Genesis 21:2
And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights Sarah’s conception and birth of Isaac precisely "at the set time" God had promised, underscoring that this wasn't just a delayed fulfillment but a divinely appointed moment. This emphasizes God's faithfulness not only in keeping His promises but also in orchestrating them with perfect timing.
After years of waiting and doubt, God miraculously fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah by enabling Sarah, in her old age, to conceive and give birth to a son named Isaac. This joyous event marks the beginning of the lineage through which God's promises would continue, though it also sets the stage for future conflicts as Abraham's other son, Ishmael, complicates the family dynamic.
Imagine waiting decades for a child, and then, when your bodies are long past their prime, a miracle happens. This wasn't just any birth; it was a testament to God's power defying natural limitations.
The birth of Isaac wasn't a normal biological event. Both Abraham and Sarah were far beyond the age of natural conception. Their bodies were, in essence, 'as good as dead' regarding procreation. Yet, Sarah conceived.
Defying Biology
God doesn't just keep His promises; He keeps them at the exact moment He intends. The birth of Isaac wasn't just 'on time,' it was the appointed time.
The phrase 'at the set time' is crucial. It signifies that Isaac's birth was not a spontaneous event or a deviation from God's plan. It occurred precisely when and how God had ordained.
The Appointed Hour
Understand the original words
harah · Hebrew Verb
The condition of carrying offspring in the womb, often viewed in Scripture as a blessing from God and a sign of His sovereign power over life.
Elohim · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew name for God, emphasizing His power, majesty, and creative authority as the supreme ruler of the universe.
This verse marks a pivotal fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham and Sarah after many years of waiting and doubt. The birth of Isaac, occurring precisely at the 'set time' God had declared, underscores God's faithfulness and His ability to act beyond natural limitations.
c. 2166 BC
God promises Abraham a son
God reiterates His promise to Abraham that he will have a son, and that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. Abraham is 99 years old.
c. 2166 BC
God changes Abram and Sarai's names
God renames Abram to Abraham ('father of many nations') and Sarai to Sarah ('princess') and institutes circumcision as a sign of the covenant.
c. 2165 BC
The birth of Ishmael
Abraham's wife Sarah, unable to conceive, gives her maid Hagar to Abraham. Hagar conceives and bears Ishmael.
c. 2090 BC
The Lord visits Abraham
Three visitors appear to Abraham, and one, identified with the Lord, confirms that Sarah will bear a son within a year.
c. 2089 BC
This passage directly references Sarah's faith in conceiving Isaac, highlighting that her ability to bear a child in her old age was an act of faith in God's faithfulness to His promise.
Galatians 4:22-23Paul uses the births of Ishmael and Isaac as an allegory, contrasting those born 'according to the flesh' with those born 'by promise,' which directly illuminates the significance of Isaac's birth as promised and not merely natural.
Psalm 127:3This psalm emphasizes that children are a gift from the Lord, reinforcing the understanding that Isaac's birth, especially in such extraordinary circumstances, was a divine provision and blessing.
Genesis 17:15-16This earlier passage records God's direct affirmation of the covenant promise through Sarah and the naming of her son, providing the foundational context for the fulfillment described in Genesis 21:2.
Luke 1:36-37The miraculous conception of John the Baptist, and later Jesus, mirrors Isaac's birth in that both were extraordinary fulfillments of God's word, demonstrating that nothing is impossible with God.
gillGenesis 21:2: "For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him."
For Sarah conceived,.... This explains what is meant by the Lord's visiting her, and doing to her according to his word, see Hebrews 11:11 , and bare Abraham a son in his old age; which circumstance is remarked, that the favour might appear the greater, and the more wonderful; or, "unto", or "for his old age" (n), for the comfort of him in his old age, who having lived so…
calvinGenesis 21:1-34: "And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken."
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Et dixit Deus ad Abraham, Ne displiceat in oculis tuis super puero, et super ancilla tua: in omnibus quae dixerit tibi Sarah, audi vocem ejus: quia in Ishac vocabitur…
The verse highlights Sarah’s conception and birth of Isaac precisely "at the set time" God had promised, underscoring that this wasn't just a delayed fulfillment but a divinely appointed moment. This emphasizes God's faithfulness not only in keeping His promises but also in orchestrating them with perfect timing.
After years of waiting and doubt, God miraculously fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah by enabling Sarah, in her old age, to conceive and give birth to a son named Isaac. This joyous event marks the beginning of the lineage through which God's promises would continue, though it also sets the stage for future conflicts as Abraham's other son, Ishmael, complicates the family dynamic.
After years of waiting and doubt, God miraculously fulfills His promise to Abraham and Sarah by enabling Sarah, in her old age, to conceive and give birth to a son named Isaac. This joyous event marks the beginning of the lineage through which God's promises would continue, though it also sets the stage for future conflicts as Abraham's other son, Ishmael, complicates the family dynamic.
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Isaac is born
Sarah conceives and at the appointed time gives birth to Isaac. This event fulfills God's promise to Abraham and Sarah.
c. 2089 BC
Hagar and Ishmael are sent away
Tensions rise between Sarah and Hagar, leading Abraham to send Hagar and their son Ishmael into the wilderness.
c. 2089 BC
Covenant with Abimelech
Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, at Beersheba, securing his rights to a well.
"And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him." — The verse highlights Sarah’s conception and birth of Isaac precisely "at the set time" God had promised, underscoring that this wasn't just a delayed fulfillment but a divinely appointed moment. This…
