Genesis 21:6

21:6 Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. ¹  Everyone who hears about this ²  will laugh ³  with me.”

Genesis 21:12

21:12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be upset ⁴  about the boy or your slave wife. Do ⁵  all that Sarah is telling ⁶  you because through Isaac your descendants will be counted. ⁷ 

[21:6]  ¹ tn Heb “Laughter God has made for me.”

[21:6]  ² tn The words “about this” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[21:6]  ³ sn Sarah’s words play on the name “Isaac” in a final triumphant manner. God prepared “laughter” (צְחֹק, ysÿkhoq ) for her, and everyone who hears about this “will laugh” (יִצְחַק, yitskhaq ) with her. The laughter now signals great joy and fulfillment, not unbelief (cf. Gen 18:12-15).

[21:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “Let it not be evil in your eyes.”

[21:12]  ⁵ tn Heb “listen to her voice.” The idiomatic expression means “obey; comply.” Here her advice, though harsh, is necessary and conforms to the will of God. Later (see Gen 25), when Abraham has other sons, he sends them all away as well.

[21:12]  ⁶ tn The imperfect verbal form here draws attention to an action that is underway.

[21:12]  ⁷ tn Or perhaps “will be named”; Heb “for in Isaac offspring will be called to you.” The exact meaning of the statement is not clear, but it does indicate that God’s covenantal promises to Abraham will be realized through Isaac, not Ishmael.