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Genesis 21:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 21:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And God was with the lad, and he grew. And he dwelt in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And God was with the lad, and he grew. And he dwelt in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.
Genesis 21:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
20And God was with the lad, and he grew. And he dwelt in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.
21And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran. And his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt.
22And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest.
23Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son`s son. But according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
← Genesis 21:19Genesis 21:21 →
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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 God was with the lad, etc.] To confirm his health, to provide for him the necessaries of life, to protect him from danger in the wilderness where he was, and to prosper and succeed him in temporal things; all which is owing to the providential goodness of God: and he grew; increased in bodily stature, and arrived to manhood; or, “he became great”, in riches and in substance, as Ben Melech interprets it: and dwelt in the wilderness; of Beersheba, where he now was, or of Paran after mentioned, a fit place for a wild man to dwell in, as it was said he should be; and by this means the oracle was fulfilled, (<011612>Genesis 16:12): and became an archer; skilful in the use of the bow and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God was with the lad, &c.--Paran (that is, Arabia), where his posterity has ever dwelt (compare Gen 16:12; also Isa 48:19; Pe1 1:25). his mother took him a wife--On a father's death, the mother looks out for a wife for her son, however young; and as Ishmael was now virtually deprived of his father, his mother set about forming a marriage connection for him, it would seem, among her relatives.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification