Genesis 21:3, "Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac," is a simple statement of fact, but it carries significant weight due to the circumstances surrounding Isaac's birth. Let's break it down:
"Abraham called his son... Isaac": This establishes the name of the child and that Abraham, as the father, had the authority to name him.
"who was born to him": This simply emphasizes the biological connection between Abraham and Isaac as father and son.
"whom Sarah bore to him": This highlights that Sarah, Abraham's wife, was Isaac's mother.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Promise: The birth of Isaac represented the fulfillment of God's long-awaited promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, despite their advanced age. The repetition emphasizing that Isaac was born to both of them reinforces that this was the promised heir.
Legitimacy and Lineage: By explicitly stating that Isaac was born to Sarah, the verse underscores the legitimacy of Isaac as Abraham's heir. This ensures that Isaac would be the one to continue the covenant God made with Abraham.
Emphasis on Divine Intervention: Sarah was barren and past childbearing age, making Isaac's birth a miraculous event. The verse subtly points to the divine intervention that made this possible. It emphasizes that this wasn't just any birth; it was a birth ordained and enabled by God.
Isaac's Importance: The verse lays the foundation for Isaac's central role in the story of the Israelites. He is the son of the covenant, and his descendants will inherit the promises made to Abraham.
In essence, while the verse is straightforward, it encapsulates the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth and his crucial role in the lineage and fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. It highlights God's faithfulness and the importance of Isaac as the heir of the promise.
Genesis 21:3, "Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac," is a simple statement of fact, but it carries significant weight due to the circumstances surrounding Isaac's birth. Let's break it down:
"Abraham called his son... Isaac": This establishes the name of the child and that Abraham, as the father, had the authority to name him.
"who was born to him": This simply emphasizes the biological connection between Abraham and Isaac as father and son.
"whom Sarah bore to him": This highlights that Sarah, Abraham's wife, was Isaac's mother.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Promise: The birth of Isaac represented the fulfillment of God's long-awaited promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, despite their advanced age. The repetition emphasizing that Isaac was born to both of them reinforces that this was the promised heir.
Legitimacy and Lineage: By explicitly stating that Isaac was born to Sarah, the verse underscores the legitimacy of Isaac as Abraham's heir. This ensures that Isaac would be the one to continue the covenant God made with Abraham.
Emphasis on Divine Intervention: Sarah was barren and past childbearing age, making Isaac's birth a miraculous event. The verse subtly points to the divine intervention that made this possible. It emphasizes that this wasn't just any birth; it was a birth ordained and enabled by God.
Isaac's Importance: The verse lays the foundation for Isaac's central role in the story of the Israelites. He is the son of the covenant, and his descendants will inherit the promises made to Abraham.
In essence, while the verse is straightforward, it encapsulates the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth and his crucial role in the lineage and fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. It highlights God's faithfulness and the importance of Isaac as the heir of the promise.