Genesis 21:9

Mocking. Some commentators translate the Hebrew word mesacheq, KJV “mocking,” as “playing,” and conclude that Sarah’s declaration in the following verse was the result of jealousy. They think she could not endure the thought of Ishmael’s sharing in Abraham’s inheritance. Others explain this text in the light of Paul’s explanation that Ishmael was expelled from his father’s home for persecuting Isaac (Gal. 4:29,30).

The verb mesacheq, “mocking,” is from the same root word as Isaac, “to laugh.”

Here used in the intensive form, however, it expresses something more than simple laughter — rather, ridicule. Lot seemed to his sons-in-law “as one that mocked,” or made fun of their good judgment; he seemed to be joking (Gen. 19:14). The same word is used of Joseph, who, Potiphar’s wife said, had come “to mock us,” that is, to make sport of her husband’s generosity toward him (ch. 39:14-17). The revelry of the Israelites before the golden calf is also described by the same verb, translated rather inappropriately in the KJV as “to play” (Ex. 32:6). The Philistines called for blind Samson “to make sport” for them (Judges 16:25). The only instance in which the word is used in a favorable sense occurs in Gen. 26:8, where it describes Isaac’s caressing of Rebekah. According to the majority of instances in which the intensive form of this verb is used, then, Ishmael was “always mocking,” or taunting, Isaac.

Ishmael was 14 years older than Isaac, and therefore about 17 when Isaac was weaned (see ch. 16:3; 21:5). He had no doubt ever considered himself the eldest son and heir of Abraham. The birth of Isaac, however, and the weaning feast made it apparent that Sarah’s son was to replace him, and as a result his jealousy was aroused. Little wonder that Ishmael taunted Isaac on being the younger, and consequently ineligible to the rights and privileges of the birthright.