And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.

GENESIS 21:16KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 21:16 (KJV)

What does Genesis 21:16 mean?

Genesis 21:16 describes Hagar moving away from her son Ishmael, sitting at a distance because she cannot bear to watch him die, and then crying out in distress. The verse shows her deep sorrow and helplessness as she faces the possibility of her child’s death in the wilderness.

Hagar is alone with Ishmael after being sent away by Abraham at Sarah’s request. She places Ishmael under a bush and sits “a bowshot” away, meaning a distance as far as an arrow can be shot, to avoid seeing him suffer. Hagar’s words and actions reflect a mother’s pain and desperation, highlighting the emotional weight of the moment.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 21:16

  • “bowshot” (כִּמְטַחֲוֵי קֶשֶׁת, kimtaḥavei qeshet): This phrase combines two words—one meaning “the distance of a shot” and the other “bow”—to describe a measurable but not exact distance. It emphasizes how far Hagar separated herself from Ishmael, underlining her distress.
  • “wept” (וַתֵּבְךְּ, vattevkh): The Hebrew word here means to weep or cry aloud, showing that Hagar’s grief was not silent but expressed openly and bitterly.

Why Genesis 21:16 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Hagar’s separation from Ishmael is not abandonment but an act of anguish—she cannot watch her son die, yet she does not leave him completely.
  • The detail about the “bowshot” distance connects to the wilderness setting and the theme of survival, making the scene more vivid and relatable.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where God hears their cries and intervenes, showing that even in deep despair, the story is not over.

Where else these words appear

“against” Hebrew H5048 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 31:32 With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 13:21 Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do so again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no more on the sabbath.

“off” Hebrew H7368 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 44:4 And when they were gone out of the city, and not yet far off, Joseph said unto his steward, Up, follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say unto them, Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good?
  • Psalms 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
  • Isaiah 6:12 And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

“bowshot” Hebrew H7198 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 9:13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:33 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.

“child” Hebrew H3206 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Exodus 21:22 If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
  • 2 Chronicles 10:14 And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.