Don Isaac Abravanel (1437-1508) was a preeminent Jewish thinker, scholar, and prolific Biblical
commentator. In Genesis chapter 21, we learn about Sarah’s miracles associated with Isaac’s birth and
first years.
“And she said: Who would have said regarding Abraham, that Sarah
should nurse children – for I have borne him a son in his old age. And
the child grew, and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on
the day that Isaac was weaned.”
Abravanel asks a two-tiered question on the verse: “And she said: Who would have said regarding
Abraham, that Sarah should nurse children…” Specifically, Abravanel questions the peculiar placement
of the verse. Sarah’s puzzlement would have made more sense in an earlier chapter, when Abraham first
learned of the impending miracle (birth) and not at present, after the baby was delivered.
Second, he queries: Why was Sarah flabbergasted? “Who would have said” appears to be a question of
source, as in: From where/who did the information come? Yet, if Sarah asked regarding the source, the
answer is straightforward: Either God or His messenger relayed news of Isaac’s imminent birth.
Before we bring Abravanel’s response, let us bring one more related question on the other verse quoted
above: “And the child grew, and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac
was weaned.” The question is, why did Abraham make a feast after Isaac was weaned? Logically, the bash should
have taken place either at Isaac’s birth or circumcision. After all, from time immemorial Jews have
joyously celebrated their son’s entrance into the covenant, on day eight after birth.
Abravanel asks a two-tiered question on the verse: “And she said: Who would have said regarding
Abraham, that Sarah should nurse children…” Specifically, Abravanel questions the peculiar placement
of the verse. Sarah’s puzzlement would have made more sense in an earlier chapter, when Abraham first
learned of the impending miracle (birth) and not at present, after the baby was delivered.
Second, he queries: Why was Sarah flabbergasted? “Who would have said” appears to be a question of
source, as in: From where/who did the information come? Yet, if Sarah asked regarding the source, the
answer is straightforward: Either God or His messenger relayed news of Isaac’s imminent birth.
Abravanel quotes one classic commentator who suggested that Abraham waited until the weaning in
order to make sure Isaac was healthy and hardy. That’s illogical, Abravanel remarks. The patriarch knew
that Isaac would be just fine, a testament to Abraham’s trust in the Maker’s promise: “For in Isaac shall
seed be called to you.”
Abravanel’s answers follow. No sooner had Sarah given birth to a miracle baby than she experienced an
aftershock, courtesy of the Creator; she lactated. Given Sarah’s well-advanced years, when her body
should have lost its suppleness, nature provided a most kind reversal. She lactated like a young mother.
“And she said: Who would have said regarding Abraham, that Sarah should nurse children.”
Sarah had been apprised of Isaac’s birth. Thus, she was not only eagerly awaiting her baby, but she also
mentally prepared for it, since Abraham had shared the joyous tidings received from Above. However,
her ability to produce milk came out of nowhere. Hence, Sarah’s rhetorical question here: “And she said: Who would have said regarding Abraham, that Sarah should nurse children.” It was the matriarch’s way of conveying the bombshell, one in which she had been kept in the dark. Neither God nor His angel, nor
any mortal whispered a word about it to Abraham.
Without a doubt, Abravanel continues, divine providence had smiled on Isaac. Heaven didn’t want Isaac
to suckle from Canaanite women, foreign breasts.
Alternatively, “Who would have said regarding Abraham that Sarah should nurse children” may allude to
an alternative tack than the one just mentioned. It ties into the question of the timing of the celebration
for Isaac. Possibly, the Creator had not bent nature and rejuvenated Sarah, as far as nursing was
concerned. The nonagenarian managed, with utmost difficulty, to eke out and produce a bit of milk for
Isaac. “And the child grew, and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was
weaned.” In appreciation of the little boy’s reasonable development, despite mom’s meager milk
supply, Abraham celebrated. It was the patriarch’s way of acknowledging and expressing thanksgiving
for the Creator’s compassion.
In sum, we now understand that Abraham had not thrown a party when Isaac was born. We also grasp
the reason why Isaac’s circumcision had not been marked by celebration. Abraham had been apprised
from the Almighty about those events, as wondrous as they were. To the core, the patriarch had been
profoundly moved by the Maker’s affection, granting Sarah the ability to suckle Isaac full term. Now,
that called for public celebration!
