Genesis 21:2
New International Version
Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him.

New Living Translation
She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.

English Standard Version
And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the time of which God had spoken to him.

Berean Standard Bible
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

NASB 1995
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

NASB 1977
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

Amplified Bible
So Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time of which God had spoken to him.

Christian Standard Bible
Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him.

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

Contemporary English Version
Although Abraham was very old, Sarah had a son exactly at the time God had said.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So she became pregnant, and at the exact time God had promised, she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age.

Good News Translation
and she became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham when he was old. The boy was born at the time God had said he would be born.

International Standard Version
Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age, at the very time that God had told him.

Majority Standard Bible
So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.

NET Bible
So Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age at the appointed time that God had told him.

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

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

World English Bible
Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Sarah conceives, and bears a son to Abraham, to his old age, at the appointed time that God has spoken of with him;

Young's Literal Translation
and Sarah conceiveth, and beareth a son to Abraham, to his old age, at the appointed time that God hath spoken of with him;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Sarah shall conceive, and bring forth to Abraham a son to his old age, at the appointed time which God spake to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And she conceived and bore a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And she conceived and gave birth to a son in her old age, at the time that God had foretold to her.

New American Bible
Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated.

New Revised Standard Version
Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken to him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Sara conceived and she bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the time of which God had spoken with him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And she conceived and bore to Abraam a son in old age, at the set time according as the Lord spoke to him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Isaac
1Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. 2So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. 3And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.…

Cross References
Genesis 17:19
But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him.

Genesis 18:10
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”

Hebrews 11:11
By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised.

Romans 9:9
For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Galatians 4:22-23
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

Genesis 15:4
Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.”

Genesis 17:16
And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.”

Genesis 30:22
Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,

Luke 1:36-37
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.”

Romans 4:19-21
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

Genesis 25:21
Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

1 Samuel 1:19-20
The next morning they got up early to bow in worship before the LORD, and then they returned home to Ramah. And Elkanah had relations with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. / So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

2 Kings 4:16-17
And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” / But the woman did conceive, and at that time the next year she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.


Treasury of Scripture

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

conceived.

2 Kings 4:16,17
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid…

Luke 1:24,25,36
And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, …

Acts 7:8
And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

at the set.

Genesis 17:19,21
And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him…

Genesis 18:10,14
And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him…

Romans 9:9
For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

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Genesis 21
1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.














So Sarah conceived
The Hebrew word for "conceived" is "הָרָה" (harah), which signifies the miraculous nature of Sarah's pregnancy. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, conception was often seen as a divine blessing, especially given Sarah's previous barrenness. This moment marks the fulfillment of God's promise, emphasizing His sovereignty and faithfulness. Sarah's conception is a testament to God's power to bring life where there was none, symbolizing hope and divine intervention.

and bore a son
The act of bearing a son, "יָלַד" (yalad), is significant in the Hebrew tradition, as sons were often seen as carriers of the family lineage and covenant promises. This birth is not just a personal joy for Sarah and Abraham but a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The birth of Isaac is a precursor to the nation of Israel and ultimately to the coming of the Messiah, highlighting the continuity of God's promises through generations.

to Abraham
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the Bible, known as the father of faith. His name, meaning "father of many," is fulfilled through the birth of Isaac. This phrase underscores the personal nature of God's covenant with Abraham, a man chosen to be the patriarch of a great nation. Abraham's faith journey, marked by obedience and trust in God's promises, serves as an enduring example for believers.

in his old age
The phrase "in his old age" highlights the miraculous nature of Isaac's birth. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born, an age well beyond natural childbearing years. This underscores the theme of divine intervention and the idea that nothing is impossible for God. It serves as a reminder that God's timing often defies human expectations, and His plans are accomplished in ways that bring Him glory.

at the very time
The phrase "at the very time" indicates the precision of God's timing. The Hebrew concept of time is often linked with divine purpose and fulfillment. God's promises are not only sure but are fulfilled at the exact moment He determines. This reassures believers that God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed from a human perspective.

God had promised him
The promise of God is central to the narrative of Abraham and Sarah. The Hebrew word for "promised" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which also means "to speak." This highlights the power and reliability of God's word. God's promises are not mere possibilities but certainties that shape the course of history. This phrase reinforces the theme of faithfulness, encouraging believers to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them.

Verse 2. - For Sarah conceived, - through faith receiving strength from God for that purpose (Hebrews 11:11); the fruit of the womb, in every instance God's handiwork (Isaiah 44:2), being in her case a special gift of grace and product of Divine power - and bare - the usual construction (Genesis 29:32; Genesis 30:5) is here somewhat modified by the Jehovist (Kalisch); but the clause may be compared with Genesis 30:22, 23, commonly assigned to the Elohlst - Abraham (literally, to Abraham) a son in his old age, - literally, to his old age; εἰς τὸ γῆρας (LXX.) - at the set time (vide Genesis 17:21; Genesis 18:10, 14) of which God had spoken to him. God's word gave Abraham strength to beget, Sarah to conceive, and Isaac to come forth. Three times repeated in two verses, the clause points to the supernatural character of Isaac's birth.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Sarah
שָׂרָ֧ה (śā·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8283: Sarah -- 'princess', a wife of Abraham

conceived
וַתַּהַר֩ (wat·ta·har)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2029: To conceive, become pregnant

and bore
וַתֵּ֨לֶד (wat·tê·leḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

a son
בֵּ֖ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

to Abraham
לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם (lə·’aḇ·rā·hām)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

in his old age,
לִזְקֻנָ֑יו (liz·qu·nāw)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2208: Old age

at the very time
לַמּוֹעֵ֕ד (lam·mō·w·‘êḏ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

God
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

had promised him.
דִּבֶּ֥ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue


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OT Law: Genesis 21:2 Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:1
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