Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:2

For Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

2. in his old age ] Cf. Gen 21:7, Gen 18:11, Gen 24:36, Gen 37:3, Gen 44:20 (al+l from J); meaning literally “to his old age.”

at the set time ] Cf. Gen 17:21 (P).

It is to this verse that allusion is made in Heb 11:11, “by faith even Sarah herself received power to conceive seed, when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.”

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

In his old age, or, for his old age, i.e. for the comfort of his old age.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

For Sarah conceived,…. This explains what is meant by the Lord’s visiting her, and doing to her according to his word, see

Heb 11:11;

and bare Abraham a son in his old age; which circumstance is remarked, that the favour might appear the greater, and the more wonderful; or, “unto”, or “for his old age” n, for the comfort of him in his old age, who having lived so many years under the promise of a son, and in the expectation of one, even of the promised seed, from whom the Messiah should spring, now has one, than which nothing could yield him greater consolation:

at the set time of which God had spoken to him, Ge 17:21; God was not only faithful in fulfilling his promise, but in keeping the exact time of it.

n “pro senectute ejus”, Vatablus; “senectuti ejus”, Junius & Tremellius.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

2. She bare Abraham a son. This is said according to the accustomed manner of speaking; because the woman is neither the head of a family, nor brings forth properly for herself, but for her husband. What follows, however, is more worthy of notice, In his old age, at the set time, which God had predicted: for the old age of Abraham does, not a little, illustrate the glory of the miracle. And now Moses, for the third time, recalls us to the word of God, that the constancy of his truth may always be present to our minds. And though the time had been predicted, alike to Abraham and to his wife, yet this honor is expressly attributed to the holy man; because the promise had been especially given on his account. Both, however, are distinctly mentioned in the context.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

2. At the set time See Gen 17:21.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Gen 21:2, &c. Sarahbare Abraham a son, &c. Isaac at last is born; the wonder and expectation of his day. Observe,

1. The fulfilment of the promise, when all human prospects were at an end; when Abraham was as dead, and Sarah past the time of child-bearing. Note; (1.) Promised mercies will come in God’s time. (2.) God can work for us, when we most despair of ourselves. (3.) What nature cannot do, faith can, Heb 11:11.

2. Abraham’s carefulness to observe God’s prescribed order, to circumcise him on the eighth day, and give him the name of Isaac. Note; When our hearts are circumcised, and our new name given us, as sons of Abraham, Isaac’s, sons of laughter, then shalt we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Observe here, that it is twice mentioned by the Holy Ghost, as if to impress it more strongly on the mind, that this event, so contrary to the ordinary course of nature, was, as the Lord had said (Gen 21:1 ) and as the Lord had spoken, (Gen 21:2 )

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Gen 21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Ver. 2. For Sarah conceived. ] By the force of her faith, though at first she faltered. Heb 11:11

And bare Abraham a son in his old age. ] Beatae senectutis et emeritae fidei filium , as one well calleth Isaac. a St Paul, for this, saith he was “born after the Spirit”. Gal 4:29

a Bucholcer.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

set time = exact time.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. Note change of title here, till Gen 21:32, because it is Creator and creature. In Gen 21:33, Jehovah, where it is Covenant relation. In Mary’s song both titles united (Luk 1:46, Luk 1:47 and compare verses: Gen 21:37, Gen 21:38).

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

conceived: 2Ki 4:16, 2Ki 4:17, Luk 1:24, Luk 1:25, Luk 1:36, Act 7:8, Gal 4:22, Heb 11:11

at the set: Gen 17:19, Gen 17:21, Gen 18:10, Gen 18:14, Rom 9:9

Reciprocal: Gen 11:30 – barren Gen 29:31 – he opened Gen 30:22 – opened Jos 24:3 – gave 1Ch 1:28 – Isaac 1Ch 1:34 – Abraham Ecc 3:2 – time to be born Mat 1:2 – Abraham Luk 1:57 – General Gal 4:23 – but Heb 6:15 – General

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Gen 21:2. Sarah conceived By faith Sarah received strength, (Heb 11:11,) to conceive seed, God, according to his promise, giving that strength. Abraham was old, and Sarah old, and both as good as dead, and then the promise took place.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

21:2 For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his {a} old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

(a) Therefore the miracle was greater.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes