Genesis 21:20 kjv

And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

Genesis 21:20 nkjv

So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.

Genesis 21:20 niv

God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.

Genesis 21:20 esv

And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow.

Genesis 21:20 nlt

And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer,

Genesis 21 verses

Genesis 21 20 Meaning

God's divine presence and active support were upon Ishmael, enabling his vigorous growth and development. He successfully adapted to the challenging environment of the wilderness, becoming proficient in archery, a vital skill for survival and leadership in that context. This verse signifies God's faithfulness to His promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael, ensuring the young man's preservation, growth, and destiny.

Genesis 21 20 Context

Genesis 21 recounts the long-awaited birth and weaning of Isaac, the son of promise. Following this joyous event, tension escalates between Sarah and Hagar, culminating in Sarah's demand that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Though initially distressed, Abraham complies after God assures him that Ishmael, too, will become a great nation because he is his offspring. Hagar and Ishmael wander in the desolate wilderness of Beersheba, facing death from thirst. God intervenes miraculously, opening Hagar's eyes to a well and reiterating His promise concerning Ishmael. Verse 20 directly follows this divine rescue and provision, indicating the immediate fulfillment of God's word regarding Ishmael's well-being and future. It establishes Ishmael's secure survival and early development in the harsh wilderness environment, directly under divine oversight.

Genesis 21 20 Word analysis

• And God: Hebrew: we’Elohim (וֵאלֹהִים). The general name for God, emphasizing His transcendent power and sovereignty. Here, it highlights God's universal, providential care over all humanity, even those not in the direct covenant line of Abraham through Isaac. It underlines divine action as the source of Ishmael's strength and growth.

• was with: Hebrew: hayah ‘im (הָיָה עִם). This phrase denotes an active, supporting, and protective presence, implying divine favor and assistance. It’s a recurring biblical theme signifying God's covenantal blessing and enablement, making survival possible even in desperate circumstances.

• the lad: Hebrew: hanna‘ar (הַנַּעַר). Refers to a young boy. Ishmael, specifically. Emphasizes his vulnerability in the wilderness and underscores God's direct, personal attention to his well-being. This term avoids using Ishmael's name directly, possibly focusing on his status as a young, developing individual under God's care.

• and he grew: Hebrew: wayyigdal (וַיִּגְדַּל). Simple, yet profound. This verb indicates physical growth, development, and maturity. It shows that God's presence ensured his flourishing, overcoming the near-fatal circumstances of dehydration. It signifies thriving in adversity, not merely surviving.

• and dwelt: Hebrew: wayyēshev (וַיֵּשֶׁב). This implies settling, establishing residence, or living. It suggests adaptation and establishing a home in the wilderness, rather than just passing through. It speaks to a level of stability and permanency given the environment.

• in the wilderness: Hebrew: bammidbār (בַּמִּדְבָּר). Refers to an uninhabited, often arid and challenging region. This detail highlights God's power to sustain life and foster development even in a harsh, uninviting landscape. It contrasts with fertile lands, underscoring the miraculous nature of his growth. Later specified as the Wilderness of Paran (Gen 21:21).

• and became an archer: Hebrew: wayyhî rōveh qashshāt (וַיְהִי רֹבֶה קַשָּׁת). Qashshāt (archer) is from qeshet (bow); rōveh (one who shoots/aims) from the verb rabah (to shoot). This phrase indicates becoming proficient in the skill of archery. It suggests strength, dexterity, and cunning, traits essential for hunting, protection, and warfare in a nomadic existence. This particular skill may fulfill, in part, the earlier prophecy in Gen 16:12 that Ishmael would be "a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone, and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers." An archer is often depicted as self-sufficient and formidable.

• God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness: This entire phrase conveys a profound theological truth: God's active presence is the catalyst for blessing and flourishing, even in the most inhospitable circumstances. It's a statement of divine providence extending beyond the primary line of covenant promise.

• and became an archer: This final clause highlights Ishmael's distinct character and destiny, as one physically strong and skillful, suitable for leadership in a nomadic warrior culture. It marks his identity and his means of survival in the wilderness environment, affirming God's plan for him to found a strong nation.

Genesis 21 20 Bonus section

• This verse illustrates a broader biblical principle: God's presence guarantees preservation and progress, regardless of environmental challenges.
• The transition from a vulnerable boy (hearing God's voice, crying out) to a skilled archer showcases a dramatic development, attributed solely to God's being "with" him.
• The "wilderness of Paran" (Gen 21:21), where Ishmael settled, is significant. This region borders the Sinai Peninsula and northern Arabia, becoming historically associated with nomadic peoples. It also anticipates the later journey of the Israelites through a similar wilderness, where God's presence would be equally vital.
• Ishmael’s destiny as an archer, dwelling in the wilderness and taking an Egyptian wife, paints a clear picture of the distinct, powerful nomadic peoples who would descend from him, contributing to the diversity of the nations.

Genesis 21 20 Commentary

Genesis 21:20 concisely reveals God's continuous and effective care for Ishmael following his expulsion into the wilderness. The phrase "God was with the lad" is paramount; it signifies divine favor and active support, the true reason for Ishmael's survival and subsequent growth. This presence enabled him to not only endure the wilderness but to thrive within it. His growth and ability to "dwell" there, meaning to establish a life and settle, demonstrate divine empowerment in a hostile environment. Becoming "an archer" symbolizes his specific development into a strong, capable, and self-sufficient individual, embodying the fulfillment of God's earlier promises to make a great nation of him and foretelling his nomadic, resourceful, and robust nature (cf. Gen 16:12). This verse underscores that God's covenant with Abraham included provisions for Ishmael's descendants, even if through a separate lineage from Isaac. It stands as a testament to God's broader providence and His faithfulness to all His promises, even those made in a subordinate capacity.