King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:1 Mean?

Genesis 21:1 in the King James Version says “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.”

Genesis 21:1 · KJV

Context

1

And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.

2

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

3

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

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.... This passage is part of the Abrahamic narratives which shift from universal human history to God's particular covenant people. The Abraham cycle (Genesis 12-25) demonstrates God's sovereign election, covenant faithfulness, and the development of faith through testing and promise fulfillment.

Central themes include God's unconditional covenant promises (land, descendants, blessing to nations), the call to faith and obedience, the testing of faith through delays and impossibilities, the contrast between divine promises and human schemes, and God's gracious persistence despite human failures. Abraham emerges as the father of faith whose trust in God's promises becomes the model for all believers (Romans 4, Galatians 3, Hebrews 11).

Theologically, these narratives establish: (1) salvation by grace through faith rather than works; (2) covenant as God's gracious initiative binding Himself to His people; (3) the necessity of patient trust when promises seem impossible; (4) the consequences of attempting to fulfill God's promises through human effort; (5) the pattern of divine testing producing mature faith. The Abraham cycle foreshadows Christ as the ultimate seed through whom blessing extends to all nations (Galatians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
יְהוָ֛ה1 of 11

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

פָּקַ֥ד2 of 11

“visited”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶת3 of 11
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְשָׂרָ֖ה4 of 11

“Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָמָ֑ר6 of 11

“as he had said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וַיַּ֧עַשׂ7 of 11

“did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יְהוָ֛ה8 of 11

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְשָׂרָ֖ה9 of 11

“Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 11
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֵּֽר׃11 of 11

“as he had spoken”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 21:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 21:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 12:6Genesis 18:10Genesis 18:14Galatians 4:23Genesis 17:19Matthew 24:35

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 21 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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