Genesis 21:12 kjv

And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

Genesis 21:12 nkjv

But God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.

Genesis 21:12 niv

But God said to him, "Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.

Genesis 21:12 esv

But God said to Abraham, "Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named.

Genesis 21:12 nlt

But God told Abraham, "Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.

Genesis 21 verses

Genesis 21 12 Meaning

Genesis 21:12 presents a pivotal moment where God directly addresses Abraham, easing his distress over the command to send away Ishmael and Hagar. God instructs Abraham to comply fully with Sarah's seemingly harsh demand, explaining that the divine covenant promises and Abraham's lineage will be definitively established and traced through Isaac. This verse clarifies God's exclusive plan for the covenant to continue through Isaac, distinguishing him as the sole heir of promise, despite Ishmael being Abraham's son as well.

Genesis 21 12 Context

Genesis 21:12 follows Abraham's distress over Sarah's demand to expel Hagar and Ishmael. This arose from Ishmael, at age 16 (after Isaac was weaned), "mocking" or "playing" with Isaac. Sarah, perhaps sensing a threat to Isaac's exclusive claim to the inheritance and the covenant promises, insisted on their banishment. Abraham found this command "very grievous" (verse 11) because Ishmael was his son, whom he loved and through whom he initially hoped the promises would be fulfilled (Gen 17:18). God's intervention in verse 12 directly addresses Abraham's distress, clarifying divine purpose and confirming Isaac's unique role as the covenant heir. This specific historical context underscores the tension between human affection/cultural expectations (Abraham's desire for Ishmael to inherit, primogeniture) and God's sovereign, chosen path.

Genesis 21 12 Word Analysis

• And God said: Vayyo'mer Elohim (וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים). Emphasizes direct divine revelation and authority. God initiates this communication, stepping into Abraham's personal distress. Elohim is the generic name for God, here highlighting His role as the sovereign, almighty Creator.
• unto Abraham: The specific recipient of the divine word. The ongoing dialogue between God and Abraham forms the backbone of the narrative of faith.
• Let it not be grievous: Al-yeḥar (אַל-יֵרַע) or yigra' (יִגְרַע) as sometimes transliterated in specific forms/roots. The Hebrew root is ra'a'(רָעַע) meaning "to be evil," "to be bad," "to displease," "to cause sorrow." It conveys not just annoyance but deep distress or emotional pain, confirming Abraham's heavy heart from verse 11. God acknowledges Abraham's sorrow.
• in thy sight: b'eineykha (בְּעֵינֶיךָ). Literally "in your eyes." It points to Abraham's perspective, how he perceives and experiences the situation; it indicates his personal pain and moral difficulty with Sarah's command.
• because of the lad: Al-hanna'ar (עַל־הַנַּעַר). Refers to Ishmael. He is described as a "lad" or "youth," highlighting his relative innocence and dependency, deepening Abraham's sorrow over his impending expulsion.
• and because of thy bondwoman: V'al-ammaṭkha (וְעַל־אֲמָתֶךָ). Refers to Hagar. She is termed "bondwoman" (concubine/slave woman), signifying her lower status but also her unique relationship with Abraham as mother of his first son. Abraham's concern extends to both.
• in all that Sarah hath said unto thee: Kol asher tomēr 'eleykha Sarah (כֹּל אֲשֶׁר תֹּאמֶר אֵלֶיךָ שָׂרָה). This is a surprising divine endorsement of Sarah's authority. God grants full validity to her drastic and seemingly human-driven command. It emphasizes that Sarah's intuition in this instance aligns with God's sovereign will, elevating her voice beyond its cultural expectation.
• hearken unto her voice: Sh'ma' b'kolah (שְׁמַע בְּקֹלָהּ). To "hearken" (shema') is more than just hearing; it means to listen attentively and obey. It signifies active compliance with Sarah's instruction, implying that God Himself is endorsing her instruction.
• for in Isaac: Ki v'Yitsḥaq (כִּי בְיִצְחָק). "For" indicates the divine reason for the difficult command. Isaac is clearly designated as the vehicle for the covenant promises. The covenant's continuity is singular and exclusive to him.
• shall thy seed be called: Yiqqa'rē' zār'akha (יִקָּרֵא זַרְעֶךָ). This means more than merely having descendants. It signifies the true, chosen, designated, and named lineage through whom the promises of the Abrahamic covenant would be fulfilled. This implies a special, God-ordained designation. It differentiates Isaac’s line as the spiritual and covenantal "seed," regardless of other biological offspring.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Let it not be grievous... because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman": God directly addresses Abraham's pain, acknowledging the emotional turmoil of sending away a beloved son and his mother. This shows God's empathy while still upholding His divine plan.
• "in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice": This is a momentous instruction. It elevates Sarah's agency and decision in a patriarchal society, indicating that her command, though seemingly personal and harsh, aligns precisely with God's ultimate covenantal plan. It demonstrates that divine instruction can come through unexpected human channels.
• "for in Isaac shall thy seed be called": This phrase forms the theological linchpin of the verse. It clarifies unequivocally that the "seed" through whom the promises would pass is Isaac, not Ishmael, regardless of who was born first or Abraham's affections. It's about divine election and purpose, not human arrangement or expectation.

Genesis 21 12 Bonus Section

• The term "seed" (זרע - zera') used here carries significant theological weight. It foreshadows not just a large number of descendants, but a specific lineage, ultimately pointing to a singular "seed" – Christ – through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed (Gal 3:16).
• Abraham's obedience in this difficult matter (sending Ishmael away), along with his readiness to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22), underscores his deep faith, despite moments of personal distress. He continually prioritizes God's command over his own understanding or comfort.
• This verse can be understood as an example of God correcting human "good intentions" that diverge from His sovereign plan. Abraham might have wished for both sons to share the blessings, but God clarifies that His covenant purposes are distinct and exclusive.

Genesis 21 12 Commentary

Genesis 21:12 serves as a critical turning point in the Abrahamic narrative. It encapsulates divine sovereignty overriding human affection and expectation. Abraham, grappling with the emotionally painful command from Sarah, is reassured by God, but crucially, not absolved from the painful decision. Instead, God validates Sarah's decree. This divine confirmation highlights that the seemingly harsh act was necessary for the singularity of the covenant line. The "seed" mentioned refers specifically to the chosen lineage through whom God’s redemptive plan for humanity would unfold, culminating in the Messiah. Ishmael, while promised to become a great nation, was never destined to be the heir of the covenant that pointed to Christ. This moment illustrates that God’s methods are not always comfortable or culturally palatable, but they are always aligned with His greater purposes, which transcend immediate human distress for the ultimate fulfillment of His promises. It also shows God works in mysterious ways, affirming the voice of someone like Sarah, whose perspective on a household matter was essential for clarifying divine lineage.