King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:12 Mean?

Genesis 21:12 in the King James Version says “And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.”

Genesis 21:12 · KJV

Context

10

Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.

11

And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.

12

And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

13

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

14

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of th... 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 deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
תֹּאמַ֥ר1 of 23

“hath said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֱלֹהִ֜ים2 of 23

“And God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶל3 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אַבְרָהָ֗ם4 of 23

“unto Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

אַל5 of 23
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יֵרַ֤ע6 of 23
H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

בְּעֵינֶ֙יךָ֙7 of 23

“in thy sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

עַל8 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַנַּ֣עַר9 of 23

“because of the lad”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

וְעַל10 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲמָתֶ֔ךָ11 of 23

“and because of thy bondwoman”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

כֹּל֩12 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר13 of 23
H834

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

תֹּאמַ֥ר14 of 23

“hath said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלֶ֛יךָ15 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׂרָ֖ה16 of 23

“in all that Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

שְׁמַ֣ע17 of 23

“unto thee hearken”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּקֹלָ֑הּ18 of 23

“unto her voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

כִּ֣י19 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְיִצְחָ֔ק20 of 23

“for in Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

יִקָּרֵ֥א21 of 23

“be called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְךָ֖22 of 23
H0
זָֽרַע׃23 of 23

“shall thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

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 21:12 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 21:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 11:18Romans 9:7-8Genesis 17:191 Samuel 8:71 Samuel 8:9Isaiah 46:10

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