Genesis 21:5 (KJV)

What does Genesis 21:5 mean?

Genesis 21:5 states that Abraham was one hundred years old when his son Isaac was born. This verse highlights Abraham’s advanced age at the time of Isaac’s birth, emphasizing the unusual and remarkable nature of the event.

Genesis 21:5 is a straightforward statement within the story of Abraham, who is the main figure here. The verse is part of a larger narrative where God fulfills a long-standing promise to Abraham and Sarah, giving them a son in their old age. The detail about Abraham’s age draws attention to the fulfillment of this promise against all human expectations.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 21:5

• מֵאָה (me’ah, “hundred”): This word marks Abraham’s age as exactly one hundred, underlining the extraordinary timing of Isaac’s birth.
• יִצְחָק (Yitzchak, “Isaac”): The name Isaac means “he laughs” or “laughter,” which connects to earlier verses where both Abraham and Sarah laughed at the idea of having a child at such an old age.
• יָלַד (yalad, “born”): This verb is often used for childbirth and here stresses the actual arrival of the promised son, not just the promise itself.

Why Genesis 21:5 matters

• This verse clears up any doubt about Abraham’s age, showing that Isaac’s birth was not just unlikely but, by normal standards, impossible, which points to something extraordinary happening.
• The verse draws a direct connection to earlier promises in Genesis, where God told Abraham he would have a son despite his and Sarah’s old age.
• By stating Abraham’s age so clearly, the verse sets up the rest of Isaac’s story as something that begins with a miracle, shaping how readers understand the events that follow.