21:17 the lad. Ishmael, who was now about sixteen years old, and his mother were praying. He perhaps had given her his own bread and water to sustain her in the desert.

21:17 angel of God. The “angel of God [Elohim]” had before been called the “angel of the LORD [Jehovah]” (Genesis 16:7). Previously, Hagar was under the Abrahamic covenant while still in Abraham’s household. Now she was on her own and the divine being is identified by His majestic name instead of His redemptive name.