King James Version

What Does Genesis 21:7 Mean?

Genesis 21:7 in the King James Version says “And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.”

Genesis 21:7 · KJV

Context

5

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

6

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

7

And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.

8

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

9

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I ha... 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. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does this verse fit into the broader biblical story culminating in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וַתֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 11

“And she said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

מִ֤י2 of 11
H4310

who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix

מִלֵּל֙3 of 11

“Who would have said”

H4448

to speak (mostly poetical) or say

לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם4 of 11

“unto Abraham”

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

הֵינִ֥יקָה5 of 11

“suck”

H3243

to suck; causatively, to give milk

בֵ֖ן6 of 11

“him a 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

שָׂרָ֑ה7 of 11

“that Sarah”

H8283

sarah, abraham's wife

כִּֽי8 of 11
H3588

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

יָלַ֥דְתִּי9 of 11

“for I have born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בֵ֖ן10 of 11

“him a 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

לִזְקֻנָֽיו׃11 of 11

“in his old age”

H2208

old age

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 21:7 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 21:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 66:8Genesis 18:11-122 Thessalonians 1:10Ephesians 3:10Numbers 23:23Deuteronomy 4:32-34

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