Genesis 17:21

KJV

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

KJV (with Strong's)

But my covenant {H1285} will I establish {H6965} with Isaac {H3327}, which Sarah {H8283} shall bear {H3205} unto thee at this set time {H4150} in the next {H312} year {H8141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I will establish my covenant with Yitz'chak, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year."

Berean Standard Bible

But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”

American Standard Version

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 17:21 serves as God's definitive declaration to Abraham, unequivocally stating that His sacred covenant promises will be fulfilled through Isaac, the son miraculously conceived and born to Sarah, rather than through Ishmael. This pivotal verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty in His redemptive plan, His unwavering faithfulness to His specific word, and the precise, divinely appointed timing for the continuation of His eternal purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is God's direct and conclusive response to Abraham's plea concerning Ishmael in [Genesis 17:18](/genesis/17-18 "Abraham's Plea for Ishmael to be the Heir"). Prior to this, God had appeared to Abraham, then ninety-nine years old, to re-establish and expand the Abrahamic covenant, introducing the sign of circumcision and renaming Abraham and Sarah, signifying their new roles in His grand plan ([Genesis 17:1-8](/genesis/17-1-8 "God's Covenant with Abraham")). Crucially, God had just promised Abraham that Sarah, despite her advanced age and barrenness, would bear him a son ([Genesis 17:16](/genesis/17-16 "God's Promise of a Son Through Sarah")). Genesis 17:21, therefore, functions as the divine clarification and firm reiteration of the specific lineage through which the covenant would proceed, leaving no room for human alternatives or doubts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the concept of an heir was paramount, especially for a patriarch like Abraham, whose legacy and future depended entirely on progeny. Barrenness was considered a great shame and a significant obstacle to fulfilling divine promises of numerous descendants. The practice of having children through a servant (like Hagar) was a culturally accepted, though secondary, means of obtaining an heir when the primary wife was barren. Abraham's initial laughter and suggestion of Ishmael as the covenant heir ([Genesis 17:17-18](/genesis/17-17-18 "Abraham's Reaction and Plea")) must be understood within this cultural framework, where a natural, existing son seemed a more logical and immediate fulfillment than a miraculous birth to an elderly, barren woman. God's declaration in Genesis 17:21 directly challenges these cultural norms and human expectations, asserting a divine logic that transcends natural limitations.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 17:21 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Election**, demonstrating that God's choice of heir is not based on human merit or natural succession but on His own specific, unchangeable will. It underscores **God's Faithfulness to His Promises**, even when those promises seem humanly impossible, as seen in the miraculous birth of Isaac. The theme of **Divine Timing** is also central, with the phrase "at this set time in the next year" emphasizing God's meticulous orchestration of events, ensuring His promises are fulfilled precisely when and how He intends. This verse also sets the stage for the theme of **Covenantal Lineage**, establishing the specific line through which God's redemptive plan will unfold, distinguishing Isaac's descendants as the chosen people, leading ultimately to the Messiah ([Genesis 22:18](/genesis/22-18 "All Nations Blessed Through Abraham's Seed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 17:21 serves as God's clear and final word regarding the heir of the covenant, directly addressing Abraham's human inclination to consider Ishmael. This declaration leaves no room for doubt, highlighting God's unchangeable purpose and His meticulous orchestration of events. The phrase "which Sarah shall bear unto thee" reiterates the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, emphasizing that this son will be from Sarah, fulfilling the earlier promise despite her advanced age and barrenness.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** (H1285) Derived from a root meaning "to cut," signifying a compact or agreement often made by passing between pieces of flesh, symbolizing the solemnity and binding nature of the oath. In this context, it refers to God's unilateral, binding promise to Abraham, specifically concerning the lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold. The emphasis is on God's initiative and unwavering commitment to this sacred bond.
* **establish (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** (H6965) A primitive root meaning "to rise," but in various applications, including to confirm, continue, decree, or make sure. Here, it denotes God's active and certain intention to bring His covenant to fruition through Isaac, making it firm and enduring. It conveys a sense of divine resolve and the unshakeable foundation of God's word.
* **set time (Hebrew, _môwʻêd'_):** (H4150) Refers to an appointment, a fixed time or season, specifically a festival or a divinely designated moment. This word emphasizes that Isaac's birth was not a random or natural occurrence but a precise, pre-ordained event within God's meticulously planned timeline. It underscores God's control over all circumstances and His perfect timing in fulfilling His promises.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But my covenant will I establish with Isaac":** This opening clause serves as a direct and emphatic contrast ("But") to Abraham's previous suggestion concerning Ishmael ([Genesis 17:18](/genesis/17-18 "Abraham's Plea for Ishmael")). God explicitly names Isaac as the sole heir through whom the Abrahamic covenant will be confirmed and perpetuated. The use of "my covenant" highlights God's ownership and sovereign determination of its terms and lineage, not subject to human preference or natural expectation. The verb "establish" (H6965) signifies God's firm resolve and the unalterable nature of this divine decree.
* **"which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year":** This second clause provides the miraculous detail and precise timing of Isaac's birth. By specifying "Sarah shall bear," God reiterates that the promised son will come from Abraham's primary wife, despite her age and barrenness, underscoring the supernatural nature of the event. The phrase "at this set time in the next year" (H4150, H312, H8141) is crucial, indicating a divinely appointed and exact moment for the fulfillment of the promise. This precision emphasizes God's omnipotence and faithfulness, demonstrating His control over time and biological processes, ensuring the birth is a clear act of His miraculous power.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident in the opening "But," which sharply distinguishes God's divine plan from Abraham's human suggestion regarding Ishmael, highlighting the difference between human logic and divine sovereignty. **Emphasis** is achieved through the direct naming of Isaac and the firm declaration "my covenant will I establish," underscoring the unchangeable nature of God's word. There is also clear **Foreshadowing** of a miraculous birth, setting the stage for the narrative of Isaac's conception and birth as a testament to God's power over natural limitations. The precise temporal marker, "at this set time in the next year," functions as a form of **Prophetic Specificity**, adding weight and certainty to the divine promise, which will be literally fulfilled, further emphasizing God's meticulous planning and absolute control.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 17:21 is a profound theological statement on God's unwavering sovereignty and faithfulness in the execution of His redemptive plan. It unequivocally declares that God's covenant promises are not subject to human reasoning, natural limitations, or alternative suggestions, but will be fulfilled precisely according to His divine will and timing. This verse establishes the principle of divine election, where God sovereignly chooses the means and the lineage through which His purposes will be accomplished, demonstrating that His grace precedes and transcends human effort or merit. It underscores that the Abrahamic covenant, with its promise of a great nation and a blessing to all families of the earth, would proceed through a divinely chosen, miraculous line, setting the stage for the entire history of Israel and the ultimate coming of the Messiah.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "God is not a man, that he should lie")
* [Romans 9:7-9](/romans/9-7-9 "Isaac as the Child of Promise")
* [Galatians 4:22-23](/galatians/4-22-23 "Sons of the Bondwoman and the Freewoman")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 17:21 offers a powerful and enduring lesson for believers today: God's plans and promises are steadfast, certain, and will be fulfilled according to His perfect timing, regardless of human limitations, doubts, or our own alternative suggestions. This verse challenges us to cultivate unwavering trust in God's specific will, even when circumstances seem impossible, when our own desires might conflict with His revealed purpose, or when His methods defy our human logic. It reinforces the truth that God's word does not return to Him empty but accomplishes His intended purpose ([Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")). We are called to align our expectations with God's declarations, knowing that His promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2-corinthians/1-20 "All God's Promises are Yes in Christ Jesus")). This passage encourages us to surrender our limited understanding and trust in the omniscient, omnipotent God who orchestrates all things for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to suggest an "Ishmael" when God has promised an "Isaac"?**
* **How does God's precise timing in this verse encourage you to wait patiently for His promises to unfold in your own life?**
* **What does Genesis 17:21 teach you about the nature of God's faithfulness and His sovereign control over seemingly impossible circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why did Abraham suggest Ishmael if God had already promised a son through Sarah?**

Answer: Abraham's suggestion in [Genesis 17:18](/genesis/17-18 "Abraham's Plea for Ishmael") reflects a deeply human tendency to try and "help" God fulfill His promises through conventional and seemingly more plausible means, especially when the divine method appears impossible. Despite God's explicit promise of a son through Sarah in [Genesis 17:16](/genesis/17-16 "God's Promise of a Son Through Sarah"), Abraham, at ninety-nine years old, and Sarah, at ninety and barren, found it incredibly difficult to believe in a miraculous birth. His laughter ([Genesis 17:17](/genesis/17-17 "Abraham's Laughter")) and subsequent plea for Ishmael stemmed from a mixture of human doubt, a natural concern for his existing son, and perhaps a desire to see the covenant fulfilled through the most obvious, albeit humanly limited, means. God's response in [Genesis 17:21](/genesis/17-21 "God's Covenant with Isaac") serves to clarify that His plan transcends human logic and capability, requiring a supernatural intervention.

**What is the significance of "at this set time in the next year"?**

Answer: This phrase, translating the Hebrew *mo'ed* (H4150), emphasizes God's precise and sovereign timing. It signifies a divinely appointed moment, not a random occurrence or a natural progression. Its profound significance lies in demonstrating God's meticulous planning and exact execution of His will, ensuring that Isaac's birth was not merely a late-life conception but a miraculous event orchestrated by God Himself. This specific timing highlights that God's promises are not only certain to be fulfilled but also fulfilled at His perfect, pre-ordained moment, often transcending human expectations and limitations. This divine precision underscores God's omnipotence, His faithfulness, and His complete control over all circumstances, including the biological and temporal.

**Does this verse mean God rejected Ishmael?**

Answer: [Genesis 17:21](/genesis/17-21 "God's Covenant with Isaac") does not imply God rejected Ishmael as a person or withheld His blessing from him. Rather, it clarifies that the specific covenant promises concerning the lineage of the Messiah and the chosen nation would be established exclusively through Isaac, not Ishmael. God had already promised to bless Ishmael abundantly, making him fruitful and the father of twelve princes, and forming him into a great nation ([Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's Blessing on Ishmael")). Therefore, while Ishmael received significant and lasting blessings, he was not the heir through whom the specific covenant of promise, leading directly to Christ and the nation of Israel, would be fulfilled. This distinction is crucial for understanding the separate destinies of the two lines.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 17:21, by definitively establishing the covenant through Isaac, is profoundly Christ-centered, serving as a powerful foreshadowing of God's ultimate redemptive plan in Jesus Christ. Isaac, born miraculously to elderly, barren parents as the "child of promise" ([Romans 9:7-9](/romans/9-7-9 "Isaac as the Child of Promise")), stands as a type of Christ, the ultimate Seed through whom all God's promises are fulfilled. Just as Isaac was the divinely chosen heir, not born of natural strength or human will but by God's supernatural intervention ([Galatians 4:23](/galatians/4-23 "Son of the Freewoman")), so too is Christ the unique Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit, through whom the new covenant is established ([Luke 1:35](/luke/1-35 "Conception by the Holy Spirit")). This verse highlights the sovereign, elective grace of God in choosing a specific lineage through which His redemptive plan would unfold, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true heir of all promises ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham")) and the one through whom all nations are truly blessed and brought into covenant relationship with God ([Ephesians 2:12-13](/ephesians/2-12-13 "Gentiles Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). The miraculous birth of Isaac points forward to the even greater miracle of the Incarnation, where God Himself entered human history to fulfill His covenant promises in the person of Jesus.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 26:2

And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

Genesis 26:5

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Genesis 21:2

For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Genesis 21:3

And Abraham called the name of his son that was born unto him, whom Sarah bare to him, Isaac.

Galatians 3:29

And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Romans 9:5

Whose [are] the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [came], who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 9:6

¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel: