Genesis 21:16 - She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.
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What does "Genesis 21:16" mean?
This verse, Genesis 21:16, is a poignant and heartbreaking passage from the story of Hagar and Ishmael. Let's break down what it means:
"She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away." Hagar has just been cast out into the wilderness with her son Ishmael by Abraham, at the insistence of Sarah. They have run out of water, and she is desperate. This line describes her separating herself from her son. "A bow shot away" indicates a significant distance, suggesting she cannot bear to watch her son die, but wants to stay close.
"For she said, 'Don’t let me see the death of the child.'" This is the core of the verse. Hagar is overwhelmed by the impending death of Ishmael. The desert is harsh, and without water, he's doomed. She is unable to face the agony of witnessing his demise. It highlights her intense maternal love and her feeling of helplessness.
"She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept." Even though she moved away, she remained within sight and earshot. She couldn't completely abandon him. The fact that she "lifted up her voice, and wept" suggests that her grief was raw and unrestrained. She is publicly mourning her son's impending death and appealing to any power that might hear her.
In essence, the verse portrays:
Desperation: Hagar is utterly desperate, with no resources and a son on the verge of death.
Maternal love: Despite the harsh circumstances, Hagar's love for her son is undeniable. She can't bear to witness his suffering.
Helplessness: She feels powerless to save her son. She can only watch and weep, unable to change their fate.
Emotional pain: The verse evokes a powerful sense of sadness and grief. Hagar's weeping is a manifestation of her overwhelming sorrow and fear.
This verse sets the stage for the subsequent intervention of God, who hears Ishmael's cries and provides water, saving their lives. It underscores the theme of God's compassion for the vulnerable and marginalized, even those who are not part of the chosen lineage.
Genesis 21:16 - She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.
What does "Genesis 21:16" mean?
This verse, Genesis 21:16, is a poignant and heartbreaking passage from the story of Hagar and Ishmael. Let's break down what it means:
"She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away." Hagar has just been cast out into the wilderness with her son Ishmael by Abraham, at the insistence of Sarah. They have run out of water, and she is desperate. This line describes her separating herself from her son. "A bow shot away" indicates a significant distance, suggesting she cannot bear to watch her son die, but wants to stay close.
"For she said, 'Don’t let me see the death of the child.'" This is the core of the verse. Hagar is overwhelmed by the impending death of Ishmael. The desert is harsh, and without water, he's doomed. She is unable to face the agony of witnessing his demise. It highlights her intense maternal love and her feeling of helplessness.
"She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept." Even though she moved away, she remained within sight and earshot. She couldn't completely abandon him. The fact that she "lifted up her voice, and wept" suggests that her grief was raw and unrestrained. She is publicly mourning her son's impending death and appealing to any power that might hear her.
In essence, the verse portrays:
Desperation: Hagar is utterly desperate, with no resources and a son on the verge of death.
Maternal love: Despite the harsh circumstances, Hagar's love for her son is undeniable. She can't bear to witness his suffering.
Helplessness: She feels powerless to save her son. She can only watch and weep, unable to change their fate.
Emotional pain: The verse evokes a powerful sense of sadness and grief. Hagar's weeping is a manifestation of her overwhelming sorrow and fear.
This verse sets the stage for the subsequent intervention of God, who hears Ishmael's cries and provides water, saving their lives. It underscores the theme of God's compassion for the vulnerable and marginalized, even those who are not part of the chosen lineage.