Genesis 21:1 - Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.

Generated Verse: Genesis 21:1

What does "Genesis 21:1" mean?


Genesis 21:1, "Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken," is a pivotal verse in the story of Abraham and Sarah. It signifies the fulfillment of God's long-standing promise that Sarah, despite her old age, would conceive and bear a son. Let's break down what the verse means:

"Yahweh visited Sarah...": The word "visited" (Hebrew: paqad) in this context means more than just stopping by. It signifies divine intervention, active involvement, and a focused attention. It's a deliberate act of God to fulfill his promise. In this case, it's the act of enabling Sarah to conceive.

"...as he had said...": This points back to the previous chapters in Genesis where God had repeatedly promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. This is a crucial element: God is faithful to his word. It underscores the reliability of God's promises.

"...and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.": This reiterates the fulfillment of the divine promise. The action that Yahweh "did" refers to enabling Sarah's barren womb to conceive and carry a child. It's a direct act of divine power overcoming natural limitations. The repetition emphasizes the certainty and completeness of the fulfillment.

In essence, this verse means:

God actively intervened in Sarah's life.
God remembered and acted upon his promise.
The impossible (Sarah conceiving in old age) became possible through God's power.
God's word is trustworthy and will be fulfilled.

Significance:

This verse holds significant theological weight:

Faithfulness of God: It's a testament to God's faithfulness in keeping his promises, even when those promises seem impossible.
Power of God: It demonstrates God's power to overcome natural limitations and fulfill his will.
Beginning of a new chapter: It marks the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of Abraham and Sarah, and more importantly, in the history of the nation of Israel, as Isaac (the son born to Sarah) would become a key figure in the lineage of God's chosen people.

In simple terms, this verse declares that God kept his promise to Sarah, allowing her to conceive and bear a son, just as he had said he would. It's a powerful statement of God's faithfulness and power.

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