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.

◄ Genesis 21:17 ►

New International Version
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

New Living Translation
But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

English Standard Version
And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

New American Standard Bible
God heard the boy crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

NASB 1995
God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

NASB 1977
And God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then God heard the voice of the boy crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Amplified Bible
God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy from where he is [resting].

Christian Standard Bible
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy crying from the place where he is.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy from the place where he is.

American Standard 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.

Contemporary English Version
When God heard the boy crying, the angel of God called out to Hagar from heaven and said, "Hagar, why are you worried? Don't be afraid. I have heard your son crying.

English Revised 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God heard the boy crying, and the Messenger of God called to Hagar from heaven. "What's the matter, Hagar?" he asked her. "Don't be afraid! God has heard the boy crying from the bushes.

Good News Translation
God heard the boy crying, and from heaven the angel of God spoke to Hagar, "What are you troubled about, Hagar? Don't be afraid. God has heard the boy crying.

International Standard Version
God heard the boy's voice, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. He asked her, "What's wrong with you, Hagar? Don't be afraid, because God has heard the voice of the youth where he is.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
But God heard the boy's voice. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and asked her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Don't be afraid, for God has heard the boy's voice right where he is crying.

New Heart English Bible
And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from the sky and said to her, "What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Webster's Bible Translation
And God heard the voice of the lad: and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

World English Bible
God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And God hears the voice of the youth; and the messenger of God calls to Hagar from the heavens and says to her, “What to you, Hagar? Do not fear; for God has listened to the voice of the youth where he [is];

Young's Literal Translation
And God heareth the voice of the youth; and the messenger of God calleth unto Hagar from the heavens, and saith to her, 'What to thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath hearkened unto the voice of the youth where he is;

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will hear the voice of the child: and the messenger of God will call to Hagar from the heavens, and will say to her, What to thee Hagar? thou shalt not fear, for God heard the voice of the child, from where he is.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And God heard the voice of the boy: and an angel of God called to Agar from heaven, saying: What art thou doing, Agar? fear not: for God hath heard the voice of the boy, from the place wherein he is.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But God heard the voice of the boy. And an Angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, saying: “What are you doing, Hagar? Do not be afraid. For God has heeded the voice of the boy, from the place where he is.

New American Bible
God heard the boy’s voice, and God’s angel called to Hagar from heaven: “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not fear; God has heard the boy’s voice in this plight of his.

New Revised Standard Version
And God heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the LORD heard the voice of the boy; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, and said to her, What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not; for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God heard the voice of the boy and the Angel of God called to Hagar from Heaven and said to her, “What is happening to you Hagar? Do not be afraid, because God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God heard the voice of the child from the place where he was, and an angel of God called Agar out of heaven, and said to her, What is it, Agar? fear not, for God has heard the voice of the child from the place where he is.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sarah Turns Against Hagar
…16Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17Then 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. 18Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

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.

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.

Psalm 145:19
He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 18:6
In my distress I called upon the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for His help reached His ears.

Psalm 50:15
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 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.

Isaiah 65:24
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

2 Kings 20:5
“Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD.

1 Samuel 1:20
So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

1 Kings 17:22
And the LORD listened to the voice of Elijah, and the child’s life returned to him, and he lived.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 18:19
Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven.

Luke 1:13
But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.

Luke 18:7-8
Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them? / I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Treasury of Scripture

And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, What ails you, Hagar? fear not; for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

heard.

Genesis 16:11
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.

Exodus 3:7
And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Exodus 22:23,27
If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; …

the angel.

Genesis 16:9,11
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands…

What.

Judges 18:23
And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company?

1 Samuel 11:5
And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

Isaiah 22:1
The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops?

fear.

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 46:3
And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Exodus 14:13
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

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Afraid Aileth Ails Angel Boy Boy's Child's Cry Crying Ears Fear Hagar Heard Heareth Heaven Heavens Lad Matter Messenger Sky Troubles Voice Weeping Youth

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Afraid Aileth Ails Angel Boy Boy's Child's Cry Crying Ears Fear Hagar Heard Heareth Heaven Heavens Lad Matter Messenger Sky Troubles Voice Weeping Youth

Genesis 21

1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.

Berean Study Bible

And God heard
The Hebrew root for "heard" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but also understanding and responding. This indicates God's attentiveness and readiness to act. In the broader biblical narrative, God's hearing often precedes divine intervention, underscoring His active involvement in human affairs. This phrase reassures believers of God's omnipresence and His willingness to listen to the cries of those in distress.

the voice of the boy
The "boy" refers to Ishmael, Abraham's son with Hagar. The Hebrew word for "voice" is "קוֹל" (qol), which can mean sound or cry. This highlights the innocence and vulnerability of Ishmael, emphasizing that God is attentive to the cries of the helpless. It serves as a reminder that God cares for all His creation, regardless of their status or circumstances.

and the angel of God
The term "angel" comes from the Hebrew "מַלְאָךְ" (mal'akh), meaning messenger. In the Old Testament, angels often serve as intermediaries between God and humans, delivering messages or providing guidance. The presence of the angel signifies divine intervention and assurance, reinforcing the idea that God is actively involved in the lives of His people.

called to Hagar from heaven
The act of calling from "heaven" signifies a divine communication that transcends earthly limitations. Heaven, in biblical terms, is the dwelling place of God, symbolizing His authority and power. This phrase emphasizes the direct and personal nature of God's communication with Hagar, highlighting His compassion and concern for her plight.

and said to her, 'What is wrong, Hagar?'
This question is not for God's benefit, as He is omniscient, but rather to engage Hagar in a dialogue that acknowledges her distress. By addressing her by name, God affirms her identity and worth, demonstrating His personal care and attention. This interaction reflects God's desire for a personal relationship with each individual.

Do not be afraid
This command is a common biblical reassurance, found throughout Scripture when God or His messengers appear to humans. Fear is a natural human response to the divine, but God's message is one of peace and assurance. This phrase encourages believers to trust in God's protection and provision, even in dire circumstances.

for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies
Reiterating that God has "heard" Ishmael's voice emphasizes His responsiveness and care. The phrase "where he lies" indicates God's awareness of Ishmael's specific situation and location, underscoring His intimate knowledge of our circumstances. This assurance of God's attentive presence provides comfort and hope, reminding believers that no situation is beyond His reach or concern.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) The angel of God.--In Genesis 16:7 it was "the angel of Jehovah" which appeared unto Hagar; here it is the angel of Elohim. It is impossible not to be struck with this exact use of the names of Deity. Hagar was then still a member of Abraham's family; here she is so no longer; and it is Elohim, and not Jehovah, the covenant God of the chosen race, who saves her.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - And God - Elohim; Hagar and Ishmael having now been removed from the care and superintendence of the covenant God to the guidance and providence of God the ruler of all nations (Keil) - heard the voice of the lad; - praying (Inglis), or weeping, ut supra - and the angel of God - Maleach Elohim; not Maleach Jehovah, as in Genesis 16:7-13, for the reason above specified (Hengstenberg, Quarry) - called to Hagar out of heaven, - it may be inferred there was no external appearance or theophaneia, such as was vouchsafed to her when wandering in the wilderness of Shut (Genesis 16:7) - and said unto her, What aileth thee (literally, What to thee?) Hagar? fear not; - so the word of Jehovah addressed Abram (Genesis 15:1), Isaac (Genesis 26:4), Daniel (Daniel 10:12), and John (Revelation 1:17) - for God hath heard the voice of the lad - i.e. the voice (perhaps the mute cry) of the lad's misery, and in that also the audible sob of Hagar's weeping. It is net said that either Ishmael or his mother prayed to God in their distress. Hence the Divine interposition on their behalf non quid a se peterent, sed quid servo suo Abrahae de Ismaele pollicitus foret, respexit (Calvin) - where he is - an ellipsis for from, or in, the place where he is; ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὑ ἐστιν (LXX.); ex loco ubi est (Calvin); meaning either "in his helpless condition" (Keil), or out in the desolate wilderness, as contrasted with the house of Abraham (Calvin).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Then God
אֱלֹהִים֮ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

heard
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע (way·yiš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the voice
ק֣וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of the boy,
הַנַּעַר֒ (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

and the angel
מַלְאַ֨ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

of God
אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

called
וַיִּקְרָא֩ (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Hagar
הָגָר֙ (hā·ḡār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1904: Hagar

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

heaven,
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

“What is wrong,
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

Hagar?
הָגָ֑ר (hā·ḡār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1904: Hagar

Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid,
תִּ֣ירְאִ֔י (tî·rə·’î)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

God
אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has heard
שָׁמַ֧ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the voice
ק֥וֹל (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of the boy
הַנַּ֖עַר (han·na·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer

where
בַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ba·’ă·šer)
Preposition-b | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he
הוּא־ (hū-)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

lies.
שָֽׁם׃ (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

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OT Law: Genesis 21:17 God heard the voice of the boy (Gen. Ge Gn)