BibleWord.ai› Bible› Genesis› Chapter 21› Verse 16

Genesis 21:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 21:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot. For she said, Let me not look upon the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot. For she said, Let me not look upon the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.
Genesis 21:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13And also of the son of the handmaid will I make a nation, because he is thy seed.
14And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and [gave her] the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
15And the water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot. For she said, Let me not look upon the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.
17And God heard the voice of the lad. And the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not. For God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.
18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand. For I will make him a great nation.
19And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.
← Genesis 21:15Genesis 21:17 →
← Full Chapter 21 Genesis Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And she went and sat her down over against [him], a good way off, etc.] Not being able to bear the sight of her child in his agonies, and, as she apprehended, ready to expire, she went from the place where she had laid him, and sat down under one of the shrubs or trees to shade herself, right over against that where her child was, though at some distance, which is next expressed: as it were a bowshot; about as far off from him as an arrow can be shot, or is usually shot out of a bow; according to the Jews this was about half a mile, for they say f1230 two bowshots make a mile; here she sat waiting what would be the issue, whether life or death, which last she expected: for she said, let me…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“21:16 a hundred yards (literally a bowshot): This description connects with Ishmael’s vocation (21:20).”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Genesis 21 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification