Genesis 21

Genesis 21:1

VIsited] That is to say, shewed himselfe to bee present with her in grace and vertue, giving miraculously, new power to conceive.

Genesis 21:6

Made me to laugh] She hath reference to her laughing, Genesis 18:12. as if she should say, now have I truely occasion to laugh for joy, as I did before through wonder.

Genesis 21:7

For I have] Words of admiration, as if she said, that I should, &c.

Genesis 21:9

Mocking] Saint Paul, Galatians 4:29 calleth this scoffe a persecution, which sheweth that there was malice, hatred, and stoutnesse in it.

Genesis 21:10

She said] Though it is manifest, that there was some carnall and vicious passion in Sarah: yet all this was done by the secret promise of God: to separate Ishmael from the blessed progeny, in which he had no share. See Gen. 25. 6. and 36. 6, 8.

Genesis 21:12

Shall thy] The progeny which shall beare thy name, and shall participate in the spirituall right of the holy race, whereof I have made thee head, shall bee borne unto thee by Isaac, and not by Ishmael.

Genesis 21:14

Beersheba] The place is so called here, by way of anticipation, 31.

Genesis 21:17

Where he is] To shew, that God was even present in the desert, in grace, and power.

Genesis 21:18

Hold him] The Italian hath, Strengthen thy selfe to have a care of him] The Hebrew hath it, strengthen thy hand ver him.

Genesis 21:19

Opened] Whether sorrow did trouble her judgement, or whether God did by miracle hinder her sight, or whether it was dazled through the long distance, all obstacles were taken away in a moment, and the remedy to her want was shewed her.

Genesis 21:20

Was with] Went along with him, with his blessing in temporall things, Genesis 17:20 Archer] both in warre and hunting.

Genesis 21:23

That thou] In this Oath as in all other oathes there is a promise in these words, thou shalt doe, and an execration, If thou] as the Italian hath it in stead ofThat thou] which must be thus applyed, that God may judge thee, and curse thee, &c. if thou lyest.

Genesis 21:25

Reproved] The Italian hath, complained to] Taken away] debarring Abraham, and his servants who had digged it, from the use of it. verse 30. See Genesis 26:15; Genesis 26:18; Genesis 26:20-22.

Genesis 21:30

That they] That thou art King accepting this present from me, for an acknowledgement that I have digged this well in thy land, I may bee out of strife with thy subjects: and thou giving credit to my saying, namely, that I have digged it, maist command thy servants to be silent.

Genesis 21:31

Beersheba] That is to say, a well of swearing.

Genesis 21:33

A grove] It seemeth he used it for a retyring place, to doe his exercises of piety, to pray and sacrifice: which example having brought in a superstitious opinion amongst many, as if the Deity were present in such shady places, God did forbid the use of these groves, neere to holy places, Deuteronomy 16:21. and often condemneth the service that is done there in imitation of the Pagans.