Genesis 21:17

KJV

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)

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 21:17 records a profound moment of divine compassion and intervention as God hears the desperate cries of Ishmael, abandoned in the wilderness with his mother, Hagar. An angel of God calls to Hagar from heaven, reassuring her and revealing God's attentiveness to the lad's suffering, thereby ensuring their survival and the continuation of God's promise concerning Ishmael.

### CONTEXT
This verse immediately follows the heart-wrenching account of Abraham sending Hagar and Ishmael away from his household into the wilderness of Beersheba at Sarah's insistence, as detailed in [Genesis 21:14](/genesis/21-14 "Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away"). Having exhausted their water supply, Hagar, unable to bear watching her son die, laid Ishmael under a shrub and moved a bowshot away. It was in this moment of utter despair, as Ishmael cried out in distress, that God intervened, setting the stage for miraculous provision and demonstrating His profound attentiveness even in the direst of circumstances.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 21:17](/genesis/21-17 "God hears Ishmael's cry") opens with the declarative statement, "And God heard the voice of the lad." The Hebrew verb for "heard" is *shama* (שָׁמַע), which signifies more than mere auditory perception; it implies deep understanding, attentive listening, and, crucially, a responsive action. This highlights God's active engagement with Ishmael's suffering, acknowledging his distress even when Hagar herself had moved away, unable to watch. It is Ishmael's cry, not Hagar's, that is explicitly noted as being heard, underscoring God's direct concern for the boy.

Following this, "and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven." The "angel of God" (*mal'akh Elohim*, מַלְאַךְ אֱלֹהִים) is a divine messenger, often understood in Old Testament theology as a direct manifestation or representative of God Himself, conveying His will and presence with unquestionable authority. The angel's call "out of heaven" emphasizes the divine origin and transcendent nature of this intervention, signifying that help comes from beyond earthly means.

The angel's address to Hagar is both tender and authoritative: "What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he [is]." The initial question is rhetorical, designed to elicit Hagar's attention and acknowledge her despair, while the command "fear not" offers immediate comfort and reassurance. The angel then provides the reason for this comfort: God has heard Ishmael's voice. The phrase "where he [is]" is particularly poignant, emphasizing God's omniscience and omnipresence—He knows precisely Ishmael's location and condition, even in the vast, desolate wilderness. This divine knowledge is the basis for the subsequent divine provision.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Attentiveness and Compassion:** This verse powerfully illustrates God's universal compassion and attentiveness to the cries of the distressed, regardless of their perceived status or lineage. God hears the suffering of Ishmael, an outcast, demonstrating His care extends beyond the immediate covenant line to all humanity ([Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "God hears the cries of the righteous")).
* **God's Faithfulness to His Promises:** Despite the dire circumstances, God remembers His earlier promises concerning Ishmael, specifically that He would make him into a great nation ([Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's promise concerning Ishmael") and [Genesis 21:13](/genesis/21-13 "God's promise to make a nation of Ishmael")). This divine intervention ensures Ishmael's survival, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His word.
* **Divine Intervention in Despair:** Genesis 21:17 highlights God's timely rescue when human efforts fail and hope is lost. Just as Hagar and Ishmael were at the brink of death, God intervened, providing reassurance and direction for their survival, serving as a powerful example of divine providence.
* **God's Omniscience and Omnipresence:** The phrase "where he [is]" underscores God's perfect knowledge of Ishmael's exact location and state of suffering, emphasizing His omnipresence and omniscience even in the most remote and desperate places.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 21:17 offers profound encouragement for anyone facing overwhelming trials and despair. It serves as a powerful reminder that no cry, no silent groan, no desperate prayer goes unheard by God, regardless of our perceived status or the depth of our suffering. When we feel abandoned, forgotten, or at the end of our resources, this verse assures us that God is intimately attentive to our plight. It calls us to trust in God's unfailing compassion and His ability to intervene even in the most dire circumstances, providing hope and a way forward where none seems to exist. Just as God provided for Hagar and Ishmael in their wilderness experience, He is faithful to sustain His people and fulfill His purposes, offering comfort and provision in our own moments of deepest need.

### FAQ
**Why did God explicitly hear the "voice of the lad" and not Hagar's cries?**

Answer: While Hagar was undoubtedly in deep distress, the text emphasizes Ishmael's voice, likely his cries or groans of a dying child. This highlights God's direct compassion for the vulnerable and innocent, and it also connects to God's earlier promises made to Abraham regarding Ishmael's future. God's focus on Ishmael's voice underscores His commitment to the boy's survival for the fulfillment of His covenantal word.

**Who is the "angel of God" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "angel of God" (Hebrew: *mal'akh Elohim*) is a divine messenger. In many Old Testament instances, particularly when the angel speaks with divine authority ("I will make him a great nation" or "God has heard"), this figure is understood by theologians as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ—or at least a direct, authoritative manifestation of God Himself. This emphasizes the directness and power of God's intervention.

**What is the significance of "where he [is]" in God's statement?**

Answer: The phrase "where he [is]" emphasizes God's perfect knowledge and omnipresence. It signifies that God is not a distant deity but intimately aware of every detail of our circumstances, even in the most desolate and seemingly forgotten places. It reassures Hagar that God knows precisely Ishmael's location and condition, underscoring His ability to intervene effectively and precisely.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine intervention in Genesis 21:17, where God hears the cry of the distressed and sends His angel to bring comfort and provision, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God heard Ishmael's desperate plea and provided life-saving water, Christ is the ultimate source of living water, offering eternal life and sustenance to all who thirst ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "Jesus offers living water")). Furthermore, the "angel of God" who brings divine reassurance and direction foreshadows Christ Himself, who is the ultimate Messenger and Revelation of God ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1 "God speaks through His Son")). In Christ, God's compassion for the suffering and outcast reaches its zenith, as He not only hears our cries but fully enters into our suffering, intercedes on our behalf, and provides ultimate salvation and comfort, ensuring that no one who trusts in Him will ever truly perish in their wilderness.

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.