Exploring the Meaning of Genesis 21
Av 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 21:13-21
13
I will also make a nation of the son of the handmaid, because he is your seed."
14
Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15
The water in the bottle was spent, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
16
She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, "Don't let me see the death of the child." She sat over against him, and lifted up her voice, and wept.
17
God heard the voice of the boy. The angel of God called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Don't be afraid. For God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
18
Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him in your hand. For I will make him a great nation."
19
God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the bottle with water, and gave the boy drink.
20
God was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and became, as he grew up, an archer.
21
He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother took a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.
