Genesis 21:1-7

Genesis 21:1-7
Ordinary A29

₁The Lord^A dealt with^B Sarah^C as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah as he had promised.^D

Notes on verse 1

^A “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
^B “dealt with” = paqad. This is to attend to or visit – can be used for a friendly or violent encounter. So, it can be to oversee, care for, avenge, or charge.
^C “Sarah” = sarah. From the same as sarah (princess, mistress, noble lady, queen); from sar (chief, ruler, captain, official, prince). This is Sarah, meaning princess.
^D “promised” = dabar. This is to speak, answer, arrange, or declare.

₂Sarah conceived and bore Abraham^E a son in his old age,^F at the time^G of which God^H had spoken to him.

Notes on verse 2

^E “Abraham” = Abraham. From the same as Abiram (exalted father, a high father – lofty) {from ab (father literal or figurative) + rum (rise, bring up, being high, extol, exalt, haughty; to raise in a literal or figurative sense)}. This is Abraham, father of many nations or father of a multitude.
^F “old age” = zaqun. 4x in OT. From zaqen (old, aged, or elder); from zaqan (beard or chin – the beard represents old age). This is old age.
^G “time” = moed. From yaad (to appoint, assemble or gather selves, agree). This is a meeting, assembly, fixed time. It can be used for a festival or feast. It can also refer to a meeting place.
^H “God” = Elohim.

₃Abraham gave the name^I Isaac^J to his son whom Sarah bore him. ₄And Abraham circumcised^K his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded^L him. ₅Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

Notes on verses 3-5

^I “gave the name” = qara…shem. Literally “called his name.” Qara is to call or call out – to call someone by name. Also used more broadly for calling forth. Shem may be from sum (to put, place, set). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.
^J “Isaac” = yitschaq. From tsachaq (to laugh, mock, play, make sport; this is laughing out loud whether in joy or in a scornful way). This is Isaac, meaning “he laughs.”
^K “circumcised” = mul. This is to cut off, cut in pieces, or destroy. It is used for to circumcise. It can also mean to blunt.
^L “commanded” = tsavah. This is to charge, command, order, appoint, or enjoin. This is the root that the Hebrew word for “commandment” comes from (mitsvah).

₆Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter^M for me; everyone who hears^N will laugh^O with me.”

₇And she said, “Who would ever have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse^P children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Notes on verses 6-7

^M “laughter” = tsechoq. Related to “Isaac” in v3. 2x in OT From tsachaq (see note J above). This is laughter, whether from pleasure or in scorn.
^N “hears” = shama. This is to hear, call, consent, or consider. It implies listening intelligently, giving attention, and, because of these two factors, obedience and action are often implied.
^O “laugh” = tsachaq. Related to “Isaac” in v3 & “laughter” in v6. See note J above.
^P “nurse” = yanaq. This is to suckle or to nurse. In a causative sense, it can mean to give milk. So, this word can be used for a nursing mother or for her suckling child.