So the child grew and was weanedIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, weaning typically occurred around the age of three. This milestone marked a significant transition from infancy to early childhood. The growth of Isaac is a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah, emphasizing the faithfulness of God in His covenant. The weaning of Isaac signifies a new stage in his life, paralleling the spiritual growth expected of believers as they mature in faith. This event also foreshadows the growth and development of the nation of Israel, which would come from Isaac's lineage.
and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned
Feasts were common in biblical times to celebrate significant life events. Abraham's feast for Isaac's weaning underscores the joy and gratitude for God's provision and the fulfillment of His promise. This celebration can be seen as a type of the future Messianic banquet, where believers will celebrate with Christ. The feast also highlights the importance of community and family in the biblical narrative, as such events would have involved extended family and servants. This occasion contrasts with the tension that arises with Ishmael, Abraham's son by Hagar, pointing to the complex family dynamics and the unfolding of God's plan through Isaac.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
IsaacThe long-awaited son of Abraham and Sarah, whose birth was a fulfillment of God's promise. His name means "laughter," reflecting the joy and surprise of his parents at his birth.
2.
AbrahamThe patriarch of the Israelites, chosen by God to be the father of many nations. He is a central figure in Genesis, known for his faith and obedience to God.
3.
SarahAbraham's wife and Isaac's mother, who bore Isaac in her old age as a testament to God's miraculous power and faithfulness.
4.
Weaning CeremonyA significant cultural event marking a child's transition from infancy to early childhood. In ancient times, this was often celebrated with a feast, as it signified the child's survival past the vulnerable early years.
5.
FeastA celebratory meal hosted by Abraham to honor Isaac's weaning, symbolizing joy, community, and the fulfillment of God's promise.
Teaching Points
Celebrating MilestonesJust as Abraham celebrated Isaac's weaning, we should recognize and celebrate the milestones in our lives and the lives of others, acknowledging God's faithfulness and provision.
Faith in God's PromisesIsaac's birth and subsequent weaning remind us of the importance of trusting in God's promises, even when they seem delayed or impossible.
Community and FellowshipThe feast held by Abraham underscores the value of community and fellowship in celebrating God's blessings and sharing joy with others.
Parental ResponsibilityThe weaning of Isaac signifies a new phase in parenting, reminding us of the responsibility to nurture and guide children in their growth and development.
Symbolism of WeaningSpiritually, weaning can symbolize moving from dependence on basic teachings to deeper spiritual maturity, as encouraged in
Hebrews 5.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 21:8?
2.How does Genesis 21:8 illustrate the importance of celebrating God's promises fulfilled?
3.What can we learn about family dynamics from Isaac's weaning celebration in Genesis 21:8?
4.How does Genesis 21:8 connect to God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 17?
5.How can we incorporate gratitude for God's blessings in our daily lives?
6.What role does community play in celebrating milestones, as seen in Genesis 21:8?
7.Why was Isaac's weaning celebrated with a great feast in Genesis 21:8?
8.What cultural significance did weaning hold in ancient biblical times?
9.How does Genesis 21:8 reflect God's promise to Abraham and Sarah?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21?
11.What key events define Isaac's life in the Bible?
12.If Psalm 131:2 likens the speaker to a weaned child, how does this fit with cultural norms of the era, and is there any external evidence to confirm these practices?
13.What is the story of Abraham and Ishmael?
14.What does the Bible say about weaning a child?What Does Genesis 21:8 Mean
So the child grew“ So the child grew ” (Genesis 21:8) reminds us that Isaac’s life unfolded exactly as God promised inGenesis 17:19.
• God’s covenant plan is demonstrated in ordinary, observable growth (compareGenesis 26:3–4).
• Isaac’s development underscores God’s faithfulness; no detail is too small for Him (Luke 1:57).
• This growth also proves Abraham and Sarah’s faith was not misplaced, echoingHebrews 11:11.
and was weanedIn the ancient world, weaning usually occurred somewhere between two and three years of age (see2 Chronicles 31:16 for a cultural glimpse of ages).
• Weaning marks the transition from fragile infancy to stronger childhood, stressing preservation by the Lord (Psalm 22:9–10).
• It highlights Sarah’s joy and God’s mercy, fulfilling her laughter of faith noted inGenesis 21:6.
• Like Samuel’s weaning in1 Samuel 1:23–24, this moment publicly celebrates that a child belongs to God’s purposes.
and Abraham held a great feastAbraham’s feast is a tangible act of worship and gratitude (Genesis 12:7–8 shows his pattern of public devotion).
• Feasting in Scripture often commemorates covenant moments—seeExodus 12:14’s Passover orLuke 15:23’s celebration of the lost son.
• By hosting a “great” feast, Abraham teaches his household (Genesis 18:19) that milestones in God’s plan deserve joyful recognition (Psalm 126:3).
• The size of the feast affirms Abraham’s prosperity by God’s hand (Genesis 13:2) and his willingness to use resources for praise.
on the day Isaac was weanedThe phrase ties the celebration to a specific, historic day, underscoring the literal nature of the account.
• Like memorial stones inJoshua 4:7, the day anchors future generations to a concrete testimony of God’s promise kept.
• It anticipates the later command to remember salvation events annually (Esther 9:28;1 Corinthians 11:26).
• The focus on “Isaac” distinguishes him as the covenant heir, setting the stage for the tension with Ishmael inGenesis 21:9–10 and reinforcingRomans 9:7–8.
summaryGenesis 21:8 portrays more than a family party; it showcases God’s unfailing fulfillment of His word. Isaac’s safe growth, his successful weaning, Abraham’s public feast, and the specific day remembered all combine to declare that every promise God makes is kept in real time, with real people, in real history.
(8)
The child grew, and was weaned.--According to tradition, Isaac was two years old when weaned. Three years is the age mentioned in
2Chronicles 31:16,
2 Maccabees 7:27; and Samuel was old enough at his weaning to be left at the tabernacle with Eli (
1Samuel 1:24). In Persia and India it is still the custom to celebrate the weaning of a child by an entertainment.
Verse 8. -
And the child grew, -
καὶ ἠυξήθητὸ παιδίον (LXX.): imitated by Luke concerning Christ:
τὸ παιδίον ηὔξανε (
Luke 2:40) -
and was weaned. The verb
gamal originally signifies to do good to any one, to do completely; hence to finish, or make completely ready, as an infant; hence to wean, since either at that time the period of infancy is regarded as complete, or the child s independent existence is then fully reached. The time of weaning is commonly believed to have been at the end of the second or third year (cf.
1 Samuel 1:22-24;
2 Chronicles 31:16; 2 Macc. 7:27; Josephus, 'Ant.,' 2:09, 6).
And Abraham made a great feast the same day that Isaac was weaned. Literally,
in the day of the weaning of Isaac; probably, therefore, when Isaac was three years old and Ishmael seventeen. "It is still customary in the East to have a festive gathering at the time a child is weaned. Among the Hindoos, when the time for weaning has come, the event is accompanied with feasting and religious ceremonies, during which rice is formally presented to the child" ('Bible Manners and Customs,' by Rev. J. A. Freeman, M.A., ' Homiletical Quarterly,' vol. 1. p. 78; cf. Roberts' 'Oriental Illustrations,' p. 24).
CHAPTER 21:9-14
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
So the childהַיֶּ֖לֶד(hay·ye·leḏ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3206:Something born, a lad, offspringgrewוַיִּגְדַּ֥ל(way·yiḡ·dal)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1431:To grow up, become greatand was weaned,וַיִּגָּמַ֑ל(way·yig·gā·mal)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1580:To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripenand Abrahamאַבְרָהָם֙(’aḇ·rā·hām)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85:Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nationheldוַיַּ֤עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makea greatגָד֔וֹל(ḡā·ḏō·wl)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentfeastמִשְׁתֶּ֣ה(miš·teh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4960:Drink, drinking, a banquet, feaston the dayבְּי֖וֹם(bə·yō·wm)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117:A dayIsaacיִצְחָֽק׃(yiṣ·ḥāq)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3327:Isaac -- 'he laughs', son of Abraham and Sarahwas weaned.הִגָּמֵ֥ל(hig·gā·mêl)Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1580:To deal fully or adequately with, deal out to, wean, ripen
Links
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OT Law: Genesis 21:8 The child grew and was weaned (Gen. Ge Gn) 
