Genesis 21:11-13
New English Translation
11 Sarah’s demand displeased Abraham greatly because Ishmael was his son.[a] 12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be upset[b] about the boy or your slave wife. Do[c] all that Sarah is telling[d] you because through Isaac your descendants will be counted.[e] 13 But I will also make the son of the slave wife into a great nation,[f] for he is your descendant too.”
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- Genesis 21:11 tn Heb “and the word was very wrong in the eyes of Abraham on account of his son.” The verb רָעַע (raʿaʿ) often refers to what is morally or ethically “evil.” It usage here suggests that Abraham thought Sarah’s demand was ethically (and perhaps legally) wrong.
- Genesis 21:12 tn Heb “Let it not be evil in your eyes.”
- Genesis 21:12 tn Heb “listen to her voice.” The idiomatic expression means “obey; comply.” Here her advice, though harsh, is necessary and conforms to the will of God. Later (see Gen 25), when Abraham has other sons, he sends them all away as well.
- Genesis 21:12 tn The imperfect verbal form here draws attention to an action that is underway.
- Genesis 21:12 tn Or perhaps “will be named”; Heb “for in Isaac offspring will be called to you.” The exact meaning of the statement is not clear, but it does indicate that God’s covenantal promises to Abraham will be realized through Isaac, not Ishmael.
- Genesis 21:13 tc The translation follows the Smr, LXX, Syriac, and Vulgate here in adding “great” (cf. 21:18); MT reads simply “a nation.”
Genesis 21:11-13
New International Version
11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son.(A) 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you, because it is through Isaac that your offspring[a] will be reckoned.(B) 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation(C) also, because he is your offspring.”
Footnotes
- Genesis 21:12 Or seed
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