Genesis 21 in the early church

153 passages quote, allude to, or echo Genesis 21, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 25 · 28 · 30 · 31

Genesis 21:1

Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:1–2Homily on 1 Samuel 1.5 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 21:1–3Against Celsus 8.46 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 248
Gen 21:1–3To Quirinus 1.20 · Cyprian of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Gen 21:1–2Demonstration 4.4 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 21:1–3Demonstration 18.1 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 21:1–2On the Trinity 4.25 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 21:1–2On the Trinity 4.27 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 21:1–7Tractates 2.10.1 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, high confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 21:1–3Tractates 2.11.1 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, high confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 21:1–7Tractates 2.12.1 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, high confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 21:1–3On Cain and Abel 1.6 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 375-378
Gen 21:1–3On Paradise 20 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 375-378
Gen 21:1–16Genesis, lines 700–724 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Gen 21:1–3City of God 16.31 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:1–2Sermon 68 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450
Gen 21:1–3Sermon 90 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450
Gen 21:1–2Book 1, lines 93–115 · Seduliusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450
Gen 21:1–7Book 1, section 4 · Seduliusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450

Genesis 21:2

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

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:2Protevangelium of James 1 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceca. 150–200
Gen 21:2Protevangelium of James 2 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceca. 150–200
Gen 21:2Dialogue with Trypho 84.4 · Justin Martyrallusion, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 21:2Miscellanies 1.5.30 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Gen 21:2Against Celsus 4.43 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 248
Gen 21:2Recognitions 1.34 · Anonymousallusion, high confidenceGreek original 3rd–4th century; Rufinus's Latin translation before 407
Gen 21:2Catechetical Lecture 11.8 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350
Gen 21:2Catechetical Lecture 12.28 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, high confidenceca. 350
Gen 21:2Treatise on the Mysteries 1.1.3 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, low confidenceca. 360–366
Gen 21:2Commentary on Galatians 4.22 · Marius Victorinusallusion, high confidenceca. 360–363
Gen 21:2Oration 4.15 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Gen 21:2Commentary on Galatians 4:21–22 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 366–384
Gen 21:2Question 115, section 42 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Gen 21:2Question 127, section 32 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Gen 21:2Letter 108.11 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 21:2Letter 137.15 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 21:2Sermon 81.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 21:2Literal Commentary on Genesis 8.1 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 401–415
Gen 21:2Literal Commentary on Genesis 9.17 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 401–415
Gen 21:2Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.10 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:2City of God 10.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:2City of God 18.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:2On Marriage and Concupiscence 2.23 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 419–421
Gen 21:2Verses on the Birthday of the Maccabees 151–180 · Hilary of Arlesallusion, high confidenceca. 430-449
Gen 21:2–3Part 1, chapter 15 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 21:3

And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:3Sermon 92 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450
Gen 21:3–6Sermon 154 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450

Genesis 21:4

When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:4Commentary on Romans 4.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Gen 21:4–5Demonstration 11.4 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 21:4Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 8.4.2 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Gen 21:4On Baptism, against the Donatists 4.31 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401

Genesis 21:5

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:5To Autolycus 3.24 · Theophilus of Antiochallusion, high confidenceca. 180–185
Gen 21:5Refutation of All Heresies 10.30.3 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 222–235
Gen 21:5Homilies on Leviticus 16.7 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 21:5Commentary on Romans 4.6 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Gen 21:5Preparation for the Gospel 9.29.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 21:5Oration I Against the Arians 56 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346
Gen 21:5City of God 16.24 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:5City of God 18.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426

Genesis 21:6

Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:6Homilies on Jeremiah 20.6 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 240
Gen 21:6Preparation for the Gospel 9.19.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaecho, low confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 21:6Preparation for the Gospel 11.6.29 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 21:6Letter 66.11 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 21:6City of God 16.31 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:6Sermon 92 · Peter Chrysologusquotation, high confidenceca. 425-450
Gen 21:6Part 1, chapter 15 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 21:8

So the child grew and was weaned, and Abraham held a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:8PG 12:1643 (Ps 129–131 LXX) · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 21:8Homily on 1 Samuel 1.8 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 21:8Commentary on Matthew 12.31 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 246–248
Gen 21:8Tractates on the Psalms 130.5 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–367
Gen 21:8Letter 107.13 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 21:8Exposition of Psalm 118 19.21.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-397
Gen 21:8Sermon 73 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450

Genesis 21:9

But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:9Dialogue with Trypho 56.7 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 21:9Arabic Pentateuch fragment VII · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Gen 21:9Commentary on Galatians 4.29 · Marius Victorinusallusion, high confidenceca. 360–363
Gen 21:9Commentary on Galatians 4:29 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 366–384
Gen 21:9Book of Rules 3 · Tyconiusquotation, high confidenceca. 380
Gen 21:9Sermon 3.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 21:9–10On Baptism, against the Donatists 1.23 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 400–401
Gen 21:9Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:9Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.12 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:9Tractates on the Gospel of John 12.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:9–10City of God 16.31 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426

Genesis 21:10

and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:10Dialogue with Trypho 56.7 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 21:10Miscellanies 1.11.53 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Gen 21:10Arabic Pentateuch fragment VII · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Gen 21:10–12Demonstration 14.33 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 21:10Commentary on Galatians 4.30 · Marius Victorinusquotation, high confidenceca. 360–363
Gen 21:10Commentary on Galatians 4:30 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Gen 21:10Letter 78.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 21:10Letter 196.12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 21:10Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.57.4 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Gen 21:10Homily 15 · Gregory of Nyssaquotation, high confidenceca. 390–394
Gen 21:10Sermon 3.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 21:10Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.51 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 398–400
Gen 21:10Tractates 15 · Gaudentius of Bresciaquotation, high confidenceca. 397-410
Gen 21:10On Baptism, against the Donatists 1.14 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400–401
Gen 21:10Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.8 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:10Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.12 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:10Tractates on the Gospel of John 12.4 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:10City of God 15.2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:10On Patience 25 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415
Gen 21:10Letter 167 to Rusticus of Narbonne, inquiry 4 · Leo I, bishop of Rome (Leo the Great)quotation, high confidence440–461

Genesis 21:11

Now this matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son Ishmael.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:11Dialogue with Trypho 56.7 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 21:11Arabic Pentateuch fragment VII · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Gen 21:11Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.12 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420

Genesis 21:12

But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:12Dialogue with Trypho 56.7 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 21:12Arabic Pentateuch fragment VII · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Gen 21:12Commentary on Romans 7.14 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Gen 21:12Catechetical Lecture 5.5 · Cyril of Jerusalemquotation, high confidenceca. 350
Gen 21:12Treatise on the Mysteries 1.17.2 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 360–366
Gen 21:12Commentary on Romans 9:6 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Gen 21:12Commentary on Romans 9:7 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 366–384
Gen 21:12Letter 65.1 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 21:12Letter 120.10 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 21:12Against Helvidius 22 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 383
Gen 21:12Letter 140.47 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 21:12Letter 194.37 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 21:12Sermon 2.1 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 21:12Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.6 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 398–400
Gen 21:12On the Good of Marriage 31 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence401
Gen 21:12Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.12 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 21:12On the Spirit and the Letter 40 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence412
Gen 21:12–13City of God 16.32 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:12City of God 16.34 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:12City of God 16.38 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 21:12On Patience 25 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 415

Genesis 21:13

But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:13Arabic Pentateuch fragment VII · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)

Genesis 21:14

Early in the morning, Abraham got up, took bread and a skin of water, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her away with the boy. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:14–16Homilies on Psalms 36-38 4.3 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 21:14Letter 36.10 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 21:14Book of Rules 3 · Tyconiusallusion, high confidenceca. 380
Gen 21:14Homily 20.5 on Ephesians · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 392-397

Genesis 21:17

Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:17On the Trinity 18 · Novatianquotation, high confidenceca. 240–250
Gen 21:17Prophetic Extracts 1.4 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 21:17–18On the Trinity 4.25 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 21:17–34Genesis, lines 725–749 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Genesis 21:18

Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:18Dialogue with Trypho 119.4 · Justin Martyrallusion, medium confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 21:18On the Trinity 18 · Novatianquotation, high confidenceca. 240–250
Gen 21:18Prophetic Extracts 1.4 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)

Genesis 21:19

Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:19Homilies on Exodus 3.2 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 21:19On the Trinity 18 · Novatianquotation, high confidenceca. 240–250
Gen 21:19Demonstration 15.5 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 21:19On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 2.36 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence411–412
Gen 21:19On Marriage and Concupiscence 1.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 419–421
Gen 21:19Against Two Letters of the Pelagians 1.32 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 420–421

Genesis 21:20

And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:20On the Trinity 18 · Novatianquotation, high confidenceca. 240–250
Gen 21:20–21Demonstration 11.9 · Aphrahatquotation, high confidence337-345

Genesis 21:21

And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:21Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.1.7 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377

Genesis 21:25

But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:25Homilies on Numbers 12.1 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 21:25Homilies on the Psalms 7.8 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 360-378
Gen 21:25On the Governance of God 1.35 · Salvian of Marseillesallusion, medium confidenceca. 439-451

Genesis 21:28

Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:28On the Making of the World 8 · Victorinus of Pettauallusion, low confidencelate 3rd century

Genesis 21:30

He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:30Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.5.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397

Genesis 21:31

So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 21:31Letter 69.6 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419