Genesis 21:9

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 21:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.
Genesis 21:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.

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 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, etc.] 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, (<011602>Genesis 16:2). This son of Abraham she saw mocking; either at the entertainment made at the weaning of Isaac; or rather at Isaac himself, laughing at his name, and treating him with contempt as his younger brother, and boasting that he was the firstborn, and that the inheritance belonged to him; and threatening what he…”
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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
“Sarah saw the son of Hagar . . . mocking--Ishmael was aware of the great change in his prospects, and under the impulse of irritated or resentful feelings, in which he was probably joined by his mother, treated the young heir with derision and probably some violence (Gal 4:29).”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification