Genesis 21:2-3
And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just state that Sarah had a child; it emphasizes that this happened "at the set time" God had promised. This detail highlights God's faithfulness not only in fulfilling His promise but also in doing so with perfect timing, a precision that points beyond mere human coincidence to divine orchestration.
After years of waiting and doubt, God miraculously fulfills His promise by enabling the elderly Sarah to conceive and give birth to Abraham's son, Isaac, precisely at the time He had foretold. This joyous event, while a testament to God's faithfulness, soon sets the stage for conflict within Abraham's household, as the unique status of Isaac begins to overshadow Abraham's older son, Ishmael.
Sarah's conception and birth of Isaac didn't just happen. It was meticulously planned and executed by God.
The verse highlights two crucial elements about Isaac's birth: Sarah's advanced age and the fulfillment occurring 'at the set time.' This wasn't a natural occurrence; it was a divine intervention.
This miraculous birth wasn't just a sign of God's power, but a testament to the power of His spoken Word and Abraham and Sarah's growing faith.
The birth of Isaac is deeply rooted in God's promise. The commentators emphasize that the visitation and the fulfillment were 'as He had said' and 'as He had spoken.'
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.
Yitschaq · Hebrew Proper Noun
Literally 'he laughs,' this name commemorates the laughter of disbelief or joy and serves as a reminder of God's ability to do the miraculous beyond human capacity.
c. 2166 BC
God's Promise to Abraham
God promises Abraham that he will have many descendants and that his wife, who is barren and elderly, will bear a son. This promise is reiterated and confirmed over many years.
c. 2165 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Abraham's wife Sarah, unable to bear a child, offers her maidservant Hagar to Abraham. Hagar conceives and bears Ishmael. This is not the promised son.
c. 2066 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God establishes a formal covenant with Abraham, reaffirming the promise of numerous descendants and a special land. The sign of circumcision is instituted.
c. 2066 BC— this verse
Divine Promise of Isaac
God appears to Abraham again, this time explicitly stating that Sarah will bear a son, Isaac, within the year, and that through him the covenant will continue.
c. 2065 BC
Birth of Isaac
Sarah conceives and gives birth to Isaac at the exact time God foretold, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham and Sarah in their extreme old age.
This passage directly references Sarah's faith in conceiving Isaac, highlighting the extraordinary nature of her conception by faith when she was 'past age,' underscoring God's faithfulness to His promise.
Galatians 4:22-23Paul uses the births of Ishmael and Isaac allegorically, contrasting the 'son of the slave woman' born of natural means with the 'son of the free woman' born by promise, which directly parallels the miraculous conception described in Genesis 21:2.
Romans 9:7-9This passage reiterates the theme that the true 'seed' of Abraham would be reckoned through Isaac, emphasizing that God's promise and its fulfillment, as seen in Isaac's birth, were not based on human lineage but on divine word and action.
Luke 1:36-37The conception of John the Baptist by Elizabeth, who was also 'barren' and 'well advanced in years,' mirrors the miraculous circumstances of Isaac's birth and serves as a New Testament parallel to God fulfilling His promises in seemingly impossible situations.
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 doesn't just state that Sarah had a child; it emphasizes that this happened "at the set time" God had promised. This detail highlights God's faithfulness not only in fulfilling His promise but also in doing so with perfect timing, a precision that points beyond mere human coincidence to divine orchestration.
After years of waiting and doubt, God miraculously fulfills His promise by enabling the elderly Sarah to conceive and give birth to Abraham's son, Isaac, precisely at the time He had foretold. This joyous event, while a testament to God's faithfulness, soon sets the stage for conflict within Abraham's household, as the unique status of Isaac begins to overshadow Abraham's older son, Ishmael.
After years of waiting and doubt, God miraculously fulfills His promise by enabling the elderly Sarah to conceive and give birth to Abraham's son, Isaac, precisely at the time He had foretold. This joyous event, while a testament to God's faithfulness, soon sets the stage for conflict within Abraham's household, as the unique status of Isaac begins to overshadow Abraham's older son, Ishmael.
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"And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him. Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac." — The verse doesn't just state that Sarah had a child; it emphasizes that this happened "at the set time" God had promised. This detail highlights God's faithfulness not only in fulfilling His promise…
