Bible Strands
Genesis 21:17
Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God answers Hagar’s weeping by sending His angel from heaven to address her at the moment she has withdrawn to watch the boy die. The angel speaks directly to Hagar while the boy lies nearby.
The words — The text foregrounds וַ/יִּשְמַ֣ע (va/i.yish.Ma'), translated "and he heard," and ק֣וֹל (Kol), meaning "the sound/voice." These terms mark God’s direct attention to the audible distress of the boy and Hagar.
The thread — This motif of divine hearing followed by angelic or direct intervention runs through Genesis 16:11, Psalm 50:15, and Exodus 3:7. Each reference ties God’s perception of affliction to a subsequent command or promise of deliverance.
Why it lands — The passage instructs Hagar to cease fear because God’s hearing has already guaranteed the boy’s survival. It requires the reader to accept that divine response precedes and secures human resolution in desperate situations.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 16:11 The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Exodus 3:7 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings.
- Psalms 91:15 When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.
- Genesis 15:1 After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
- Genesis 16:9 So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.”
- Genesis 46:3 “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
- Exodus 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.
- Exodus 22:23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to Me in distress, I will surely hear their cry.
- Exodus 22:27 because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.