 30 years.
bottle. Compare man's provision (a bottle) with God's (a well) (Genesis 21:19).
it. Hagar put the "bottle of water" on her shoulder, surely not Ishmael, because Ishmael was about seventeen years old at this time. Abraham was Eighty-six years of age when Ishmael was born (Genesis 16:16), Isaac was born when Abraham was one-hundred years old (Genesis 21:6), then Ishmael would have been fourteen-years old when Isaac was born, Add to the age of Isaac when he was weaned (Genesis 21:8) three years.
lift up her voice = the boy lifted tip his voice and wept. So Septuagint (see Genesis 21:17).
well. Hebrew. beer, a well (digged): not "ayin, a spring or fountain; or bor, a cistern (hewn).
violently, &c. Compare Genesis 26:19, Genesis 26:20. Exodus 2:17. Judges 5:11. This explains Exodus 17:8, "Then came Amalek", because of verses: Genesis 21:1-7.
both. Not one party as in Genesis 15:10-18. Compare Galatians 3:20.
made. Hebrew. cut, because of the dividing of the sacrifice. Compare Genesis 15:10. Jeremiah 34:18-20. Eng. concluded or solemnized.
grove. Hebrew. "eshel = trees, riot "asherah (App-42), but the wood for Genesis 22:3 about twenty years later.
the everlasting GOD. This is the Divine definition of Jehovah (Lord), Hebrew. "olam = duration, secret and hidden from man. Compare Psalms 90:2.
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