King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:20 Mean?

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

Context

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

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.

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

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

And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(20) **He grew.**—Literally, *became great, *that is, grew to manhood. **And dwelt in the wilderness.**—He sought no refuge in Egypt, where so large a Semitic population was gathering, nor in any Canaanite town, but took to the wandering life in the desert, such as is still usual with the Arabs. **An archer.**—Heb., *a shooter of bowshots. *Another explanation, from a verb signifying *to multiply, *or *be great, *is not tenable.

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 21:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.