Genesis16
King James Version · Public Domain
1Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
3And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.
6But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
7And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
8And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
10And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.
12And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
13And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
14Wherefore the well was called Beer–lahai–roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
15And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 16.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Sarai gives Hagar to Abram. (1–3). Hagar's misbehaviour to Sarai. (4–6). The Angel commands Hagar to return, The promise to her Birth of Ishmael. (7–16).
vv1-3
Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is doubtful.
vv4-6
Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon made a great deal of mischief. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow us, when we go out of the way of our duty. See it in this case, Passionate people often quarrel with others, for things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon thee. That is never said wisely, which pride and anger put into our mouths. Those are not always in the right, who are most loud and forward in appealing to God: such rash and bold imprecations commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation, by despising her mistress. Those that suffer for their faults, ought to bear it patiently, 1Pe 2:20.
vv7-16
Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we are, would often teach us our duty. Inquiring whence we came, would show us our sin and folly. Considering whither we shall go, discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their space and duty, must hasten their return, how mortifying soever it be. The declaration of the Angel, “I will,” shows this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God. Hagar could not but admire the Lord's mercy, and feel, Have I, who am so unworthy, been favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord? She was brought to a better temper, returned, and by her behaviour softened Sarai, and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!
Key Words
שָׂרַי: Sarai, the wife of Abraham
אַבְרָם: Abram, the original name of Abraham
אִשָּׁה: a woman
יָלַד: to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שִׁפְחָה: a female slave (as a member of the household)
מִצְרִי: a Mitsrite, or inhabitant of Mitsrajim
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
הָגָר: Hagar, the mother of Ishmael
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
Cross References
Genesis 16New Testament theological exposition of Hagar the Egyptian handmaid representing the covenant of Sinai.
Paul uses Hagar and Sarah to allegorize the two covenants (law vs promise).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct parallel of obtaining children through a handmaid, repeated later by Rachel with Bilhah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Exhortation for servants to submit to harsh masters, directly reflecting the angel's command to Hagar.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Legal background regarding the status and children of female servants/bond-women.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal parallel: Abram 'hearkened to the voice of Sarai' as Adam did to Eve.
A proverb describing an odious thing: 'an handmaid that is heir to her mistress' insolence.
Parallel use of the phrase 'the Lord judge between me and thee' in interpersonal disputes.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The tragic outcome when Sarah sees the son of Hagar the Egyptian mocking.
Geographical and ancestral link to Shur where Ishmael's descendants eventually settled.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies the speaking 'Angel of the Lord' as the uncreated Messenger of the Covenant.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's explicit promise to Abraham to multiply Ishmael exceedingly, fulfilling the angel's promise.
Poetic amplification of Hagar's confession: 'Thou God seest me' in the wilderness.
Identifies the location of Shur, confirming it is on the border of Egypt.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Comparing wild men to the wild ass, illustrating the prophecy concerning Ishmael.
Subsequent narrative use of Beer-lahai-roi, the well named by Hagar.