Genesis 21:5

What does Genesis 21:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:5 means

This verse reiterates Abraham’s age at Isaac's birth: one hundred years old. This detail emphasizes the extraordinary nature of the event, reinforcing that Isaac's birth was not due to natural circumstances but was a direct, miraculous intervention of God. It highlights the vast difference between human capability and divine power, cementing the truth that God is the one who brings His promises to pass, regardless of seemingly impossible conditions.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And Abraham was an hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Abraham was a hundred years old, when his son Isaac was born unto him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now Abraham was a hundred years old when the birth of Isaac took place.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Abraham <FI>is<Fi> a son of a hundred years in Isaac his son being born to him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

When he was a hundred years old: for at this age of his father, was Isaac born.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

Context

This verse acts as a final emphatic statement regarding the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth, reinforcing the age previously mentioned (Genesis 17:17, 24). It serves as a concluding thought on the direct fulfillment of God's promise before the narrative shifts to Sarah's joyful, and somewhat ironic, reflection.

v.4And Abraham circumcised his son Isaac when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.

v.5This passage

v.6And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh; every one that heareth will laugh with me.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 4:19

    And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb;

  • Genesis 17:17

    Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear?

  • Genesis 17:1

    And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Related questions readers ask

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Genesis 21:5.