Genesis 21:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For Sarah {H8283} conceived {H2029}, and bare {H3205} Abraham {H85} a son {H1121} in his old age {H2208}, at the set time {H4150} of which God {H430} had spoken {H1696} to him.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sarah conceived and bore Avraham a son in his old age, at the very time God had said to him.

Berean Standard Bible

So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 21:2 records the miraculous birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah, fulfilling God's long-standing covenant promise precisely "at the set time." This pivotal moment underscores God's unwavering faithfulness, His sovereign power to transcend natural limitations, and the perfection of His divine timing, marking a foundational step in the unfolding of the Abrahamic covenant and the redemptive history of humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 21:2 marks the climactic fulfillment of a promise that has been central to the Abrahamic narrative since [Genesis 12](/genesis/12 "The Call of Abraham and God's Covenant Promise"). Following decades of waiting, human attempts to "help" God's plan (e.g., Hagar and Ishmael in [Genesis 16](/genesis/16 "Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar")), and repeated divine assurances, this verse confirms the birth of the promised son, Isaac. It directly follows the brief announcement of Isaac's conception and birth in [Genesis 21:1](/genesis/21-1 "The Lord Visits Sarah as He Had Said"), serving as a theological explanation for the miraculous event. The subsequent verses detail Isaac's naming, circumcision, and Sarah's joy, solidifying his identity as the son of promise and the heir through whom God's covenant would continue.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, progeny was of paramount importance, signifying divine favor, family legacy, and social standing. Barrenness was often perceived as a curse or a sign of divine displeasure, bringing immense sorrow and shame. Both Abraham and Sarah were well beyond childbearing age (Abraham 100, Sarah 90), making the prospect of a natural birth utterly impossible. This extreme physiological limitation serves to magnify the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, emphasizing that it was solely a work of God, demonstrating His power over natural processes and His commitment to His covenant. The cultural expectation of a male heir also highlights the significance of "a son" in this context, not just any child, but the specific male heir through whom the promised "great nation" would descend.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Faithfulness**, as God meticulously fulfills a promise made decades prior, despite human doubt and delay. It also highlights **God's Sovereign Power**, demonstrating His ability to operate outside and above natural laws to achieve His purposes, particularly in bringing life from barrenness. The concept of **God's Perfect Timing** is central, as the birth occurs "at the set time" (Hebrew: *mo'ed*), reinforcing that God's plans unfold according to His precise divine calendar, not human expectations. Finally, it is a crucial moment in the **Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant**, establishing the lineage through which the promised blessings and, ultimately, the Messiah would come, as seen in the broader narrative of [God's covenant with Abraham](/genesis/15 "God's Covenant with Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 21:2 declares with profound simplicity the fulfillment of God's miraculous promise: "For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him." This verse is a theological cornerstone, testifying to the sovereign power and meticulous faithfulness of God.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Conceived (Hebrew, _hârâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to be (or become) pregnant." Its use here emphasizes the biological reality of Sarah's pregnancy, despite her advanced age, underscoring the miraculous nature of the event. It is a direct act of divine intervention, enabling life where it was naturally impossible.
* **Son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this word signifies a son as a "builder of the family name." In this context, "a son" is not merely any child, but the specific male heir, Isaac, through whom Abraham's lineage and the covenant promises would be established and carried forward, ensuring the continuation of God's redemptive plan.
* **Set time (Hebrew, _môwʻêd'_):** This term denotes "an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival." Its usage here is crucial, indicating that Isaac's birth was not a random or delayed event, but occurred precisely at the divinely appointed moment. It highlights God's perfect precision, sovereignty, and unwavering commitment to His word, demonstrating that His plans unfold according to His pre-ordained calendar.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son":** This clause directly states the miraculous event. Sarah, long barren and now ninety years old, supernaturally became pregnant and gave birth. The natural impossibility of this act magnifies the divine agency involved, highlighting God's power to create life where human biology fails. It is the tangible manifestation of God's promise.
* **"in his old age":** This phrase emphasizes the extreme age of Abraham (100 years old) at the time of Isaac's birth. It serves as a powerful rhetorical device to underscore the human impossibility of the situation, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's intervention. It ensures that no human credit can be taken for this birth; it is entirely a divine work.
* **"at the set time of which God had spoken to him":** This is the theological lynchpin of the verse. The "set time" (Hebrew: *mo'ed*) signifies a divinely appointed and precise moment. It confirms that Isaac's birth was not a random occurrence, nor was it delayed beyond God's predetermined schedule. Instead, it was the exact fulfillment of God's specific promise, previously articulated in [Genesis 18:10](/genesis/18-10 "The Lord's specific promise of a son 'at the set time'"). This highlights God's meticulous planning, His absolute sovereignty over time and circumstances, and His unwavering faithfulness to His spoken word.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is powerfully present in the contrast between Sarah's advanced age and barrenness and the miraculous birth of a son, defying all natural expectations. This highlights the **Divine Intervention** as the sole cause of the event. The phrase "at the set time of which God had spoken to him" functions as a **Fulfillment Narrative**, explicitly connecting the present event to past divine promises, thereby emphasizing God's faithfulness and the certainty of His word. The repetition of the promise of a son and its eventual fulfillment also creates a sense of **Anticipation and Resolution**, bringing a long-standing narrative tension to its joyous conclusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 21:2 is a profound testament to God's character and His method of operation in redemptive history. It underscores His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, demonstrating that His word is not merely a declaration but a divine commitment that will inevitably come to pass, regardless of human limitations or the passage of time. The miraculous nature of Isaac's birth showcases God's absolute sovereignty over creation and natural processes, affirming that nothing is impossible for Him. This event also establishes a crucial pattern of divine promise followed by certain fulfillment, building a foundation of trust for all future divine declarations and serving as a prototype for God's redemptive acts throughout history, culminating in Christ.

* [Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "God's Perfect Timing in Christ's Advent")
* [Luke 1:37](/luke/1-37 "Nothing is Impossible with God")
* [Hebrews 11:11](/hebrews/11-11 "Sarah's Faith and the Power to Conceive")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 21:2 offers profound encouragement and a powerful lesson in faith for believers today. In a world that often demands instant gratification and tangible proof, this verse reminds us of God's impeccable timing and unwavering faithfulness. When we face seemingly impossible situations, prolonged seasons of waiting, or prayers that seem unanswered, Isaac's miraculous birth stands as a beacon of hope. It teaches us that God is not bound by our timelines, our limitations, or the natural order of things. His delays are not denials, but often preparations for a greater, more glorious manifestation of His power and purpose. We are called to cultivate a patient, persistent faith, trusting that what God has promised, He is utterly capable and faithful to bring to pass, even when it defies all human logic and expectation. Just as Abraham's faith was strengthened through the long wait, so too can ours be refined as we learn to rest in God's perfect plan and timing, knowing that He works all things for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "impossible" situation are you currently facing that this verse encourages you to entrust to God's miraculous power?**
* **How does the concept of God's "set time" challenge your own expectations for immediate answers or results?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's faithfulness, even when His promises seem delayed or humanly unattainable?**

### FAQ
**Why is the timing of Isaac's birth emphasized as "at the set time"?**

Answer: The emphasis on "at the set time" (Hebrew: *mo'ed*) is crucial because it highlights God's divine precision, sovereignty, and unwavering faithfulness. It underscores that Isaac's birth was not a random event or a delayed fulfillment, but the exact culmination of God's pre-ordained plan, demonstrating His perfect control over all circumstances and His commitment to His promises. This phrase assures us that God's timing is always perfect, even when it requires human patience and faith, and that His word will inevitably come to pass, as seen in [Genesis 18:10](/genesis/18-10 "The Lord's specific promise of a son 'at the set time'").

**Does Isaac's birth have significance beyond the Abrahamic covenant?**

Answer: Yes, Isaac's miraculous birth holds profound significance beyond the immediate Abrahamic covenant. It serves as a powerful prototype for God's ability to bring life from barrenness and the impossible, a theme echoed in the births of other significant biblical figures like Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist. More importantly, Isaac, as the son of promise, becomes a type of Christ, the ultimate Son of Promise. His supernatural birth from elderly parents foreshadows the unique, miraculous conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Isaac's role as the heir through whom all nations would be blessed points directly to Jesus, the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom spiritual blessings and salvation are extended to all humanity, as explained in [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Paul's explanation of the 'seed' of Abraham").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous birth of Isaac "at the set time" serves as a profound and multifaceted precursor to the ultimate "set time" in redemptive history: the advent of Jesus Christ. Just as Isaac was born to elderly, barren parents, demonstrating God's power to bring life from what was humanly impossible, so too was Christ conceived by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, a supernatural birth transcending all natural limitations, as the angel Gabriel declared, "For nothing will be impossible with God" ([Luke 1:34-37](/luke/1-34-37 "Mary's question and the angel's reply about Jesus' conception")). Isaac, the son of promise through whom the covenant line continued and through whom a great nation would arise, prefigures Jesus, the Son of God, who is the very embodiment and fulfillment of all God's promises. Through Christ, the true "seed" of Abraham, God's promise to bless all nations is realized, bringing spiritual life and redemption to those who were spiritually barren and dead in sin ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Paul's explanation of the 'seed' of Abraham")). Thus, Isaac's birth is not merely a historical event but a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and His sovereign plan, culminating in the perfect timing of Christ's arrival to redeem humanity and establish His eternal kingdom.

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

Hebrews 11:11

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Galatians 4:22

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

Luke 1:36

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

Genesis 18:14

Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Genesis 17:19

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.

Luke 1:24

And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,

Luke 1:25

Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on [me], to take away my reproach among men.