Genesis 21:21 kjv

And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21:21 nkjv

He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21:21 niv

While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

Genesis 21:21 esv

He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21:21 nlt

and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.

Genesis 21 verses

Genesis 21 21 Meaning

Genesis 21:21 describes the subsequent life and lineage of Ishmael after his expulsion from Abraham's household. It states that Ishmael lived in the desolate expanse of the wilderness of Paran, and his mother, Hagar, ensured his future by arranging a marriage for him with a woman from her own native land, Egypt. This verse highlights the divine provision for Ishmael, affirming his continued existence and the beginning of his own family line, in fulfillment of God's promise to Hagar and Abraham regarding him.

Genesis 21 21 Context

Genesis chapter 21 primarily focuses on the birth of Isaac, the son of promise, and the subsequent challenging separation of Ishmael and Hagar from Abraham's household. After Isaac's weaning feast, Sarah demands that Abraham cast out Hagar and Ishmael, seeing Ishmael as a threat to Isaac's sole inheritance. Abraham is distressed but obeys God's command, as God reassures him that Ishmael too will become a nation. Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the wilderness with provisions, but their water runs out. In their distress, Hagar places Ishmael under a bush, weeping, fully expecting him to die. It is at this point that God hears Ishmael crying and speaks to Hagar, reaffirming His promises concerning Ishmael's survival and future as a great nation. Verse 20 mentions God's presence with Ishmael as he grew up, becoming an expert archer. Verse 21 follows immediately, showing the practical outworking of God's providence: Ishmael finds a settled dwelling in a vast wilderness region, and his mother ensures the continuation of his lineage through marriage.

Genesis 21 21 Word analysis

• He (וַיֵּשֶׁב - vayyēshev - the implied subject from the verb): Refers directly to Ishmael. This emphasizes God's continued involvement and care for him, even though he is outside the primary covenantal line through Isaac. It shows Ishmael's identity as a distinct individual and future head of a nation, as promised by God (Gen 21:13, 18).
• lived (יָשַׁב - yashab): Means to sit, dwell, settle, inhabit. It denotes a prolonged stay or establishment, not just passing through. This conveys a sense of stability and permanence for Ishmael in the wilderness, directly challenging the harsh reality of nomadic existence without God's aid.
• in the wilderness (בַּמִּדְבָּר - bammidbār): The definite article "the" (ba-) highlights a specific type of terrain—a wild, desolate region. Wilderness in the Bible is often associated with testing, hardship, but also with divine provision and encounter.
• of Paran (פָּארָן - Pā'rān): A specific and extensive wilderness region, primarily south of Canaan, extending towards Sinai and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Its mention here places Ishmael firmly in a geographical area known for its ruggedness. Later, this wilderness became a significant transit point for the Israelites during their exodus (Num 10:12) and was home to various tribal groups, some associated with Ishmael's descendants (Dedan, Tema). It suggests the future location and character of Ishmaelite peoples.
• and his mother (וַתִּקַּח־לוֹ אִמּוֹ - vattiqqach-lo immo - "and his mother took for him"): Identifies Hagar as the active agent in this crucial life event for Ishmael. Despite her earlier despair and marginalized status, Hagar is depicted as strong, proactive, and instrumental in establishing her son's future family line, a vital responsibility in ancient Near Eastern society.
• took a wife for him (וַתִּקַּח־לוֹ אִמּוֹ אִשָּׁה - vattiqqach-lo immo ishsha): Signifies the arranged marriage common in the ancient world, where parents, particularly the mother in this context, had the responsibility of securing suitable partners for their children. This action is not merely personal but societal, ensuring the continuation of the family and lineage.
• from the land of Egypt (מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם - mē'erets Mitsrāyim): Egypt was Hagar's homeland. The choice of an Egyptian wife connects Ishmael's immediate family culturally and ethnically to Egypt, differentiating his lineage from Isaac's. This further illustrates the diverse origins of peoples mentioned in the biblical narrative and highlights the influence of ancestral background on family choices.

Genesis 21 21 Bonus section

• The naming of "Paran" links Ishmael's initial dwelling with future significant locations in Israel's history, subtly integrating his story into the broader divine plan, even if on a separate branch.
• The detail that Hagar herself arranged the marriage, without Abraham's involvement, speaks to her regained autonomy and responsibility for her son's well-being following their departure from Abraham's tent. This is in contrast to Isaac's wife being sought by Abraham's servant.
• Ishmael’s settlement in Paran suggests that while his nature was prophesied to be that of a "wild donkey of a man" (Gen 16:12), which could imply nomadic restlessness, God provided him with a place to dwell and form a community, showcasing God's sovereignty over natural temperaments and circumstances.

Genesis 21 21 Commentary

Genesis 21:21 is a concise yet powerful verse that marks the transition of Ishmael from being a cast-out child to the progenitor of a distinct people, in direct fulfillment of divine promise. God's presence with Ishmael (Gen 21:20) leads to stability in a seemingly hostile environment, the wilderness of Paran. This wilderness, a vast and challenging terrain, becomes the ground where Ishmael establishes his life, demonstrating divine providence extending beyond the primary covenant line to Isaac. Hagar's proactive role in securing an Egyptian wife for her son underscores the agency of women in patriarchal society in ensuring lineage and survival. The choice of an Egyptian woman for Ishmael's wife reinforces Hagar's origin and distinct identity of Ishmael's descendants from Abraham's other son. This verse sets the stage for the growth of Ishmael's family into a powerful nation, emphasizing God's faithfulness to all His words, whether spoken directly as covenant (to Abraham concerning Isaac) or as promise (to Hagar concerning Ishmael).