Genesis 21:9
New International Version
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking,

New Living Translation
But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac.

English Standard Version
But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing.

Berean Standard Bible
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,

King James Bible
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

New King James Version
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing.

New American Standard Bible
Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking Isaac.

NASB 1995
Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

NASB 1977
Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing in jest.

Amplified Bible
Now [as time went on] Sarah saw [Ishmael] the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking [Isaac].

Christian Standard Bible
But Sarah saw the son mocking—the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Sarah saw the son mocking—the one Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham.

American Standard Version
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.

English Revised Version
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne unto Abraham, mocking.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sarah saw that Abraham's son by Hagar the Egyptian was laughing at Isaac.

Good News Translation
One day Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham, was playing with Sarah's son Isaac.

International Standard Version
Nevertheless, when Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian—whom Hagar had borne to Abraham—making fun of Isaac,

Majority Standard Bible
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,

NET Bible
But Sarah noticed the son of Hagar the Egyptian--the son whom Hagar had borne to Abraham--mocking.

New Heart English Bible
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

World English Bible
Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Sarah sees the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she has borne to Abraham, mocking,

Young's Literal Translation
and Sarah seeth the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she hath borne to Abraham, mocking,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Sarah will see the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she brought forth to Abraham, laughing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Sara had seen the son of Agar the Egyptian playing with Isaac her son, she said to Abraham:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Sarah had seen the son of Hagar the Egyptian playing with her son Isaac, she said to Abraham:

New American Bible
Sarah noticed the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing with her son Isaac;

New Revised Standard Version
But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, playing with her son Isaac.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar, the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Sara saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian laughing, to whom Hagar had given birth by Abraham.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne unto Abraham, making sport.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Sarrha having seen the son of Agar the Egyptian who was born to Abraam, sporting with Isaac her son,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sarah Turns Against Hagar
9But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, 10and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”…

Cross References
Galatians 4:29
At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now.

Genesis 16:4-5
And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress. / Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me.”

Genesis 16:15
And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.

Genesis 17:19-21
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. / 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. / But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.”

Genesis 25:6
But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.

Genesis 37:4
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.

Exodus 1:10
Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, or they will increase even more; and if a war breaks out, they may join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.”

1 Samuel 1:6
Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.

1 Samuel 18:9
And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.

2 Samuel 2:14-16
Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied. / So they got up and were counted off—twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth son of Saul, and twelve for David. / Then each man grabbed his opponent by the head and thrust his sword into his opponent’s side, and they all fell together. So this place, which is in Gibeon, is called Helkath-hazzurim.

Psalm 35:19
Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice.

Psalm 69:4
Those who hate me without cause outnumber the hairs of my head; many are those who would destroy me—my enemies for no reason. Though I did not steal, I must repay.

Psalm 106:16
In the camp they envied Moses, as well as Aaron, the holy one of the LORD.

Proverbs 22:10
Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.

Isaiah 11:13
Then the jealousy of Ephraim will depart, and the adversaries of Judah will be cut off. Ephraim will no longer envy Judah, nor will Judah harass Ephraim.


Treasury of Scripture

And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born to Abraham, mocking.

Sarah.

Genesis 16:3-6,15
And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife…

Genesis 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Egyptian.

Genesis 16:1,15
Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar…

mocking.

2 Kings 2:23,24
And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head…

2 Chronicles 30:10
So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

2 Chronicles 36:16
But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.

Jump to Previous
Abraham Born Borne Egyptian Hagar Isaac Making Mocking Playing Sarah Sport
Jump to Next
Abraham Born Borne Egyptian Hagar Isaac Making Mocking Playing Sarah Sport
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.














But Sarah saw
The phrase "But Sarah saw" indicates a pivotal moment of perception and realization. Sarah, the matriarch, is portrayed as observant and discerning. In the Hebrew context, the verb "saw" (רָאָה, ra'ah) often implies not just physical sight but also understanding or insight. This moment is crucial as it sets the stage for the subsequent actions and decisions. Sarah's observation is not merely passive; it is active and leads to a significant turning point in the narrative.

the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham
This phrase identifies Ishmael, emphasizing his lineage and the complex family dynamics at play. Hagar, described as "the Egyptian," highlights her foreign status and the cultural tensions within the household. The mention of "borne to Abraham" underscores the legitimacy of Ishmael as Abraham's son, yet also foreshadows the tension between the promise given to Isaac and the reality of Ishmael's existence. Historically, this reflects the broader narrative of God's covenant with Abraham and the unfolding of His divine plan through Isaac, the child of promise.

was mocking
The term "mocking" (מְצַחֵק, metzahek) is derived from the root צָחַק (tsachaq), which can mean to laugh, play, or mock. In this context, it suggests a negative connotation, possibly indicating ridicule or scorn. This behavior is significant as it triggers Sarah's protective instincts for Isaac, the child of promise. The act of mocking is not just a simple jest; it is perceived as a threat to the divine promise and the future of God's covenant people. This moment of conflict is emblematic of the broader spiritual battle between the flesh and the promise, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

(9) Mocking.--The verb used here is the same as that rendered to laugh in Genesis 21:6, but in an intensive conjugation. What exactly Ishmael was doing is not said, but we may dismiss all those interpretations which charge him with abominable wickedness; for had he been guilty of any such criminal conduct, the sending him away would not have been so "very grievous in Abraham's sight" (Genesis 21:11). On the other hand, we may feel sure that Sarah was not without good reason for her conduct; for St. Paul bears witness that Ishmael persecuted Isaac (Galatians 4:29). The LXX. and Vulg. translate playing, sporting, and Gesenius thinks that he was "dancing gracefully; "but if this were all, Sarah's jealousy would have been most unjust. When, however, we consider that Ishmael had been for fourteen years the heir, and that he now fell back into an inferior position, we cannot be surprised if at this banquet in his rival's honour he gave way to spiteful feelings, and by word and gesture derided and ridiculed him. Hagar too had probably never regarded Sarah with much affection since her forced return, and now that her son was disinherited, her bitterness would grow more intense. These jealousies are the inevitable results of polygamy; and wherever it exists, the father's life is made wretched by the intrigues of the women for their children.

Verse 9. - And Sarah saw - at the feast already mentioned (Knobel, Keil); probably also on different occasions since the birth of Isaac - the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking. Παίζοντα μετὰ Ισαὰκ τοῦ υἰοῦ αὐτης (LXX.), ludentem cum Isaaco filio sue (Vulgate), playing like a child (Aben Ezra, Knobel, Tuch, Ilgen), playing and dancing gracefully (Gesenius); but the stronger sense of the word, implying mockery, scoffing, irritating and deriding laughter (Kimchi, Vatablus, Grotius, Calvin, Rosenmüller, Keil, Kalisch, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Murphy), besides being admissible (cf. Genesis 19:14; Genesis 26:8; Genesis 39:14, 17; Exodus 32:6), seems involved in the Piel form of the participle מְצַחֵק (Kurtz), and is demanded by Galatians 4:29. That Ishmael ridiculed the banquet on the occasion of Isaac's weaning (Malvenda), quarreled with him about the heirship (Fagins, Piseator), and perhaps made sport of him as a father of nations (Hengstenberg), though plausible conjectures, are not stated in the text. Ainsworth dates from this event the 400 years of Israel's oppression (vide Genesis 15:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But Sarah
שָׂרָ֜ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

saw that
וַתֵּ֨רֶא (wat·tê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

whom
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

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

the Egyptian
הַמִּצְרִ֛ית (ham·miṣ·rîṯ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt

had borne
יָלְדָ֥ה (yā·lə·ḏāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

to Abraham
לְאַבְרָהָ֖ם (lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

was mocking [her son],
מְצַחֵֽק׃ (mə·ṣa·ḥêq)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6711: To laugh outright, to sport


Links
Genesis 21:9 NIV
Genesis 21:9 NLT
Genesis 21:9 ESV
Genesis 21:9 NASB
Genesis 21:9 KJV

Genesis 21:9 BibleApps.com
Genesis 21:9 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 21:9 Chinese Bible
Genesis 21:9 French Bible
Genesis 21:9 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 21:9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:8
Top of Page
Top of Page