And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

GENESIS 21:19KJV
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Genesis 21:19 (KJV)

What does Genesis 21:19 mean?

Genesis 21:19 describes how God enabled Hagar to see a well of water, allowing her to fill her container and give her son Ishmael a drink. The verse shows a moment of divine help when Hagar and her son were desperate in the wilderness.

In this scene, Hagar and Ishmael have been sent away by Abraham and are wandering in the desert, running out of water. Hagar is in distress, fearing for her son's life, when God "opened her eyes" so she could see a nearby well. This act is not just about physical sight but about God providing a solution that was already present but unnoticed.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 21:19

  • "Opened" (פָּקַח, pāqaḥ): This word means to open, especially the eyes. It often suggests a new awareness or perception, not just physical sight. Here, it highlights that the well was there, but Hagar needed God's help to notice it.
  • "Well" (בְּאֵר, beʾer): This word refers to a source of water, which is vital in a desert setting. The sudden appearance of a well emphasizes the life-saving nature of God's provision.
  • "Bottle" (חֵמֶת, ḥēmet): This word means a skin container for water, showing the practical side of survival in the wilderness and the urgency of Hagar's actions.

Why Genesis 21:19 matters

  • Genesis 21:19 clarifies that sometimes help or answers are already present, but people may need divine guidance to recognize them.
  • The verse emphasizes God's care for those in distress, especially outsiders or the vulnerable, by showing how God intervenes directly for Hagar and Ishmael.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of God's promises to Abraham's descendants, showing that God's concern extends beyond just Isaac to Ishmael as well.

Where else these words appear

“bottle” Hebrew H2573 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
  • Genesis 21:15 And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.
  • Habakkuk 2:15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

“opened” Hebrew H6491 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
  • 2 Kings 19:16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
  • Isaiah 37:17 Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God.

“well” Hebrew H875 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Genesis 26:21 And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
  • Numbers 21:17 Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

“gave” Hebrew H8248 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Genesis 40:21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:
  • Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.