Genesis 21:13

KJV

And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he [is] thy seed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And also of the son {H1121} of the bondwoman {H519} will I make {H7760} a nation {H1471}, because he is thy seed {H2233}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I will also make a nation from the son of the slave-girl, since he is descended from you."

Berean Standard Bible

But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”

American Standard Version

And also of the son of the handmaid will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 21:13 unveils God's profound and expansive providence, assuring Abraham that despite the painful command to send away Hagar and Ishmael, He would still make a great nation of the son of the bondwoman. This divine declaration highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His prior promises concerning Ishmael's future and His sovereign care extending beyond the specific covenant lineage established through Isaac, demonstrating an encompassing mercy that governs the destinies of all peoples.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a direct divine response to a deeply distressing situation for Abraham. Immediately preceding it, Sarah, having given birth to Isaac, observes Ishmael mocking her son and demands that Abraham cast out Hagar and Ishmael, stating, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac" [Genesis 21:10](/genesis/21-10 "Sarah's Demand to Abraham"). This demand was "very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son" [Genesis 21:11](/genesis/21-11 "Abraham's Distress over Ishmael"). God then intervenes, instructing Abraham to obey Sarah, clarifying that the covenant promises would be established exclusively through Isaac, yet simultaneously offering comfort regarding Ishmael's future: "for in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed" [Genesis 21:12-13](/genesis/21-12-13 "God's Instruction and Promise"). This sequence underscores God's meticulous orchestration of His covenant plan while demonstrating His compassionate oversight of all individuals.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the status of a son born to a bondwoman (concubine) was complex. While such a son could be recognized as legitimate and inherit, the arrival of a son from the primary wife, especially one born miraculously, often altered the inheritance dynamic. Sarah's demand for Ishmael's expulsion aligns with the practice of ensuring the sole inheritance for the son of the principal wife, preventing disputes. However, God's promise to make Ishmael a "nation" (גּוֹי, *gôwy*) was extraordinary. This term often referred to foreign, non-Israelite peoples, signifying a distinct and significant lineage. The emphasis on "thy seed" (זֶרַע, *zeraʻ*) acknowledges the biological reality of Ishmael's paternity, which, in a patriarchal society, carried significant weight regarding identity and future. God's intervention here demonstrates a divine override of typical human social structures, ensuring a future for Ishmael despite his expulsion.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 21:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating God's absolute control over human destinies, even those seemingly outside the primary covenant line. God's plan is comprehensive, encompassing all peoples. Secondly, it illustrates the distinction between **Covenantal Blessing and General Blessing**. While the specific redemptive covenant flows through Isaac (as seen in [Genesis 17:19](/genesis/17-19 "God's Covenant with Isaac")), God's general benevolence and faithfulness extend to Ishmael due to his direct biological connection to Abraham, fulfilling earlier promises made to Hagar and Abraham concerning Ishmael's numerous descendants (e.g., [Genesis 16:10](/genesis/16-10 "God's Promise to Hagar") and [Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's Promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael")). This verse also subtly introduces the theme of **God's Care for the Vulnerable and Outcast**, as Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the wilderness, yet God ensures their survival and future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Genesis 21:13 is a pivotal declaration of divine compassion and sovereign intent, immediately following God's instruction to Abraham concerning Hagar and Ishmael's departure. The verse reads, "And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he [is] thy seed." This statement serves as a divine comfort to Abraham, who was distressed by Sarah's demand and the impending separation from Ishmael.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** From H1121, meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)." Here, it specifically refers to Ishmael, emphasizing his direct biological lineage from Abraham, which carries the weight of paternal connection despite his mother's status.
* **bondwoman (Hebrew, _ʼâmâh'_):** From H519, meaning "a maidservant or female slave; (hand-) bondmaid(-woman), maid(-servant)." This term clearly identifies Hagar, Ishmael's mother, and highlights her social status, which contrasts with Sarah's as the free wife, underscoring the legal and social distinction between the two sons.
* **make (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** From H7760, meaning "to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work." This verb emphasizes God's active, deliberate, and sovereign role in bringing about Ishmael's future as a nation, indicating divine purpose and power.
* **nation (Hebrew, _gôwy'_):** From H1471, meaning "a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people." This term signifies that Ishmael would become the progenitor of a distinct and significant people group, fulfilling God's earlier promises and establishing his lineage as separate from but parallel to the covenant line of Israel.
* **seed (Hebrew, _zeraʻ'_):** From H2233, meaning "seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity; [idiom] carnally, child, fruitful, seed(-time), sowing-time." This crucial term underscores the biological connection between Ishmael and Abraham, serving as the divine rationale for God's continued blessing and promise to Ishmael, even though he is not the covenantal "seed" through whom the messianic line would come.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And also of the son of the bondwoman":** This phrase explicitly identifies Ishmael, the son of Hagar, the "bondwoman," as the subject of God's promise. It immediately follows God's instruction to Abraham regarding Isaac, highlighting that while Isaac is the covenant heir, Ishmael is not forgotten. The inclusion of "also" signifies an additional, distinct promise beyond the primary covenant.
* **"will I make a nation":** This is a powerful divine declaration. The verb "make" (H7760, _sûwm_) emphasizes God's active, sovereign role in establishing Ishmael's descendants as a significant people group. The term "nation" (H1471, _gôwy_) indicates a distinct and numerous people, fulfilling earlier divine promises made to Hagar and Abraham about Ishmael's future. This demonstrates God's power to raise up and multiply peoples according to His will, even outside the specific line of covenant blessing.
* **"because he is thy seed":** This crucial clause provides the divine rationale for God's continued blessing upon Ishmael. The Hebrew term "seed" (H2233, _zeraʻ_) emphasizes Ishmael's direct biological connection to Abraham. While the primary covenant of grace and the messianic line would proceed through Isaac, God honors the natural lineage. This highlights a distinction in God's dealings: specific covenant promises are particular, but His general providence and blessing can extend more broadly, acknowledging natural relationships and prior declarations. God's commitment to Abraham extended to all his biological offspring, albeit with different forms of blessing and purpose. This particular promise ensures Ishmael's survival and flourishing, preventing his complete disappearance from history and affirming God's comprehensive oversight of humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 21:13 employs several literary devices that enhance its theological impact. The most prominent is **Divine Speech**, as God directly addresses Abraham, providing comfort and instruction. This direct address underscores the authority and certainty of the promise. There is also clear **Contrast** between the primary covenant line through Isaac and the separate, though blessed, lineage of Ishmael, highlighting God's multifaceted plan. The promise to "make a nation" for Ishmael serves as **Foreshadowing**, pointing to the future proliferation of the Ishmaelite peoples, which is later recounted in the biblical narrative. Finally, the verse offers **Assurance** to Abraham, alleviating his distress over sending away his son, demonstrating God's compassionate understanding of human emotion even within His sovereign decrees.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 21:13 profoundly illustrates the breadth of God's compassion and the comprehensive nature of His sovereign plan. While God's covenant of redemption is particular, focused on a chosen lineage through Isaac, His mercy and faithfulness extend beyond this exclusive channel. He honors His prior declarations concerning Ishmael, ensuring his future as a distinct nation, thereby demonstrating that His purposes are not limited to one specific line but encompass all humanity. This verse teaches that God's providence is expansive, orchestrating the destinies of all peoples, even those not directly involved in the messianic covenant, revealing His character as a God who remembers His word and cares for all His creatures.

* [Genesis 16:10](/genesis/16-10 "God's Promise to Hagar Regarding Ishmael's Descendants")
* [Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's Promise to Abraham Concerning Ishmael")
* [Genesis 21:17-18](/genesis/21-17-18 "God Hears Ishmael's Cry and Reaffirms His Promise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 21:13 offers profound reassurance that God's care is expansive and comprehensive, extending even to those in challenging or seemingly rejected circumstances. It reminds believers that God sees and cares for all, even when life's paths diverge from expected or desired outcomes. Just as He provided for Hagar and Ishmael in the wilderness, attentive to their needs and futures, He is equally attentive to the needs and futures of all people, including those who may feel overlooked or outside the main stream of blessing. This verse encourages a deep trust in God's goodness and sovereign plan, even when it involves difficult decisions or seemingly unfair situations, knowing that His character is always just, merciful, and faithful to His word, ensuring that His purposes for all humanity will ultimately prevail. It challenges us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in God's overarching design, which often includes blessings and provisions we might not initially perceive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's compassion for Ishmael, despite his exclusion from the covenant line, challenge our understanding of divine justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways might we, like Abraham, struggle with God's commands that seem to involve hardship for those we care about?**
* **How does this verse encourage us to trust in God's comprehensive providence, even when we cannot see the full scope of His plan?**
* **What does God's faithfulness to His prior promises concerning Ishmael teach us about His character and His commitment to His word?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command Abraham to send Ishmael away if He still cared for him?**

Answer: God commanded Abraham to send Ishmael away not out of a lack of care, but to ensure the purity and distinctness of the covenant line through Isaac, as Sarah had requested and God affirmed in [Genesis 21:12](/genesis/21-12 "God's Command Regarding Isaac"). The presence of Ishmael, the son of the bondwoman, could have complicated the inheritance and the fulfillment of the specific promise made to Isaac, which was crucial for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. God's command, though painful for Abraham, was necessary for His unique covenant purposes, yet His compassion ensured Ishmael's future blessing as a separate nation, demonstrating His ability to work through difficult circumstances for both specific and general good.

**What is the significance of the phrase "because he is thy seed"?**

Answer: The phrase "because he is thy seed" emphasizes Ishmael's direct biological lineage from Abraham, which God honors with a distinct blessing, even though Ishmael is not the son of the covenant promise through whom the messianic line would come. It highlights God's faithfulness to His broader promises to Abraham, who was to be the "father of many nations" [Genesis 17:4](/genesis/17-4 "Abraham, Father of Many Nations"), and distinguishes between the specific spiritual inheritance through Isaac and the general blessing of descendants. This distinction underscores that while God has a particular plan for a chosen people, His benevolent care and promises extend to all who are connected to His chosen, demonstrating His comprehensive sovereignty over all humanity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 21:13 is not a direct messianic prophecy, it beautifully foreshadows the expansive and inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan in Christ. Just as God's compassion extended to Ishmael, a son outside the direct covenant line of promise, so too does Christ's salvation extend beyond the lineage of Abraham and Israel to encompass all nations. The promise to make Ishmael a "nation" (a *gôwy*, often referring to Gentiles) points to God's universal sovereignty and His intention to bless all peoples, a theme fully realized in the New Testament where the Gospel is proclaimed to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Multitude from Every Nation"). Ultimately, the "seed" through whom all nations would be blessed is not merely Isaac, but Christ Himself, as explicitly stated in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ as the Seed of Abraham"). This demonstrates that God's faithfulness to a specific covenant culminates in a global salvation, inviting all, regardless of their lineage, into His family through faith in the ultimate Son, Jesus Christ [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "Children of God by Faith").

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 21:18

Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 16:10

¶ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Genesis 17:20

And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 25:12

Now these [are] the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

Genesis 25:18

And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: [and] he died in the presence of all his brethren.