Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt. New Living Translation and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt. English Standard Version He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Berean Standard Bible And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. King James Bible And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. New King James Version He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. New American Standard Bible He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. NASB 1995 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. NASB 1977 And he lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Legacy Standard Bible And he lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Amplified Bible He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Christian Standard Bible He settled in the Wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Holman Christian Standard Bible He settled in the Wilderness of Paran, and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. American Standard Version And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. English Revised Version And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. GOD'S WORD® Translation He lived in the desert of Paran, and his mother got him a wife from Egypt. Good News Translation His mother got an Egyptian wife for him. International Standard Version Later he settled in the desert area of Paran, and his mother chose a wife for him from the land of Egypt. NET Bible He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother found a wife for him from the land of Egypt. New Heart English Bible He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Webster's Bible Translation And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took for him a wife out of the land of Egypt. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. World English Bible He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he dwells in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother takes for him a wife from the land of Egypt. Young's Literal Translation and he dwelleth in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother taketh for him a wife from the land of Egypt. Smith's Literal Translation And he will dwell in the desert Paran: and his mother will take to him a wife from the land of Egypt. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he dwelt in the wilderness of Pharan, and his mother took a wife for him out of the land of Egypt. Catholic Public Domain Version And he lived in the desert of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt. New American Bible He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. New Revised Standard Version He lived in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And his mother took for him a woman from the land of Egypt. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran; and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. Brenton Septuagint Translation And he dwelt in the wilderness, and his mother took him a wife out of Pharan of Egypt. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sarah Turns Against Hagar…20And God was with the boy, and he grew up and settled in the wilderness and became a great archer. 21And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt. Cross References Genesis 16:10-12 Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” / The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction. / He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” Genesis 25:12-18 This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. / These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ... Genesis 28:9 Esau went to Ishmael and married Mahalath, the sister of Nebaioth and daughter of Abraham’s son Ishmael, in addition to the wives he already had. Genesis 37:25-28 And as they sat down to eat a meal, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were carrying spices, balm, and myrrh on their way down to Egypt. / Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit will we gain if we kill our brother and cover up his blood? / Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. ... Judges 8:24 Then he added, “Let me make a request of you, that each of you give me an earring from his plunder.” (For the enemies had gold earrings because they were Ishmaelites.) 1 Chronicles 1:28-31 The sons of Abraham were Isaac and Ishmael. / These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, ... Isaiah 60:6-7 Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD. / All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth will serve you and go up on My altar with acceptance; I will adorn My glorious house. Jeremiah 49:28-33 Concerning Kedar and the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon defeated, this is what the LORD says: “Rise up, advance against Kedar, and destroy the people of the east! / They will take their tents and flocks, their tent curtains and all their goods. They will take their camels for themselves. They will shout to them: ‘Terror is on every side!’ / Run! Escape quickly! Lie low, O residents of Hazor,” declares the LORD, “for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has drawn up a plan against you; he has devised a strategy against you. ... Ezekiel 27:21 Arabia and all the princes of Kedar were your customers, trading in lambs, rams, and goats. Psalm 83:6 the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, Acts 7:8 Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs. Romans 9:7-9 Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” Galatians 4:22-31 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ... Hebrews 11:18 even though God had said to him, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” Romans 4:18-22 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ... Treasury of Scripture And he dwelled in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. in the. Numbers 10:12 And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 12:16 And afterward the people removed from Hazeroth, and pitched in the wilderness of Paran. Numbers 13:3,26 And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel… a wife. Genesis 24:3,4 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: … Genesis 26:34,35 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: … Genesis 27:46 And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me? Jump to Previous Desert Dwelleth Dwelt Egypt Mother Paran Waste Wife WildernessJump to Next Desert Dwelleth Dwelt Egypt Mother Paran Waste Wife WildernessGenesis 21 1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.6. Sarah's joy. 8. Isaac is weaned. 9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away. 15. Hagar in distress. 17. The angel relieves and comforts her. 23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba. And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran The Wilderness of Paran is a desert region located in the northeastern part of the Sinai Peninsula. It is significant in biblical history as a place where the Israelites wandered during their exodus from Egypt (Numbers 10:12). This area is associated with desolation and testing, reflecting Ishmael's own life journey. The wilderness setting underscores themes of survival and divine provision, as God had promised to make Ishmael a great nation (Genesis 21:18). Paran's harsh environment also symbolizes the challenges Ishmael would face, yet it is here that he begins to establish his own identity apart from Abraham's household. his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt Persons / Places / Events 1. IshmaelThe son of Abraham and Hagar, who was sent away from Abraham's household. He is the central figure in this verse, living in the Wilderness of Paran. 2. Hagar Ishmael's mother, an Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, who finds a wife for Ishmael from her homeland, Egypt. 3. Wilderness of Paran A desert region where Ishmael settled. It is significant as a place of survival and growth for Ishmael. 4. Egypt The land from which Hagar originates and where she finds a wife for Ishmael. It represents a connection to Ishmael's maternal heritage. 5. Marriage The event of Ishmael taking a wife, which signifies the continuation of his lineage and the fulfillment of God's promise to make him a great nation. Teaching Points God's Provision in the WildernessJust as God provided for Ishmael in the wilderness, He provides for us in our times of need and isolation. Heritage and Identity Ishmael's marriage to an Egyptian woman highlights the importance of understanding and embracing one's heritage and identity. God's Faithfulness to His Promises Despite being sent away, Ishmael's life and lineage are a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Parental Influence Hagar's role in securing a wife for Ishmael underscores the influence and responsibility of parents in guiding their children's future. Survival and Growth in Adversity Ishmael's life in the wilderness is a reminder that growth often occurs in challenging circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 21:21?2. How does Genesis 21:21 illustrate God's provision for Ishmael in the wilderness? 3. What lessons can we learn from Ishmael's upbringing in the wilderness of Paran? 4. How does Ishmael's story connect with God's promises to Abraham in Genesis 17? 5. In what ways can we trust God's provision in our own "wilderness" experiences? 6. How can parents today ensure their children are raised with faith and resilience? 7. Why did Hagar choose a wife for Ishmael from Egypt in Genesis 21:21? 8. How does Genesis 21:21 reflect God's plan for Ishmael's descendants? 9. What is the significance of Ishmael living in the wilderness in Genesis 21:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21? 11. Who was Zipporah in the Bible? 12. What are examples of miracles in the Bible? 13. What defines spiritual emptiness? 14. What became of Ishmael? What Does Genesis 21:21 Mean While he was dwelling• The verse picks up with Ishmael’s life after God saved him and Hagar in the desert (Genesis 21:17-20). • Scripture states, “God was with the boy as he grew; and he settled in the wilderness and became an archer” (Genesis 21:20). This shows that Ishmael’s new home was no accident but a divinely guided placement, fulfilling the promise that he would become “a great nation” (Genesis 17:20). • Unlike Isaac, who remains near Abraham’s tents, Ishmael’s dwelling foreshadows a life lived on the margins—yet still under God’s providence (Psalm 139:7-10). In the Wilderness of Paran • Paran lies between Canaan and Egypt (Numbers 10:12; Deuteronomy 1:1). It is a harsh, expansive desert, emphasizing Ishmael’s identity as a rugged, independent man (Genesis 16:12). • God often meets His people in wilderness settings—Moses at Horeb (Exodus 3:1), Israel’s forty-year journey (Deuteronomy 8:2), and Elijah’s renewal (1 Kings 19:4-8). Ishmael’s wilderness home signals that isolation need not equal abandonment; God’s presence reaches there, too. • Paran later becomes a launching point for Israel’s exploration of Canaan (Numbers 13:3), linking Ishmael’s territory to the unfolding story of redemption. His mother got a wife for him • Hagar takes the initiative, just as Abraham arranges a bride for Isaac (Genesis 24:3-4) and later Isaac directs Jacob (Genesis 28:1-2). Parental involvement in marriage honored God-given authority and safeguarded covenant values. • The move underscores Hagar’s continued care and God-given responsibility toward her son, echoing the earlier angelic instruction, “Lift up the boy and take him by the hand” (Genesis 21:18). • Though Ishmael is now a capable archer, family influence still shapes his future, reminding us that individual freedom and parental guidance can work together under God’s design (Ephesians 6:1-3). From the land of Egypt • Hagar herself is Egyptian (Genesis 16:1), so returning to her homeland for a wife keeps Ishmael connected to his maternal heritage. • Marrying an Egyptian distinguishes Ishmael from Isaac, whose bride comes from Abraham’s kin in Mesopotamia (Genesis 24:4). This divergence affirms two separate lines: the covenant line through Isaac (Galatians 4:28) and the non-covenant but still God-blessed line through Ishmael (Genesis 17:20). • Egypt often symbolizes worldly strength (Isaiah 31:1), yet God still works within that context to fulfill His promise that Ishmael would father twelve princes (Genesis 25:13-16). His mixed background anticipates God’s later inclusion of all nations through Christ (Revelation 7:9), even while maintaining the unique covenant with Israel. summary Genesis 21:21 records three simple facts—where Ishmael lived, who secured his marriage, and where his wife came from—but each detail reveals God’s ongoing faithfulness. In the wild expanse of Paran, Ishmael grows under divine care. Through Hagar’s active role, God provides a wife, anchoring Ishmael’s future. By drawing from Egypt, the Lord keeps His promise to bless Hagar’s son while distinguishing Ishmael’s line from Isaac’s covenant line. The verse testifies that even outside the promised land and covenant family, God remains present, guiding lives and fulfilling every word He has spoken. (21) A wife out of the land of Egypt.--However natural this might be on Hagar's part, it would never theless strengthen the heathen element in Ishmael and his descendants. We find, nevertheless, that he was subsequently on friendly terms with Isaac (Genesis 25:9; Genesis 28:8-9). For Paran, see Genesis 14:6.
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