Genesis 21:17 kjv

And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Genesis 21:17 nkjv

And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Genesis 21:17 niv

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

Genesis 21:17 esv

And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Genesis 21:17 nlt

But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, "Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

Genesis 21 verses

Genesis 21 17 Meaning

Genesis 21:17 describes a pivotal moment of divine intervention where God directly responds to the distress of Ishmael and Hagar in the wilderness. It illustrates God's compassionate attentiveness to those in desperation, even the outcast and the young. The verse highlights God's active involvement in human affairs, fulfilling previous promises and providing immediate relief. It emphasizes that God's awareness is not limited by location or social status, confirming His omnipresence and loving care.

Genesis 21 17 Context

Genesis 21:17 follows the distressing expulsion of Hagar and her son Ishmael from Abraham's household, a painful consequence of Sarah's jealousy and a complex unfolding of God's plan for Isaac, the promised heir. Abraham, though deeply troubled, obeyed God's instruction to send them away, having been assured that Ishmael would also be made a nation. Hagar and Ishmael found themselves lost and depleted of water in the wilderness of Beersheba, facing imminent death. Hagar, unable to watch her son die, left him under a bush and wept bitterly. This verse then describes the divine response to their dire situation, specifically focusing on Ishmael's cries. The historical context reflects ancient Middle Eastern societal practices concerning concubines, heirs, and banishment, yet God's compassion transcends these customs, demonstrating His universal care even for those cast out. It subtly contrasts with common pagan deities that might demand harsh sacrifices or be indifferent, presenting a God who actively listens and intervenes in crises out of concern, rather than for self-interest.

Genesis 21 17 Word analysis

• And God heard (וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלֹהִים - vayyishma Elohim): The Hebrew verb vayyishma ("and He heard") denotes a direct and active reception of sound, implying attentiveness and readiness to act. Elohim, a majestic plural, refers to the singular God, often used to emphasize God's transcendent power, His role as Creator and sovereign of the universe, and His general providence over all people. Here, it signifies God's universal compassion, reaching beyond the covenant line of Abraham to save Ishmael. The phrasing highlights God's initiative in listening.
• the voice (קוֹל - qol): This word can mean sound, noise, cry, or voice. In this context, it powerfully conveys the distressed cries or groans of the young boy Ishmael, who was likely close to death. It emphasizes the desperation that ascended to God's ears.
• of the lad (הַנַּעַר - hanna'ar): Na'ar denotes a young boy, a youth, or a servant. It humanizes Ishmael and highlights his vulnerability and helplessness as a child facing death. This implies God's special attention to the defenseless and innocent.
• and the angel of God (מַלְאַךְ אֱלֹהִים - mal'akh Elohim): Mal'akh means "messenger." This "Angel of God" acts as a divine agent, serving as God's direct representative, often conveying divine messages and performing God's will. While sometimes signifying a Christophany (pre-incarnate Christ), here it definitively speaks from God, emphasizing a direct, authorized divine intervention.
• called to Hagar (קָרָא אֶל הָגָר - qara el Hagar): Indicates a direct address to Hagar, signaling a personal communication of divine reassurance and direction.
• out of heaven (מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם - min hashshamayim): Signifies the divine origin and authority of the message, emphasizing that this is a revelation from the transcendent God, not a mere human voice.
• What aileth thee, Hagar? (מַה לָּךְ - mah lakh): A rhetorical question demonstrating God's empathy and knowledge of her plight, drawing her attention to the divine presence and compassion, even amidst her sorrow.
• fear not (אַל תִּירְאִי - al tira'i): A common divine imperative throughout Scripture, providing reassurance and dispelling fear in moments of crisis, often preceding a significant revelation or promise. It's an encouragement to trust God's sovereign care.
• for God hath heard (כִּי שָׁמַע אֱלֹהִים - ki shama Elohim): The repeated emphasis on "God heard" (first God hearing the lad's voice, now reassuring Hagar He has heard) reinforces the certainty of divine attentiveness and the basis for her hope. It confirms the divine nature of the response.
• the voice of the lad where he is (אֶל קוֹל הַנַּעַר בַּאֲשֶׁר הוּא שָׁם - el qol hanna'ar ba'asher hu sham): This phrase underscores God's omniscience and omnipresence. Not only did God hear, but He knows Ishmael's exact location and condition, "where he is" at the very point of desperation and near death. This precision demonstrates God's perfect knowledge and care, indicating His compassionate sovereignty even in forgotten corners of the earth.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And God heard the voice of the lad": This opening phrase is crucial. While Hagar was crying out (Gen 21:16), God's specific attentiveness to Ishmael's cry (even if silent groans of distress rather than vocal prayer) reveals a focus on the immediate suffering and a direct response based on His prior promise concerning the boy. This demonstrates God's compassionate nature that extends beyond specific covenant relationships to address raw human need.
• "the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven": This depicts God's chosen method of intervention. The Angel serves as God's direct agent, making the divine presence and message explicit. The origin "out of heaven" solidifies the supernatural and authoritative nature of the intervention, confirming that this rescue is from a higher power.
• "What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard": This combination offers comfort and instruction. The question is one of deep empathy, allowing Hagar to acknowledge her pain. The command "fear not" addresses her immediate emotional state, redirecting her to faith. The reason "for God hath heard" provides the basis for trust, reiterating divine awareness.
• "the voice of the lad where he is": This specific detail is a powerful affirmation of God's omnipresent knowledge and care. It tells Hagar (and the reader) that God is intimately aware of Ishmael's precise circumstances, location, and suffering. It highlights that God does not just hear a generic plea but sees and knows the particular, immediate plight of the one in distress. This dispels any notion of God being distant or uncaring about suffering, regardless of how desperate or hidden the sufferer.

Genesis 21 17 Bonus section

The narrative structure of Genesis 21 highlights parallels between Hagar's two encounters with the Angel of the Lord (Gen 16 and Gen 21), showing God's consistent care for her and Ishmael. Both times she is in the wilderness, near death or despair, and both times an angel of God appears, addresses her, provides assurance, reveals God's plan for Ishmael, and offers a solution. This consistent divine pattern emphasizes God's enduring faithfulness to His previous pronouncements regarding Ishmael (Gen 16:10, 17:20, 21:13). The mention of Elohim rather than YHWH in this account for God can underscore His universal sovereignty and concern for all humanity, not just Israel specifically, highlighting His care even for non-covenant individuals or those outside the immediate covenant promise. God responds to suffering based on His character and prior promises, regardless of whether a formal prayer was uttered. Ishmael's "voice" here represents deep, unspoken anguish, emphasizing that God responds not only to eloquent prayers but also to the raw cries of distress. This passage affirms that no cry, however faint or desperate, is unheard by God.

Genesis 21 17 Commentary

Genesis 21:17 marks a profound demonstration of God's unwavering compassion and faithfulness to His word, even towards those seemingly on the fringes. Hagar and Ishmael are destitute, cast out, and near death in the arid wilderness, a place symbolic of despair and separation. Hagar, having exhausted her own strength, places Ishmael away from herself to avoid witnessing his final moments, a heartbreaking scene. It is here, at the point of utter human helplessness, that divine intervention occurs.

The pivotal element is that "God heard the voice of the lad." While Hagar's grief was evident, the narrative specifically emphasizes Ishmael's cry, signaling God's direct response to the boy's imminent death. This isn't necessarily a prayer, but a cry of pure, desperate suffering from a vulnerable child. God’s act of hearing signifies not just auditory perception, but active recognition, understanding, and a willingness to respond. The intervention through "the angel of God from heaven" establishes divine authority and reassurance. This messenger speaks God's very words, acting as a direct channel of grace.

The comforting exhortation, "fear not," addresses Hagar’s despair directly, reminding her that her circumstances are not beyond God's reach. The reason for courage is powerful: "for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is." This repetition underscores the certainty of God's attention and omniscience. It communicates that God knows exactly Ishmael’s condition and precise location, despite their isolation. This verse paints a portrait of a God who sees the invisible, hears the inaudible cries of the desolate, and steps into human crises with tender compassion and a view to fulfilling His broader purposes. It showcases God's particular concern for the marginalized and vulnerable, affirming His universal care alongside His covenant promises.

Practical examples:

• When feeling abandoned or isolated, recall that God hears silent groans and knows "where you are" in your distress.
• In situations of extreme need, like this one with thirst in the desert, this verse reassures us of God's capacity to intervene with specific provision.
• It encourages compassion for vulnerable children and marginalized individuals, reflecting God's own heart for them.