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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 />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking <i>Isaac.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing <i>in jest</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now [as time went on] Sarah saw [Ishmael] the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking [Isaac].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah saw the son mocking—the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah saw the son mocking—the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Sarah saw that Abraham's son by Hagar the Egyptian was laughing at Isaac.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />One day Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, was playing with Sarah's son Isaac. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless, when Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian—whom Hagar had borne to Abraham—making fun of Isaac,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But Sarah noticed the son of Hagar the Egyptian--the son whom Hagar had borne to Abraham--mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne to Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and Sarah sees the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she has borne to Abraham, mocking,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Sarah seeth the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she hath borne to Abraham, mocking,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Sarah will see the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she brought forth to Abraham, laughing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when Sara had seen the son of Agar the Egyptian playing with Isaac her son, she said to Abraham: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when Sarah had seen the son of Hagar the Egyptian playing with her son Isaac, she said to Abraham:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar, the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Sara saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian laughing, to whom Hagar had given birth by Abraham.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, making sport.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Sarrha having seen the son of Agar the Egyptian who was born to Abraam, sporting with Isaac her son,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/21-9.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=4594" 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">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8283.htm" title="8283: śā·rāh (N-proper-fs) -- Princess, a wife of Abraham. The same as sarah; Sarah, Abraham's wife.">But Sarah</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wat·tê·re (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw that</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the son</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">whom</a> <a href="/hebrew/1904.htm" title="1904: hā·ḡār (N-proper-fs) -- Sarah's Eg. maid, the mother of Ishmael. Of uncertain derivation; Hagar, the mother of Ishmael.">Hagar</a> <a href="/hebrew/4713.htm" title="4713: ham·miṣ·rîṯ (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- Inhab. of Eg. From Mitsrayim; a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim.">the Egyptian</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yā·lə·ḏāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">had borne</a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: lə·’aḇ·rā·hām (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">to Abraham</a> <a href="/hebrew/6711.htm" title="6711: mə·ṣa·ḥêq (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh outright; by implication, to sport.">was mocking her son,</a> </span><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!”…<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="/galatians/4-29.htm">Galatians 4:29</a></span><br />At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4-5</a></span><br />And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. / Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-15.htm">Genesis 16:15</a></span><br />And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19-21</a></span><br />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. / But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-6.htm">Genesis 25:6</a></span><br />But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-4.htm">Genesis 37:4</a></span><br />When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-10.htm">Exodus 1:10</a></span><br />Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">1 Samuel 1:6</a></span><br />Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-9.htm">1 Samuel 18:9</a></span><br />And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-14.htm">2 Samuel 2:14-16</a></span><br />Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied. / So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. / Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-19.htm">Psalm 35:19</a></span><br />Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/69-4.htm">Psalm 69:4</a></span><br />Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-16.htm">Psalm 106:16</a></span><br />In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/22-10.htm">Proverbs 22:10</a></span><br />Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/11-13.htm">Isaiah 11:13</a></span><br />Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born to Abraham, mocking.</p><p class="hdg">Sarah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Genesis 16:3-6,15</a></b></br> And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/17-20.htm">Genesis 17:20</a></b></br> And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.</p><p class="hdg">Egyptian.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1,15</a></b></br> Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name <i>was</i> Hagar… </p><p class="hdg">mocking.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/2-23.htm">2 Kings 2:23,24</a></b></br> And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/30-10.htm">2 Chronicles 30:10</a></b></br> So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">2 Chronicles 36:16</a></b></br> But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till <i>there was</i> no remedy.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/21-8.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/21-7.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/21-7.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">Hagar</a> <a href="/genesis/21-8.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/genesis/14-7.htm">Making</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">Mocking</a> <a href="/revelation/14-2.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/genesis/21-7.htm">Sarah</a> <a href="/jude/1-18.htm">Sport</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/22-20.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/22-20.htm">Borne</a> <a href="/genesis/25-12.htm">Egyptian</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Hagar</a> <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Isaac</a> <a href="/genesis/24-42.htm">Making</a> <a href="/genesis/27-12.htm">Mocking</a> <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Playing</a> <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Sarah</a> <a href="/genesis/39-14.htm">Sport</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>But Sarah saw</b><br>Sarah, the wife of Abraham, is a central figure in this narrative. Her observation is crucial as it sets the stage for the subsequent actions. In the cultural context of the time, the matriarch of the family held significant influence over household matters. Sarah's perception and reaction are pivotal in the unfolding of God's covenant promises through Isaac.<p><b>that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham</b><br>Ishmael, the son of Hagar, is identified here. Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, was given to Abraham by Sarah to bear a child due to Sarah's initial barrenness. This act reflects the customs of the time, where a servant could bear children on behalf of a barren wife. Ishmael's Egyptian heritage is noted, highlighting the cultural and ethnic diversity within Abraham's household. This also sets up the later distinction between Isaac, the child of promise, and Ishmael.<p><b>was mocking</b><br>The Hebrew word used here can imply laughter or derision. This mocking is significant as it represents a threat to Isaac's position as the heir of God's covenant with Abraham. The tension between Ishmael and Isaac foreshadows the future conflicts between their descendants. This moment is pivotal in the narrative, leading to Ishmael and Hagar's eventual departure, which aligns with God's plan for Isaac to be the sole heir of the covenant.<p><b>her son</b><br>Isaac is referred to as "her son," emphasizing Sarah's protective and possessive nature over him. Isaac is the child of promise, born to Sarah in her old age as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham. This phrase underscores the special status of Isaac in the Abrahamic covenant, distinguishing him from Ishmael and setting the stage for the lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would eventually come.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a></b><br>The wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac. She is a central figure in this passage, observing the behavior of Ishmael towards her son.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/h/hagar.htm">Hagar</a></b><br>An Egyptian maidservant of Sarah who bore Abraham's first son, Ishmael. Her relationship with Sarah is complex and fraught with tension.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a></b><br>The son of Abraham and Hagar. In this passage, he is seen mocking Isaac, which leads to significant family conflict.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a></b><br>The son of Abraham and Sarah, the child of promise. His birth is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the family, father to both Ishmael and Isaac. He is caught in the middle of the conflict between Sarah and Hagar.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_human_decisions.htm">The Consequences of Human Decisions</a></b><br>The tension between Sarah and Hagar, and the resulting conflict between Ishmael and Isaac, stem from earlier decisions made by Abraham and Sarah to have a child through Hagar. This highlights the long-term impact of our choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_promises.htm">God's Faithfulness to His Promises</a></b><br>Despite human failings and conflicts, God's promise to Abraham and Sarah is fulfilled in Isaac. This reassures believers of God's unwavering faithfulness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/handling_conflict_in_families.htm">Handling Conflict in Families</a></b><br>The account encourages believers to seek God's wisdom in resolving family disputes and to trust in His plans, even when situations seem difficult.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_heritage.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Heritage</a></b><br>The mocking of Isaac by Ishmael can be seen as a spiritual conflict, reminding believers of the importance of nurturing and protecting their spiritual heritage.<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/is_the_antichrist_gay.htm">Was Hagar a wife or concubine of Abraham?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_galatians_4_29_parallel.htm">In Galatians 4:29, Paul compares persecution then to Ishmael’s treatment of Isaac—what archeological or historical evidence supports this parallel? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_hagar_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Hagar in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_events_shaped_sarah's_life.htm">What significant events shaped Sarah's life journey?</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>(9) <span class= "bld">Mocking.</span>--The verb used here is the same as that rendered <span class= "ital">to laugh </span>in <a href="/genesis/21-6.htm" title="And Sarah said, God has made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.">Genesis 21:6</a>, but in an intensive conjugation. What exactly Ishmael was doing is not said, but we may dismiss all those interpretations which charge him with abominable wickedness; for had he been guilty of any such criminal conduct, the sending him away would not have been so "very grievous in Abraham's sight" (<a href="/genesis/21-11.htm" title="And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.">Genesis 21:11</a>). On the other hand, we may feel sure that Sarah was not without good reason for her conduct; for St. Paul bears witness that Ishmael persecuted Isaac (<a href="/galatians/4-29.htm" title="But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.">Galatians 4:29</a>). The LXX. and Vulg. translate <span class= "ital">playing, sporting, </span>and Gesenius thinks that he was "dancing gracefully; "but if this were all, Sarah's jealousy would have been most unjust. When, however, we consider that Ishmael had been for fourteen years the heir, and that he now fell back into an inferior position, we cannot be surprised if at this banquet in his rival's honour he gave way to spiteful feelings, and by word and gesture derided and ridiculed him. Hagar too had probably never regarded Sarah with much affection since her forced return, and now that her son was disinherited, her bitterness would grow more intense. These jealousies are the inevitable results of polygamy; and wherever it exists, the father's life is made wretched by the intrigues of the women for their children.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Sarah saw</span> - at the feast already mentioned (Knobel, Keil); probably also on different occasions since the birth of Isaac - <span class="cmt_word">the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking</span>. <span class="greek">Παίζοντα μετὰ Ισαὰκ τοῦ υἰοῦ αὐτης</span> (LXX.), <span class="accented">ludentem cum Isaaco filio sue</span> (Vulgate), playing like a child (Aben Ezra, Knobel, Tuch, Ilgen), playing and dancing gracefully (Gesenius); but the stronger sense of the word, implying mockery, scoffing, irritating and deriding laughter (Kimchi, Vatablus, Grotius, Calvin, Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Murphy), besides being admissible (cf. <a href="/genesis/19-14.htm">Genesis 19:14</a>; <a href="/genesis/26-8.htm">Genesis 26:8</a>; <a href="/genesis/39-14.htm">Genesis 39:14, 17</a>; <a href="/exodus/32-6.htm">Exodus 32:6</a>), seems involved in the Piel form of the participle <span class="hebrew">מְצַחֵק</span> (Kurtz), and is demanded by <a href="/galatians/4-29.htm">Galatians 4:29</a>. That Ishmael ridiculed the banquet on the occasion of Isaac's weaning (Malvenda), quarreled with him about the heirship (Fagins, Piseator), and perhaps made sport of him as a father of nations (Hengstenberg), though plausible conjectures, are not stated in the text. Ainsworth dates from this event the 400 years of Israel's oppression (<span class="accented">vide Genesis</span> 15:13). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/21-9.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">But Sarah</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרָ֜ה</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8283.htm">Strong's 8283: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham</span><br /><br /><span class="word">saw that</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֨רֶא</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·re)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the son</span><br /><span class="heb">בֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(ben-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">whom</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Hagar</span><br /><span class="heb">הָגָ֧ר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ḡār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1904.htm">Strong's 1904: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hagar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Egyptian</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּצְרִ֛ית</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miṣ·rîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4713.htm">Strong's 4713: </a> </span><span class="str2">Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had borne</span><br /><span class="heb">יָלְדָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(yā·lə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Abraham</span><br /><span class="heb">לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | 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">was mocking [her son],</span><br /><span class="heb">מְצַחֵֽק׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ṣa·ḥêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6711.htm">Strong's 6711: </a> </span><span class="str2">To laugh outright, to sport</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">OT Law: Genesis 21:9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/21-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 21:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/21-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 21:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:10" /></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>