But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word "mocking" is a stronger translation than "playing" or "laughing." While Ishmael might have been physically playing, the intensity of the Hebrew word suggests a more deliberate and contemptuous ridicule, possibly aimed at Isaac and the significance of his weaning feast. This wasn't just childish teasing; it was a hostile act that deeply disturbed Sarah and ultimately led to a pivotal family separation.
But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
At a great feast celebrating Isaac's weaning, Sarah witnesses Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, mocking her own son. This incident, likely stemming from Ishmael's jealousy over losing his status as heir, ignites Sarah's intense anger and leads her to demand the expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar. God intervenes, confirming to Abraham that the covenant promise rests solely with Isaac, thus necessitating Ishmael's departure despite Abraham's paternal distress.
The word Sarah uses to describe Ishmael’s actions seems simple, but it carries a weight that ignites a family crisis. What was he really doing?
The Hebrew word translated as 'laughing' or 'mocking' in this verse is complex. While it can mean innocent play, the context here suggests something far more serious.
Beyond Innocent Play
This wasn't just a childish prank; it was a public display of contempt that struck at the heart of God's covenant promise to Abraham.
Two sons, two claims to Abraham’s legacy. This isn't just about sibling rivalry; it's about understanding God's unique plan.
Ask a follow-up
The tension between Ishmael and Isaac, and by extension between Sarah and Hagar, stems from a fundamental difference in their standing before God and Abraham.
The Son of Promise vs. The Son of Privilege
God's plan often bypasses the natural order and human expectations to establish His promises. This event forces Abraham to confront the reality that God’s chosen lineage would not be based on worldly privilege but on divine election.
The interaction between Sarah, Ishmael, and Isaac wasn't just a petty family squabble. It directly flowed from the tension between God's promise of a unique covenant lineage through Isaac and Ishmael's existence as the son of a servant and a rival heir in Abraham's household.
c. 2090 BC
Abraham and Sarah Receive the Promise of Isaac
God promises Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, despite their advanced age and Sarah's previous barrenness.
c. 2088 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian servant, bears Ishmael to Abraham at Sarah's suggestion, fulfilling a lesser promise.
c. 2074 BC— this verse
Birth of Isaac
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, the child of the specific promise and heir of the covenant.
c. 2074 BC
The Feast of Isaac's Weaning
A celebratory feast is held for Isaac's weaning, a significant milestone for the promised heir.
c. 2074 BC
Expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael
Following the incident of Ishmael mocking, Sarah insists Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away.
c. 2074 BC
Ishmael Becomes a Nation
God promises Abraham that Ishmael will also become the father of a great nation, though not the covenant line.
Paul directly connects Ishmael's 'mocking' here to 'persecuting' Isaac, highlighting the spiritual significance of this familial conflict.
Hebrews 11:35This passage speaks of those who were tortured, not accepting deliverance, which echoes the intense suffering and distress caused by persecution, as exemplified by Ishmael's actions towards Isaac.
Romans 9:8This verse explains that 'the children of the promise are counted as the offspring,' directly referencing the distinction God makes between Isaac, the son of promise, and Ishmael, the son born according to the flesh, which is the core issue in Genesis 21:9.
Genesis 16:12This earlier prophecy about Ishmael describes him as a 'wild donkey of a man,' hinting at the unruly and aggressive spirit that would lead to the 'mocking' Sarah witnessed.
Matthew 5:11Jesus states, 'Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me,' which relates to Sarah's perspective that Ishmael's actions, though perhaps playful to him, were a form of persecution against the 'promised seed.'
cambridgeGenesis 21:9: "And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking."
9 . mocking ] Better, as R.V. marg., playing . The original is the same verb, in the intensive mood, which is rendered “laugh,” e.g. in Genesis 21:6 . There is no need to introduce the meaning of “mockery,” which would require an object. The verb used absolutely, and rendered, as in the marg., gives a suitable sense. The LXX and Latin so render it, adding words of explanation: παίζοντα μετὰ Ἰσ…
gillGenesis 21:9: "And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking."
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian,.... That is, Ishmael, who is not expressed by name, but described by being a son of Hagar, a servant of Sarah's, and an Egyptian woman; all which seems to be observed by way of slight, both to Hagar and her son: which she had born unto Abraham; not unto Sarah, as she proposed to herself, when she gave her maid to Abraham, Genesis 16:2. This son of A…
The word "mocking" is a stronger translation than "playing" or "laughing." While Ishmael might have been physically playing, the intensity of the Hebrew word suggests a more deliberate and contemptuous ridicule, possibly aimed at Isaac and the significance of his weaning feast. This wasn't just childish teasing; it was a hostile act that deeply disturbed Sarah and ultimately led to a pivotal family separation.
At a great feast celebrating Isaac's weaning, Sarah witnesses Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, mocking her own son. This incident, likely stemming from Ishmael's jealousy over losing his status as heir, ignites Sarah's intense anger and leads her to demand the expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar. God intervenes, confirming to Abraham that the covenant promise rests solely with Isaac, thus necessitating Ishmael's departure despite Abraham's paternal distress.
At a great feast celebrating Isaac's weaning, Sarah witnesses Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, mocking her own son. This incident, likely stemming from Ishmael's jealousy over losing his status as heir, ignites Sarah's intense anger and leads her to demand the expulsion of Ishmael and Hagar. God intervenes, confirming to Abraham that the covenant promise rests solely with Isaac, thus necessitating Ishmael's departure despite Abraham's paternal distress.
"But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing." — The word "mocking" is a stronger translation than "playing" or "laughing." While Ishmael might have been physically playing, the intensity of the Hebrew word suggests a more deliberate and contemptuo…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026