This Genesis 21 Quiz is designed to challenge your knowledge of one of the chapters in the Book of Genesis.
Each question is crafted to make you think critically and recall details from the chapter.
Bible Trivia Quiz Questions on Genesis Chapter 21
Are you ready to put your knowledge to the test?
Let’s begin!
Genesis 21 Quiz with Answers and Explanation
Question No. 1
What did God say He would do to Sarah as He had spoken?
- A. Make her name known in all nations
- B. Visit her with many dreams
- C. Fulfill His promise and bless her with a son
- D. Allow her to travel to a far country
- E. Give her wealth and servants
Answer: C. Fulfill His promise and bless her with a son
Explanation: Genesis 21:1 states that the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the fulfillment of this was giving her a son, Isaac, in her old age.
Question No. 2
How old was Abraham when Isaac was born?
- A. 90 years old
- B. 100 years old
- C. 120 years old
- D. 99 years old
- E. 80 years old
Answer: B. 100 years old
Explanation: Genesis 21:5 explicitly mentions that Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born unto him.
Question No. 3
What did Sarah declare after Isaac’s birth?
- A. “The Lord hath favored me above women.”
- B. “The child shall be a mighty prophet.”
- C. “God hath made me to laugh.”
- D. “Let all who hear rejoice with me.”
- E. “The Lord hath blessed our household.”
Answer: C. “God hath made me to laugh.”
Explanation: Genesis 21:6 records Sarah’s joyful declaration, as she expressed that God had made her laugh in joy, and others would laugh with her too.
Question No. 4
At what age was Isaac circumcised?
- A. Eight days old
- B. One month old
- C. One year old
- D. Seven days old
- E. Twelve days old
Answer: A. Eight days old
Explanation: According to Genesis 21:4, Abraham circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old, following God’s command.
Question No. 5
What did Sarah notice about Ishmael that made her upset?
- A. He refused to help with chores
- B. He questioned Sarah’s authority
- C. He ignored Abraham’s instructions
- D. He stole from their household
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: Genesis 21:9 reveals that Sarah saw Ishmael, the son of Hagar, mocking Isaac, which greatly upset her.
Question No. 6
What did Sarah ask Abraham to do after seeing Ishmael’s behavior?
- A. Send Ishmael and Hagar away
- B. Build a separate tent for Hagar
- C. Discipline Ishmael publicly
- D. Make Ishmael serve Isaac
- E. Sell Hagar and Ishmael into slavery
Answer: A. Send Ishmael and Hagar away
Explanation: Genesis 21:10 tells us that Sarah demanded that Abraham cast out Hagar and her son, Ishmael, so that Ishmael would not share in Isaac’s inheritance.
Question No. 7
How did Abraham initially feel about casting out Ishmael?
- A. Pleased to obey Sarah
- B. Hopeful for peace between the sons
- C. Angry at Sarah’s suggestion
- D. Indifferent to the situation
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: Genesis 21:11 states that the matter was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because Ishmael was still his son.
Question No. 8
What did God tell Abraham regarding Sarah’s request to send Hagar and Ishmael away?
- A. “Do not listen to her.”
- B. “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
- C. “I will make Ishmael a ruler over nations.”
- D. “Bring peace to your household.”
- E. “Take Hagar as your concubine.”
Answer: B. “In Isaac shall thy seed be called.”
Explanation: In Genesis 21:12, God instructed Abraham to listen to Sarah, for it was through Isaac that the promised lineage would continue.
Question No. 9
Where did Hagar and Ishmael wander after they were sent away?
- A. In the land of Egypt
- B. Through the wilderness of Shur
- C. In the wilderness of Beersheba
- D. Across the plains of Canaan
- E. Along the Jordan River
Answer: C. In the wilderness of Beersheba
Explanation: Genesis 21:14 mentions that Hagar and Ishmael wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba after leaving Abraham’s household.
Question No. 10
What did Hagar do when their water was gone in the wilderness?
- A. Prayed to God for help
- B. Wept and left Ishmael under a shrub
- C. Returned to Abraham’s tent
- D. Dug a well by herself
- E. Asked strangers for water
Answer: B. Wept and left Ishmael under a shrub
Explanation: Genesis 21:15-16 describes how, in despair, Hagar placed Ishmael under a shrub and wept, fearing he would die from thirst.
Question No. 11
What did the angel of God say to Hagar when He called to her from heaven?
- A. “Return to your master.”
- B. “Arise, lift up the lad.”
- C. “I will lead you to water.”
- D. “Seek out a new home.”
- E. “Fear not, for Ishmael shall live.”
Answer: B. “Arise, lift up the lad.”
Explanation: Genesis 21:17-18 shows that God, through the angel, encouraged Hagar to rise and lift Ishmael, reassuring her that the boy would not die.
Question No. 12
What miracle occurred after the angel spoke to Hagar?
- A. The sky opened and rain fell
- B. A well of water appeared
- C. A stream began to flow in the desert
- D. Hagar’s vessel was filled with water
- E. Ishmael’s strength was renewed
Answer: B. A well of water appeared
Explanation: Genesis 21:19 tells us that God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well of water, which saved their lives.
Question No. 13
Where did Ishmael eventually settle as he grew up?
- A. Egypt
- B. Paran
- C. Beersheba
- D. Moab
- E. Midian
Answer: B. Paran
Explanation: Genesis 21:21 states that Ishmael dwelt in the wilderness of Paran and became an archer.
Question No. 14
Who found a wife for Ishmael?
- A. Abraham
- B. Hagar
- C. Sarah
- D. An Egyptian woman
- E. None of the above
Answer: B. Hagar
Explanation: Genesis 21:21 mentions that Hagar took an Egyptian wife for Ishmael.
Question No. 15
What was the name of the place where Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant?
- A. Bethel
- B. Beersheba
- C. Shechem
- D. Hebron
- E. Salem
Answer: B. Beersheba
Explanation: Genesis 21:31 records that the place where Abraham and Abimelech swore an oath was named Beersheba.
Question No. 16
What did Abraham give Abimelech to seal their covenant?
- A. A hundred silver coins
- B. Seven lambs
- C. A well and seven lambs
- D. His staff
- E. An altar
Answer: B. Seven lambs
Explanation: Genesis 21:28-30 explains that Abraham set apart seven lambs as a witness to their covenant.
Question No. 17
What complaint did Abimelech raise against Abraham?
- A. Disrespect toward his people
- B. Use of his servants without consent
- C. Seizing a well violently
- D. Trespassing on his land
- E. None of the above
Answer: C. Seizing a well violently
Explanation: Genesis 21:25 records that Abimelech complained about Abraham’s servants violently taking a well.
Question No. 18
After making the covenant, what did Abraham do in Beersheba?
- A. Built a tower
- B. Planted a grove
- C. Offered a burnt sacrifice
- D. Called upon the name of the Lord
- E. Established a new altar
Answer: D. Called upon the name of the Lord
Explanation: Genesis 21:33 says Abraham called on the name of the everlasting God in Beersheba.
Question No. 19
How long did Abraham stay in the land of the Philistines?
- A. A few months
- B. Several years
- C. Many days
- D. Until Sarah’s death
- E. His entire life
Answer: C. Many days
Question No. 20
What is the significance of Isaac’s birth in Genesis 21?
- A. It introduces the theme of sibling rivalry.
- B. It shows that Sarah was wrong to doubt God.
- C. It marks the end of Hagar’s story.
- D. It indicates that Abraham’s faith was finally rewarded.
- E. None of the above
Answer: E. None of the above
Explanation: The birth of Isaac is a pivotal moment in Genesis 21, as it fulfills God’s long-standing promise to Abraham that he would have a son through Sarah, affirming His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 21:1-2).