King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:15 Mean?

Genesis 21:15 in the King James Version says “And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Genesis 21:15 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot : for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

17

And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.... 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. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וַיִּכְל֥וּ1 of 10

“was spent”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

הַמַּ֖יִם2 of 10

“And the water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִן3 of 10

“in”

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַחֵ֑מֶת4 of 10

“the bottle”

H2573

a skin bottle (as tied up)

וַתַּשְׁלֵ֣ךְ5 of 10

“and she cast”

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 10
H853

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

הַיֶּ֔לֶד7 of 10

“the child”

H3206

something born, i.e., a lad or offspring

תַּ֖חַת8 of 10
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

אַחַ֥ד9 of 10

“under one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

הַשִּׂיחִֽם׃10 of 10

“of the shrubs”

H7880

a shoot (as if uttered or put forth), i.e., (generally) shrubbery

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 21:15 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 21:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 63:12 Kings 3:9Jeremiah 14:3Exodus 15:22-25Isaiah 44:12Exodus 17:1-3

Test Your Knowledge

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

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