Exploring the Meaning of Genesis 21
Por New Christian Bible Study Staff
Here are some excerpts from Swedenborg's "Arcana Coelestia" that help explain the inner meaning of this chapter:
AC 2610. In the internal sense of this chapter the Lord‘s Divine Rational is first treated of, which is represented by "Isaac" (verses 1-8).
AC 2611. Next the merely human rational, which was then separated, and which is the "son of Hagar the Egyptian" (verses 9-12).
AC 2612. After this had been separated, the spiritual church is represented by the same, namely, by Hagar’s son, as well as by his mother; which church and its state are treated of in (verses 13 to 21).
AC 2613. Concerning the human rational things that were adjoined to the doctrine of faith, which in itself is Divine (verses 22-34).
AC 2614. This doctrine together with those things adjoined is "Beer-sheba" (verses 14, 31, 33).
Genesis 21:1-8
1
Yahweh visited Sarah as he had said, and Yahweh did to Sarah as he had spoken.
2
Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.
3
Abraham called his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore to him, Isaac.
4
Abraham circumcised his son, Isaac, when he was eight days old, as God had commanded him.
5
Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him.
6
Sarah said, "God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me."
7
She said, "Who would have said to Abraham, that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age."
8
The child grew, and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned.
