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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 21:11 Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/21-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_21_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 21:11 - Sarah Turns Against Hagar" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael." /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham’s sight because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son <i>Ishmael.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And the matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The situation distressed Abraham greatly because of his son [Ishmael].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This was very distressing to Abraham because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now this was a very difficult thing for Abraham because of his son. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Abraham was worried about Ishmael. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abraham was upset by this because of his son Ishmael.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />This troubled Abraham very much, because Ishmael also was his son. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Abraham was very troubled about what was being said about his son, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Sarah's demand displeased Abraham greatly because Ishmael was his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the thing is very wrong in the eyes of Abraham, for his son’s sake;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the thing is very wrong in the eyes of Abraham, for his son's sake;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the word was greatly evil in the eyes of Abraham, on account of his son.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Abraham took this grievously for his son. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Abraham took this grievously, for the sake of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abraham was greatly distressed because it concerned a son of his.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The matter was very distressing to Abraham on account of his son.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the response was very distressing in the eyes of Abraham, concerning the matter of his son.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight on account of his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But the word appeared very hard before Abraam concerning his son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/21-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4611" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm">Sarah Turns Against Hagar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">Now this matter</a> <a href="/hebrew/7489.htm" title="7489: way·yê·ra‘ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to spoil; figuratively, to make good for nothing, i.e. Bad.">distressed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê (Prep-b:: N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain."></a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc.">greatly</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/182.htm" title="182: ’ō·w·ḏōṯ (N-fpc) -- A cause. Or rodowth; from the same as 'uwd; turnings; on account of.">because it concerned</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">his son Ishmael.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18-20</a></span><br />And Abraham said to God, “O that Ishmael might live under Your blessing!” / But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. / 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-11.htm">Genesis 16:11-12</a></span><br />The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. / He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Genesis 25:12-18</a></span><br />This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. / These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-2.htm">Genesis 22:2</a></span><br />“Take your son,” God said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Genesis 28:8-9</a></span><br />And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women, / Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-2</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-35.htm">Genesis 37:35</a></span><br />All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No,” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-24.htm">Exodus 2:24</a></span><br />So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Deuteronomy 21:15-17</a></span><br />If a man has two wives, one beloved and the other unloved, and both bear him sons, but the unloved wife has the firstborn son, / when that man assigns his inheritance to his sons he must not appoint the son of the beloved wife as the firstborn over the son of the unloved wife. / Instead, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of his unloved wife, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For that son is the firstfruits of his father’s strength; the right of the firstborn belongs to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">1 Samuel 1:8</a></span><br />“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-6.htm">1 Samuel 8:6</a></span><br />But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">2 Samuel 18:33</a></span><br />The king was shaken and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he walked, he cried out, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-24.htm">1 Kings 2:24-25</a></span><br />And now, as surely as the LORD lives—the One who established me, who set me on the throne of my father David, and who founded for me a dynasty as He promised—surely Adonijah shall be put to death today!” / So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-3.htm">Psalm 127:3-5</a></span><br />Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward. / Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children born in one’s youth. / Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. He will not be put to shame when he confronts the enemies at the gate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm">Proverbs 10:1</a></span><br />The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.</p><p class="hdg">because.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18</a></b></br> And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-1.htm">Genesis 22:1,2</a></b></br> And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, <i>here</i> I <i>am</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/18-33.htm">2 Samuel 18:33</a></b></br> And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/20-18.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_john/2-8.htm">Concerned</a> <a href="/genesis/18-32.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-7.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/21-8.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/20-8.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/6-6.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/genesis/12-17.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/genesis/20-11.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/genesis/19-19.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/genesis/16-15.htm">Son's</a> <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/22-23.htm">Abraham's</a> <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Account</a> <a href="/exodus/2-25.htm">Concerned</a> <a href="/genesis/28-8.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/21-18.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/22-17.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Grief</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Grievous</a> <a href="/genesis/21-17.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/genesis/26-7.htm">Sake</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Son's</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Wrong</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Isaac is born, and circumcised.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Sarah's joy.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-8.htm">Isaac is weaned.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Hagar and Ishmael sent away.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-15.htm">Hagar in distress.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-17.htm">The angel relieves and comforts her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly</b><br>Abraham's distress highlights his deep emotional connection to Ishmael, his firstborn son. This moment reflects the human struggle between personal desires and divine will. Abraham's distress is not only personal but also spiritual, as he grapples with God's promises and the unfolding of His plan. The Hebrew word for "distressed" conveys a sense of deep emotional turmoil, indicating the gravity of the situation for Abraham. This moment is pivotal in Abraham's journey of faith, as he must trust God's plan despite his personal feelings.<p><b>because it concerned his son Ishmael.</b><br>Ishmael, the son of Abraham and Hagar, represents a significant part of Abraham's life and legacy. In the cultural context of the time, the firstborn son held a place of honor and expectation. Ishmael's presence in Abraham's life was a result of Sarah's initial barrenness and the subsequent decision to have a child through Hagar, Sarah's maidservant. This decision, while culturally acceptable, was not in line with God's promise to give Abraham a son through Sarah. The situation with Ishmael also foreshadows the future tensions between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac, which are seen throughout biblical history. Ishmael's role in the narrative serves as a reminder of the complexities of human decisions and their long-term implications in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. In this passage, he is distressed over the situation involving his son.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a></b><br>Abraham's first son, born to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. The situation concerning Ishmael is the source of Abraham's distress.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>Abraham's wife, who bore Isaac. She plays a crucial role in the events leading up to this verse, as she demands that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/hagar.htm">Hagar</a></b><br>Sarah's maidservant and the mother of Ishmael. Her relationship with Abraham and Sarah is complex and fraught with tension.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a></b><br>The son of Abraham and Sarah, whose birth fulfills God's promise to Abraham. His presence in the family creates tension with Ishmael.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_complexity_of_family_dynamics.htm">The Complexity of Family Dynamics</a></b><br>Families can be sources of great joy and deep distress. Abraham's situation reminds us that even the most faithful can face challenging family dynamics.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god's_plan.htm">Trusting God's Plan</a></b><br>Abraham's distress over Ishmael shows the human struggle to understand God's plan. We are called to trust God, even when His plans are not clear to us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_human_decisions.htm">The Consequences of Human Decisions</a></b><br>The situation with Hagar and Ishmael is a result of earlier decisions made by Abraham and Sarah. Our choices can have long-lasting impacts, and we must seek God's guidance in our decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>Despite the distressing situation, God remains faithful to His promises to Abraham. This encourages us to hold onto God's promises in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/handling_distress_with_faith.htm">Handling Distress with Faith</a></b><br>Abraham's distress is a natural human emotion. We are encouraged to bring our distress to God, trusting Him to provide wisdom and peace.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_it_mean_to_always_rejoice.htm">Who were the sons of Abraham?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_the_ishmaelites.htm">Who were the Ishmaelites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_support_expelling_ishmael.htm">Why does God endorse Sarah’s demand to expel Hagar and Ishmael in Genesis 21:10–14 despite earlier promises to Ishmael?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_galatians_4_22-23_and_genesis_differ.htm">Why does Galatians 4:22-23, referring to Abraham's two sons, contradict other accounts of their significance in Genesis?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">The thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">the word </span>(or matter) <span class= "ital">was evil exceedingly in Abraham's eyes. </span>It was not merely painful to him because of his natural affection for Ishmael (<a href="/genesis/17-18.htm" title="And Abraham said to God, O that Ishmael might live before you!">Genesis 17:18</a>), but he also thought the proposal unjust.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> <span class="cmt_word">- And the thing</span> (literally, the word, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> Sarah's proposal) <span class="cmt_word">was very grievous</span> (literally, <span class="accented">evil exceedingly</span>; for the contrary phrase <span class="accented">vide Genesis</span> 20:15) <span class="cmt_word">in Abraham's sight</span> (literally, <span class="accented">in the eyes of</span> Abraham) <span class="cmt_word">because of his son</span> - who, besides being bound to him by the ties of natural affection, had for years been regarded as the Heaven-appointed heir of the promise (<span class="accented">vide</span> <a href="/genesis/17-18.htm">Genesis 17:18</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/21-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now this matter</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">distressed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֧רַע</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7489.htm">Strong's 7489: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">greatly</span><br /><span class="heb">מְאֹ֖ד</span> <span class="translit">(mə·’ōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3966.htm">Strong's 3966: </a> </span><span class="str2">Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because it concerned</span><br /><span class="heb">אוֹדֹ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(’ō·w·ḏōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_182.htm">Strong's 182: </a> </span><span class="str2">Turnings, on account of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his son [Ishmael].</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּנֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/21-11.htm">Genesis 21:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/21-11.htm">OT Law: Genesis 21:11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham's (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 21:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/21-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 21:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>