Genesis 21:17 - God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 21:17" mean?
Genesis 21:17 is a pivotal verse in the story of Hagar and Ishmael's banishment to the desert. Let's break down its meaning:
"God heard the voice of the boy." This is the core message. Despite being banished and seemingly forgotten, God hears Ishmael's cry. It's implied his crying wasn't merely whimpering, but a desperate plea for help, likely related to thirst. This highlights God's compassion and attentiveness to those in distress, even those who are seemingly abandoned or of lesser social standing (being the son of a slave woman).
"The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky..." The angel acting as God's messenger, signifies divine intervention. The phrase "out of the sky" emphasizes the divine origin of the message and its importance.
"What ails you, Hagar? Don't be afraid." This is a gentle inquiry. The angel addresses Hagar's primary emotion – fear. Hagar is afraid for Ishmael's life, for her own life, and of the unknown.
"For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is." This is the reassurance. The angel's message emphasizes that God is aware of Ishmael's plight specifically where he is. God's awareness is not distant, but localized and immediate. It reinforces the idea that God hasn't abandoned them.
Overall Meaning:
The verse signifies God's compassion, attentiveness, and intervention in a desperate situation. It highlights that God:
Hears the cries of the vulnerable: God isn't just attentive to the patriarchs; he hears Ishmael, a boy of mixed parentage left to die in the desert.
Offers comfort and reassurance: Hagar is overwhelmed with fear, and God sends an angel to alleviate her anxieties and offer hope.
Acts on behalf of those in need: The fact that God hears and responds indicates that He will take action to help them survive.
Is present in their suffering: God's hearing "the voice of the boy where he is" implies that God is present with them in their difficult circumstances.
In essence, Genesis 21:17 offers a powerful message of hope and divine presence for those who feel forgotten and abandoned. It's a reminder that God sees, hears, and cares, even in the most desolate of circumstances. It's also important to remember that God's promise to Abraham extended to Ishmael as well, ensuring his survival and future.
Genesis 21:17 - God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
What does "Genesis 21:17" mean?
Genesis 21:17 is a pivotal verse in the story of Hagar and Ishmael's banishment to the desert. Let's break down its meaning:
"God heard the voice of the boy." This is the core message. Despite being banished and seemingly forgotten, God hears Ishmael's cry. It's implied his crying wasn't merely whimpering, but a desperate plea for help, likely related to thirst. This highlights God's compassion and attentiveness to those in distress, even those who are seemingly abandoned or of lesser social standing (being the son of a slave woman).
"The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky..." The angel acting as God's messenger, signifies divine intervention. The phrase "out of the sky" emphasizes the divine origin of the message and its importance.
"What ails you, Hagar? Don't be afraid." This is a gentle inquiry. The angel addresses Hagar's primary emotion – fear. Hagar is afraid for Ishmael's life, for her own life, and of the unknown.
"For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is." This is the reassurance. The angel's message emphasizes that God is aware of Ishmael's plight specifically where he is. God's awareness is not distant, but localized and immediate. It reinforces the idea that God hasn't abandoned them.
Overall Meaning:
The verse signifies God's compassion, attentiveness, and intervention in a desperate situation. It highlights that God:
Hears the cries of the vulnerable: God isn't just attentive to the patriarchs; he hears Ishmael, a boy of mixed parentage left to die in the desert.
Offers comfort and reassurance: Hagar is overwhelmed with fear, and God sends an angel to alleviate her anxieties and offer hope.
Acts on behalf of those in need: The fact that God hears and responds indicates that He will take action to help them survive.
Is present in their suffering: God's hearing "the voice of the boy where he is" implies that God is present with them in their difficult circumstances.
In essence, Genesis 21:17 offers a powerful message of hope and divine presence for those who feel forgotten and abandoned. It's a reminder that God sees, hears, and cares, even in the most desolate of circumstances. It's also important to remember that God's promise to Abraham extended to Ishmael as well, ensuring his survival and future.