Genesis 21:16

Hebrew Bible

15 When the water in the skin was gone, she shoved the child under one of the shrubs. 16 Then she went and sat down by herself across from him at quite a distance, about a bowshot, away; for she thought, “I refuse to watch the child die.” So she sat across from him and wept uncontrollably. 17 But God heard the boy’s voice. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and asked her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy’s voice right where he is crying. 18 Get up! Help the boy up and hold him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

LXX Genesis 21:16

Septuagint

15 Then the water from the skin gave out, and she cast the child under a silver fir. 16 And after departing she sat down opposite him a good way off, about a bowshot, for she said, “I will not look upon the death of my child.” And she was seated opposite him, and the child cried out and wept. 17 And God listened to the voice of the child from the place where he was, and God’s angel called Hagar from the sky and said to her, “What is it, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has given ear to the voice of your child from the place where he is. 18 Rise, take the child, and hold it fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

 Notes and References

"... The translator has changed the subject in the last clause of verse 16 to "the child" based on the fact that the first clause of verse 17 speaks of God's attentiveness to the youngster's voice. A perceived inconsistency is thus eliminated ..."

Hiebert, Robert J. V. Translation Technique in the Septuagint of Genesis and its Implications for the NETS Version (pp. 76-93) International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, Vol. 33, 2000

 User Comments

Do you have questions or comments about these texts? Please submit them here.