Genesis 21:14
What does Genesis 21:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Genesis 21:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Genesis 21:14 means
Obeying God’s difficult command, Abraham rose early to send Hagar and Ishmael away. He provided them with essential provisions: bread and a 'bottle' (likely a waterskin) of water. Placing these on Hagar's shoulder, along with 'the child' (Ishmael was around 16 years old, suggesting he was still dependent or seen as such), indicates a definitive and painful severance. Hagar then departed, wandering aimlessly in the wilderness, unsure of their future.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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 the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer–sheba.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And early in the morning Abraham got up, and gave Hagar some bread and a water-skin, and put the boy on her back, and sent her away: and she went, wandering in the waste land of Beer-sheba.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Abraham riseth early in the morning, and taketh bread, and a bottle of water, and giveth unto Hagar (placing <FI>it<Fi> on her shoulder), also the lad, and sendeth her out; and she goeth on, and goeth astray in the wilderness of Beer-Sheba;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So Abraham rose up in the morning, and taking bread and a bottle of water, put it upon her shoulder, and delivered the boy, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Bersabee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a flask of water, and gave [it] to Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder — and the child, and sent her away. And she departed, and wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.
Context
Following God's clear instructions in verses 12-13, Abraham acts decisively here to carry out the painful expulsion. This verse details the immediate consequence of the divine decree, depicting the departure of Hagar and Ishmael and setting them on a path of vulnerability. This action initiates a new phase of their story, marked by immediate struggle in the wilderness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 22:19
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.
- Galatians 4:23
Howbeit the son by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise.
- Genesis 46:1
And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beer-sheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
- Genesis 24:54
And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night; and they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master.
- Genesis 21:33
And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
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