Bible Strands
Genesis 21:12
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks to Abraham to address his grief over sending away Hagar and Ishmael, positioned between Abraham’s distress in Genesis 21:11 and His subsequent promise regarding Ishmael in Genesis 21:13.
The words — The verb יֵרַע (ye.Ra'), meaning "be displeasing" or "distressed," describes the emotional burden Abraham is told to set aside, while the phrase "offspring will be reckoned" denotes a formal covenantal accounting rather than mere biological descent.
The thread — This promise originates in Genesis 17:19 and is later quoted in Hebrews 11:18 and Romans 9:7 to demonstrate that the covenant line is traced exclusively through Isaac.
Why it lands — The text commands Abraham to follow Sarah’s instructions because inheritance is determined by divine promise rather than human priority, requiring readers to accept covenantal boundaries when personal expectations conflict with stated divine accounting.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 11:18 even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
- Romans 9:7 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.”
- Genesis 17:19 But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.
- 1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king.
- 1 Samuel 8:9 Now listen to their voice; but you must solemnly warn them and show them the manner of the king who will reign over them.”
- Genesis 17:21 But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”
- Isaiah 46:10 I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’