Devine Scripture

Genesis 21:8

What does Genesis 21:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:8 means

As Isaac grew, he reached the age of weaning, a significant milestone in ancient culture, typically occurring between two and three years old. Abraham marked this occasion with a 'great feast,' indicating the immense joy and celebration surrounding Isaac's development. This feast publicly affirmed Isaac's place as the legitimate and thriving heir, solidifying his position within the family and the covenant, providing a setting for the household tensions soon to erupt.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the child was old enough to be taken from the breast, Abraham made a great feast.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the lad groweth, and is weaned, and Abraham maketh a great banquet in the day of Isaac's being weaned;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the child grew, and was weaned: and Abraham made a great feast on the day of his weaning.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the child grew, and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.

Context

This verse moves forward in time, showing Isaac's growth from infancy to toddlerhood. The celebration of his weaning highlights his health and progress, reinforcing his status as the long-awaited heir. This joyous occasion, however, immediately precedes the pivotal conflict that will reshape Abraham's household, setting up a sharp contrast between celebration and discord.

v.7And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should give children suck? for I have borne him a son in his old age.

v.8This passage

v.9And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Samuel 3:20

    So Abner came to David to Hebron, and twenty men with him. And David made Abner and the men that were with him a feast.

  • Judges 14:12

    And Samson said unto them, Let me now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can declare it unto me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty linen garments and thirty changes of raiment;

  • Genesis 40:20

    And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and the head of the chief baker among his servants.

  • Esther 1:3

    in the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him;

  • 1 Samuel 25:36

    And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal’s heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light.

  • Hosea 1:8

    Now when she had weaned Lo-ruhamah, she conceived, and bare a son.

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