King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:13 Mean?

Genesis 21:13 in the King James Version says “And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 21:13 · KJV

Context

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.

15

And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.... 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. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְגַ֥ם1 of 9
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת2 of 9
H853

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

בֶּן3 of 9

“And also of the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הָֽאָמָ֖ה4 of 9

“of the bondwoman”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

לְג֣וֹי5 of 9

“a nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשִׂימֶ֑נּוּ6 of 9

“will I make”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

כִּ֥י7 of 9
H3588

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

זַרְעֲךָ֖8 of 9

“because he is thy seed”

H2233

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

הֽוּא׃9 of 9
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

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 21:13 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 21:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 17:20Genesis 16:10Genesis 21:18Genesis 25:12-18

Test Your Knowledge

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

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