Devine Scripture

Genesis 21:17

What does Genesis 21:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:17 means

In their dire straits, God heard the voice of the lad, Ishmael, even though Hagar was the one weeping. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, instructing her not to fear and revealing that God had heard Ishmael’s plea. This demonstrates God's compassionate attentiveness to the distressed, especially children, and reaffirms His earlier promise to Abraham concerning Ishmael’s future, providing immediate comfort and hope.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the boy's cry came to the ears of God; and the angel of God said to Hagar from heaven, Hagar, why are you weeping? have no fear, for the child's cry has come to the ears of God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God heareth the voice of the youth; and the messenger of God calleth unto Hagar from the heavens, and saith to her, `What to thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath hearkened unto the voice of the youth where he <FI>is<Fi> ;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God heard the voice of the boy: and an angel of God called to Agar from heaven, saying: What art thou doing, Agar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the boy, from the place wherein he is.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod heard the voice of the lad. And the Angel ofGod called to Hagar from the heavens, and said to her, What [aileth] thee, Hagar? Fear not; forGod hath heard the voice of the lad there, where he is.

Context

This verse brings a sudden, life-saving divine intervention, directly responding to the desperate plight of Hagar and Ishmael detailed in verses 15-16. God's hearing of the 'lad's voice' is significant, highlighting His specific care for Ishmael and setting the stage for the miraculous provision that will follow. This moment pivots the narrative from impending death to renewed hope.

v.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.

v.17This passage

v.18Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thy hand; for I will make him a great nation.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 50:15

    And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

  • 1 Samuel 11:5

    And, behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh.

  • 2 Kings 13:23

    But Jehovah was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

  • Matthew 15:32

    And Jesus called unto him his disciples, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat: and I would not send them away fasting, lest haply they faint on the way.

  • Isaiah 22:1

    The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

  • Exodus 14:13

    And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will work for you to-day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to-day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

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