Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.
Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand; for I will make him into a great nation.
God is promising Hagar that her son Ishmael will become the father of a great nation, encouraging her to care for him with hope.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Genesis, this verse is part of the story where Hagar and her son Ishmael have been sent away into the wilderness by Abraham at Sarah's insistence, due to jealousy and family conflict. God intervenes by speaking directly to Hagar, promising to protect and bless Ishmael, which fulfills part of His earlier covenant with Abraham that Ishmael's descendants would become a great nation. This event highlights the ancient Near Eastern emphasis on lineage and God's faithfulness to His promises, even to those on the fringes of the main covenant story.
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