Genesis 21:17

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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].

Complete Jewish Bible:

God heard the boy's voice, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What's wrong with you, Hagar? Don't be afraid, because God has heard the voice of the boy in his present situation.

Berean Standard Bible:

Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And God^{H430} heard^{H8085} the voice^{H6963} of the lad^{H5288}; and the angel^{H4397} of God^{H430} called^{H7121} to Hagar^{H1904} out of heaven^{H8064}, and said^{H559} unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar^{H1904}? fear^{H3372} not; for God^{H430} hath heard^{H8085} the voice^{H6963} of the lad^{H5288} where he is.

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Commentary for Genesis 21:17

Genesis 21:17 is a part of the narrative concerning Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, and her son Ishmael, the firstborn of Abraham. The historical context of this verse is set within the patriarchal narratives of the Book of Genesis, which describe the origins and early history of the Israelite people.

In this verse, God responds to the distress of Ishmael, who is dying of thirst in the wilderness after being cast out by Sarah at her husband Abraham's behest. Hagar and Ishmael find themselves in a desperate situation, having been sent away from Abraham's household after the birth of Isaac, Sarah's son, who is considered the child of promise. Despite the tension and conflict between Sarah and Hagar, and the seemingly hopeless circumstances they face, the verse underscores several key themes:

1. **Divine Providence**: God hears the cries of the suffering, even a child in the wilderness. This demonstrates God's attentiveness and care for all people, including those marginalized or forgotten by society.

2. **Compassion and Comfort**: The angel of God addresses Hagar directly, offering comfort and reassurance. The message "fear not" is a recurring biblical assurance that God is present and active, even when human prospects seem bleak.

3. **God's Faithfulness**: The verse reaffirms God's previous promise to Hagar (Genesis 16:10) that He would make Ishmael a great nation. God's hearing "the voice of the lad" indicates divine acknowledgment of Ishmael's plight and a reiteration of His intention to fulfill His promises.

4. **Theodicy**: The narrative raises questions about divine justice and human suffering. While the reasons for Hagar and Ishmael's suffering are rooted in the complex dynamics of Abraham's family, the verse suggests that God does not abandon the afflicted.

This verse is significant as it reveals God's concern for the vulnerable and His involvement in human history, even outside the immediate line of Israel's patriarchs. It also highlights the inclusive nature of God's care, extending beyond the chosen people to all who call upon Him in their time of need.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6963
   There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קוֹל
   Transliteration: qôwl
   Pronunciation: kole
   Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5288
   There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נַעַר
   Transliteration: naʻar
   Pronunciation: nah'-ar
   Description: from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latitude in age); babe, boy, child, damsel (from the margin), lad, servant, young (man).
   
5. Strong's Number: H4397
   There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֲלְאָךְ
   Transliteration: mălʼâk
   Pronunciation: mal-awk'
   Description: from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher); ambassador, angel, king, messenger.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1904
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָגָר
   Transliteration: Hâgâr
   Pronunciation: haw-gawr'
   Description: of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation; Hagar, the mother of Ishmael; Hagar.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8064
   There are 395 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַיִם
   Transliteration: shâmayim
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'-yim
   Description: dual of an unused singular שָׁמֶה; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve); air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s).
   
9. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3372
    There are 305 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָרֵא
    Transliteration: yârêʼ
    Pronunciation: yaw-ray'
    Description: a primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten; affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).