Genesis 21:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The water runs out and Hagar, exhausted and hopeless, leaves her child under a bush.
The Context of Genesis 21:15
The journey's provisions fail and Hagar loses hope.
What Does Genesis 21:15 Mean?
Dehydration in a desert is life-threatening. When the water is gone, Hagar's hope collapses. Her act of placing Ishmael under a shrub is not abandonment in the modern sense but a desperate attempt to shield him from the harsh sun as she faces the prospect of his death.
The shrub provides minimal shelter. Hagar's action shows a mother pushed to the edge of despair, unable to save her child through her own strength. This moment of utter vulnerability sets the stage for divine intervention.
Genesis 21:15 in the Original Language
tavah (תָּוָה), 'cast' — to throw down, place; can convey both her exhaustion and her desperate gesture of maternal protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 21:15
What does Genesis 21:15 mean?
The water runs out and Hagar, exhausted and hopeless, leaves her child under a bush.
What is the context of Genesis 21:15?
The journey's provisions fail and Hagar loses hope.