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Genesis 21:14 - Avraham's painful yet faithful obedience

Genesis 21:14 - בראשית 21:14

Hebrew Text

וַיַּשְׁכֵּם אַבְרָהָם בַּבֹּקֶר וַיִּקַּח־לֶחֶם וְחֵמַת מַיִם וַיִּתֵּן אֶל־הָגָר שָׂם עַל־שִׁכְמָהּ וְאֶת־הַיֶּלֶד וַיְשַׁלְּחֶהָ וַתֵּלֶךְ וַתֵּתַע בְּמִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע׃

English Translation

And Avraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Be᾽er-sheva.

Transliteration

Vayashkem Avraham baboker vayikach-lechem vechemat mayim vayiten el-Hagar sam al-shichmah ve'et-hayeled vay'shalcheha vatelech vateita bemidbar Be'er Sheva.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם אַבְרָהָ֣ם <small>׀</small> בַּבֹּ֡קֶר וַיִּֽקַּֽח־לֶ֩חֶם֩ וְחֵ֨מַת מַ֜יִם וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֶל־הָ֠גָ֠ר שָׂ֧ם עַל־שִׁכְמָ֛הּ וְאֶת־הַיֶּ֖לֶד וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֶ֑הָ וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ וַתֵּ֔תַע בְּמִדְבַּ֖ר בְּאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֣ם אַבְרָהָ֣ם ׀ בַּבֹּ֡קֶר וַיִּֽקַּֽח־לֶ֩חֶם֩ וְחֵ֨מַת מַ֜יִם וַיִּתֵּ֣ן אֶל־הָ֠גָ֠ר שָׂ֧ם עַל־שִׁכְמָ֛הּ וְאֶת־הַיֶּ֖לֶד וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֶ֑הָ וַתֵּ֣לֶךְ וַתֵּ֔תַע בְּמִדְבַּ֖ר בְּאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃

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Parasha Commentary

Avraham's Early Morning Actions

The verse begins with Avraham rising early in the morning (וַיַּשְׁכֵּם בַּבֹּקֶר), which Rashi explains as a sign of his eagerness to fulfill Hashem's command (Bereishit 22:3). This demonstrates Avraham's characteristic zerizut (alacrity) in performing mitzvot, even in difficult circumstances like sending away Hagar and Yishmael.

The Provisions Given to Hagar

Avraham provides bread and a bottle of water (לֶחֶם וְחֵמַת מַיִם). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 53:13) notes that the bread was from matzah, baked during Pesach, showing Avraham's observance of mitzvot even before Matan Torah. The limited provisions reflect the trial of faith—Avraham trusted in Hashem's promise that Yishmael would become a great nation (Bereishit 21:13).

Hagar's Burden and the Wilderness

The verse describes Hagar carrying the provisions and the child (שָׂם עַל־שִׁכְמָהּ וְאֶת־הַיֶּלֶד). Ramban suggests that Yishmael, though a teenager (based on chronology), was weakened by illness, necessitating Hagar's support. The wilderness of Be'er Sheva (מִדְבַּר בְּאֵר שָׁבַע) symbolizes spiritual desolation, as the Midrash connects מִדְבַּר (wilderness) to מְדַבֵּר (speaking)—a place where one calls out to Hashem in distress (Shemot Rabbah 2:4).

Theological Implications

  • Divine Providence: Despite the harshness of the situation, Hashem later reveals a well to Hagar (Bereishit 21:19), demonstrating that He oversees even the most desperate circumstances.
  • Avraham's Compassion: Though commanded to send them away, Avraham acts with kindness, providing sustenance—a lesson in balancing obedience with mercy (Talmud, Bava Metzia 87a).
  • Yishmael's Future: The wandering foreshadows Yishmael's destiny as a nomadic people (Bereishit 16:12), yet also fulfills Hashem's promise of his survival and greatness.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Rosh Hashanah 16b
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the timing of divine judgment, illustrating how Abraham's actions in the morning symbolize the time of judgment.
📖 Sanhedrin 89b
The verse is cited in a discussion about the trials of Abraham, emphasizing his obedience and the hardships he faced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Avraham send Hagar and Yishmael away?
A: Avraham sent Hagar and Yishmael away at Sarah's request and with Hashem's approval (Genesis 21:12). The Midrash explains that Sarah saw Yishmael's negative influence on Yitzchak (Bereishit Rabbah 53:11). Rashi notes that this was a difficult but necessary decision to ensure Yitzchak would be the proper spiritual heir.
Q: Why did Avraham give them only bread and water?
A: The Torah emphasizes Avraham's kindness even in this difficult moment. Rashi explains that giving bread and water showed Avraham's compassion, as he provided for their immediate needs (Rashi on Genesis 21:14). The Midrash adds that this 'bottle of water' later became miraculous in the desert (Bereishit Rabbah 53:13).
Q: What can we learn from Avraham waking up early to do this?
A: Avraham's early rising teaches us two lessons: 1) When performing a mitzvah (even a difficult one), we should do it with alacrity (Pirkei Avot 1:15). 2) The Rambam teaches that we should judge others favorably - Avraham didn't delay, showing he wanted to fulfill Hashem's command properly (Hilchot Deot 5:7).
Q: Why does the Torah mention that Hagar wandered in the desert?
A: The Torah describes Hagar's wandering to show her distress and to set the stage for the miracle that follows (when Hashem shows her the well). The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 16b) connects this to the future merit of Yishmael's descendants, showing that even difficult events can have positive outcomes in Hashem's plan.
Q: How does this story relate to the Jewish people today?
A: This episode teaches several enduring lessons: 1) The importance of following Hashem's commands even when difficult (like Avraham did). 2) That our actions should combine justice with compassion (as Avraham showed). 3) The Talmud (Megillah 14a) notes that Hagar's suffering led to her prayer being answered, teaching us about the power of sincere prayer in difficult times.