Definition: Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 21:18. It's a really significant passage about God’s plan for humanity! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying he wants to create humans and give them a big role. Let’s unpack the parts: “Arise, lift up the lad…” – This is poetic language. "Rise" means to get up or move forward. “Lift up” suggests a gentle, nurturing gesture. It's like God saying, "Let's start this creation." “…and hold him in thine hand…” - This emphasizes that God wants to take care of and nurture this new person. “For I will make him a great nation.” – This is the core of the verse. God promises to create (make) a “great nation” – meaning a large, influential group of people. What does it mean in bigger picture? This passage speaks about the beginning of humanity as we know it. Before there were humans, God created the earth and everything on it. But he wanted to create something new – us! This verse suggests that God is setting up a plan for humanity to grow and become a significant part of the world. It's a foundational story: This passage is often seen as a key moment in the Bible, marking the beginning of human existence and God’s intention for his creation. It's a beautiful image of God's love and plan. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any aspect of this verse? For example, we could talk about: The symbolism behind "lifting up the lad" (a common interpretation) Why this story is important in biblical history How this verse relates to the creation narrative as a whole