Genesis 21:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

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

Berean Standard Bible:

And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And God^{H430} was with the lad^{H5288}; and he grew^{H1431}, and dwelt^{H3427} in the wilderness^{H4057}, and became an archer^{{H7235}{H7199}}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 21:20

**Genesis 21:20** - This verse is part of the narrative concerning Hagar and her son Ishmael, who are being cast out of Abraham's household at the insistence of Sarah. Despite the harsh circumstances, the verse emphasizes God's presence with Ishmael, ensuring his survival and prosperity in the wilderness. Ishmael grows up to become skilled with the bow, a detail that underscores his self-sufficiency and ability to thrive in a harsh environment.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Providence:** Despite being cast out, God does not abandon Ishmael and Hagar. This illustrates the theme of God's faithfulness and protection, extending even to those who are marginalized or in distress.
2. **Survival and Resilience:** The verse highlights the human capacity to survive and even flourish against difficult odds, with divine assistance.
3. **Promise and Blessing:** Ishmael's growth and skill development fulfill the promise God made to Hagar in Genesis 16:10, that He would multiply her descendants.

**Historical Context:**
The passage reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where survival in the arid wilderness was precarious. Nomadic life required skills like archery for hunting and protection. The mention of Ishmael as an archer suggests his integration into a nomadic culture, which is consistent with the lifestyle of many Semitic peoples at the time. The story also reflects the complex family dynamics of the patriarchal period, where issues of inheritance and lineage were paramount, and where God's promises and human plans often intersected in tense and challenging ways.

*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: 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).
   
3. Strong's Number: H1431
   There are 112 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדַל
   Transliteration: gâdal
   Pronunciation: gaw-dal'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to twist (compare גְּדִל), i.e.; to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride); advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to... estate, [phrase] things), grow(up), increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3427
   There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָשַׁב
   Transliteration: yâshab
   Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4057
   There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִדְבָּר
   Transliteration: midbâr
   Pronunciation: mid-bawr'
   Description: from דָבַר in the sense of driving; a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also speech (including its organs); desert, south, speech, wilderness.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7235
   There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָבָה
   Transliteration: râbâh
   Pronunciation: raw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7199
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קַשָּׁת
   Transliteration: qashshâth
   Pronunciation: kash-shawth'
   Description: intensive (as denominative) from קֶשֶׁת; a bowman; [idiom] archer. r