Bible Strands
Genesis 21:20
And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports on Ishmael's condition immediately after Hagar locates water for him. This observation bridges the rescue episode and the subsequent account of his permanent settlement in Paran.
The words — וַיִּגְדַּל (va/yigDal) literally renders "and he grew up," while בַּמִּדְבָּר (ba/midBar) means "in the wilderness." These terms mark physical maturation and geographic displacement without adding theological commentary.
The thread — The formula of divine accompaniment appears with Isaac's descendants in Genesis 28:15 and with Joseph in Genesis 39:21. It also fulfills the earlier oracle regarding Ishmael's desolate existence in Genesis 16:12.
Why it lands — The verse records concrete outcomes—growth, residence, and archery skill—before noting God's presence as the background condition. A reader must separate the factual progression of events from later theological claims about providence.
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 was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.
Cross-references
- Genesis 28:15 Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
- Genesis 39:21 the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
- Genesis 16:12 He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
- Genesis 10:9 He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.”
- Genesis 17:20 As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
- Genesis 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
- Genesis 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
- Genesis 49:23 The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility.
- Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
- Judges 13:24 So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the LORD blessed him.