Genesis 17:21 Meaning and Explanation
“But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God confirms the covenant will be with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear within a year.
The Context of Genesis 17:21
God confirms the covenant will be with Isaac, to be born within a year.
What Does Genesis 17:21 Mean?
The word But marks a deliberate distinction. While Ishmael is blessed, the covenant—the binding, perpetual relationship with God—flows through Isaac specifically. This is not a lesser blessing for Ishmael but a clarification of the covenant line. Isaac's birth is placed at this set time in the next year, giving a specific timeframe. The promise becomes temporally concrete: Sarah will conceive and bear a son within the coming year.
At this set time in the next year emphasizes God's precision and control. This is not vague or distant but appointed in time, within a twelve-month period. God is not merely promising but specifying when the promise will be fulfilled. This adds urgency and certainty to what Abraham and Sarah must now wait for and expect.
Genesis 17:21 in the Original Language
kh'keh moa'd (כְּעֵת הַמּוֹעֵד), 'at this set time' — appointed time, a specific moment appointed by God's plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 17:21
What does Genesis 17:21 mean?
God confirms the covenant will be with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear within a year.
What is the context of Genesis 17:21?
God confirms the covenant will be with Isaac, to be born within a year.