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Chapter 20
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Genesis, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
God, Humanity, and Creation
Mistrust, Disobedience, and Death
Covenants and Faith in God’s Promises
The Role of Women
Summary
Analysis
The LORD fulfills his promise to Sarah—she conceives and bears Abraham a son, whom Abraham names Isaac. Isaac is circumcised at eight days old. Abraham is 100 years old when Isaac is born. Sarah says that God has brought laughter to her, and now everyone who hears about it will laugh along with her.
God’s long-awaited promise to Abraham and Sarah is fulfilled with the birth of Isaac. Isaac’s circumcision, in turn, fulfills God’s commandment to Abraham. The “laughter” surrounding Isaac—his name’s meaning—evokes joy, relief, and gratitude.
Themes
After Isaac is weaned, Sarah sees Hagar’s son Ishmael playing with Isaac, and she gets angry. She demands that Abraham cast out both Hagar and her son. God assures Abraham, who is upset, that he will provide for Ishmael, so Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness with provisions.
Though it’s not clear why Sarah gets angry, she seems to regard Ishmael as a rival to Isaac—suggesting that she still doesn’t fully trust in God’s promise to make Isaac Abraham’s heir.
Themes
After they run out of water, Hagar settles Ishmael under a bush and walks away, unwilling to watch him die. When she weeps, the angel of God speaks to her, telling her not to be afraid; he will make a great nation of Ishmael. Then Hagar sees a well of water, and she gives Ishmael a drink. Ishmael grows up in the wilderness, and God is with him.
Once again, God listens to the outcast Hagar and fulfills his promise to provide for Ishmael’s survival. God’s tenderness toward the weeping Hagar contrasts with Sarah’s cruelty toward her.
Themes
Meanwhile, Abimelech asks Abraham to swear loyalty to him, since God has made Abraham prosper, and Abimelech has treated Abraham fairly. Abraham swears. Later, when Abimelech’s servants seize one of Abraham’s wells, Abraham brings seven ewe lambs, and the two men make a covenant; the acceptance of the lambs is a witness that the well belongs to Abraham. Abraham continues to live in Beer-sheba, in the land of the Philistines.
King Abimelech, who’d earlier gotten in trouble for trying to claim Sarah for himself, develops a more amicable relationship with Abraham, which is expressed by means of a covenant. Even to those who might not worship Abraham’s God, it’s obvious that God is the source of Abraham’s thriving.
Themes
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