King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:19 Mean?

Genesis 21:19 in the King James Version says “And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad d...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.”

Genesis 21:19 · KJV

Context

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.

19

And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

20

And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer .

21

And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.

Read Genesis 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water... 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. What theological truths about Isaac's Birth emerge from this passage?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּפְקַ֤ח1 of 15

“opened”

H6491

to open (the senses, especially the eyes); figuratively, to be observant

אֱלֹהִים֙2 of 15

“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

אֶת3 of 15
H853

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

עֵינֶ֔יהָ4 of 15

“her eyes”

H5869

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

וַתֵּ֖רֶא5 of 15

“and she saw”

H7200

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

בְּאֵ֣ר6 of 15

“a well”

H875

a pit; especially a well

מַ֔יִם7 of 15

“of water”

H4325

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

וַתֵּ֜לֶךְ8 of 15
H1980

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

וַתְּמַלֵּ֤א9 of 15

“and filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת10 of 15
H853

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

הַחֵ֙מֶת֙11 of 15

“the bottle”

H2573

a skin bottle (as tied up)

מַ֔יִם12 of 15

“of water”

H4325

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

וַתַּ֖שְׁקְ13 of 15

“and gave”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת14 of 15
H853

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

הַנָּֽעַר׃15 of 15

“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

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 21:19 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 21:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 22:312 Kings 6:17-20Isaiah 35:5-6Luke 24:16-31

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Genesis 21 with CommentaryAll Genesis ChaptersComplete Genesis QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes