What does Genesis 21:6 mean?
Previous verses listed the facts of Isaac's birth. God has done as He said. He has kept His promise. The long-awaited child, the one who makes all future promises possible, has at last been born to a 100-year-old man and his childless, 90-year-old wife. This child is a blessing Abraham and Sarah have both desperately wanted for many years.Here, we are witness to Sarah's joyful emotional response. In a play on words, she gives all the credit for the birth of Isaac to the Lord. He has "made laughter" for her—Isaac's name means "laughter." Everyone who hears her story will laugh over her or with her, or perhaps she means people will laugh "at" her. Most scholars interpret this statement to mean Sarah believes her story will bring the joy of laughter to others. Some suggest that perhaps she believes others will laugh, as she did, at the idea that a 90-year-old woman could bear a child.
In any case, it has happened. She has laughter, at last.
Genesis 21:1–7 describes the moment Abraham and Sarah have been waiting on for many, many years. Ever since leaving their home to begin to wander in the land of Canaan, this is a promise they have wished to see fulfilled. God had promised to make Abraham a great nation, by giving him and Sarah a naturally-born son. Finally, their first child together is born. Isaac's name means ''laughter,'' and Sarah expresses her joy at his birth. God has done the unbelievable. He has made laughter for her.
The Lord did as He had promised. Sarah, now 90 years old, gives birth to Isaac, the long-awaited child. Her joy sours, though, over a fear that Isaac might have to share an inheritance with Ishmael. In obedience to the Lord, who promises to safeguard Ishmael, Abraham sends him and his mother, Hagar, into the wilderness. God rescues them and renews His promise to make Ishmael a great nation in his own right. Meanwhile, Abimelech, king of Gerar, approaches Abraham to make a permanent treaty between them and their descendants. The agreement includes Abraham's possession of a well, at a place which will become known as Beersheba.
