King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:16 Mean?

Genesis 21:16 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Genesis 21:16 · KJV

Context

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.

18

Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, ... 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 understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַתֵּלֶךְ֩1 of 19
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַתֵּ֣שֶׁב2 of 19

“And she sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

לָ֜הּ3 of 19
H0
מִנֶּ֔גֶד4 of 19

“over against”

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

הַרְחֵק֙5 of 19

“him a good way off”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

כִּמְטַֽחֲוֵ֣י6 of 19

“as it were a bowshot”

H2909

to stretch a bow, as an archer

קֶ֔שֶׁת7 of 19
H7198

a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

כִּ֣י8 of 19
H3588

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

אָֽמְרָ֔ה9 of 19

“for she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַל10 of 19
H408

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

אֶרְאֶ֖ה11 of 19

“Let me not see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בְּמ֣וֹת12 of 19

“the death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

הַיָּ֑לֶד13 of 19

“of the child”

H3206

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

וַתֵּ֣שֶׁב14 of 19

“And she sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

מִנֶּ֔גֶד15 of 19

“over against”

H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

וַתִּשָּׂ֥א16 of 19

“over against him and lift up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת17 of 19
H853

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

קֹלָ֖הּ18 of 19

“her voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וַתֵּֽבְךְּ׃19 of 19

“and wept”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

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 21:16 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 21:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 49:15Ruth 1:9Judges 2:41 Samuel 24:16Esther 8:61 Samuel 30:4

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