Devine Scripture

Genesis 21:19

What does Genesis 21:19 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:19 means

In a miraculous moment, God 'opened her eyes,' enabling Hagar to see a previously unseen well of water. This was not merely a physical discovery but a divine revelation, signifying God's direct intervention to provide for their needs. She then acted promptly, filling her waterskin and giving Ishmael a life-sustaining drink, illustrating God's timely provision and His direct answer to their desperate prayers in the wilderness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And 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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then God made her eyes open, and she saw a water-spring, and she got water in the skin and gave the boy a drink.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And God openeth her eyes, and she seeth a well of water, and she goeth and filleth the bottle <FI>with<Fi> water, and causeth the youth to drink;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And God opened her eyes: and she saw a well of water, and went and filled the bottle, and gave the boy to drink.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

AndGod opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the flask with water, and gave the lad drink.

Context

This verse immediately delivers the tangible provision that dramatically resolves the life-threatening crisis in the wilderness. God's opening of Hagar's eyes highlights His supernatural intervention, providing a clear solution to their thirst. This act of divine provision secures their survival and allows the narrative to shift from a moment of crisis to the onward journey of Ishmael's life.

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

v.19This passage

v.20And God was with the lad, and he grew; and he dwelt in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 24:16

    But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

  • Numbers 22:31

    Then Jehovah opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face.

  • Isaiah 35:5

    Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

  • 2 Kings 6:17

    And Elisha prayed, and said, Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

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