Genesis
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Genesis 16
Genesis 16
1Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Jehovah hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.
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.
Commentary · verses 1-2
3And Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife.
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.
Commentary · verse 3
Abram and Sarai violated their covenant with God when they tried to bring about God's portion themselves through Hagar. Notice, Abram was married to Hagar and Sarai because he had consensual sexual intercourse with her, even Sarai consented. In fact, this was Sarai's idea. Abram took direction from Sarai, like Adam did with Eve?
4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
4And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Commentary · verse 4
Sarai realized her mistake.
Doctrines on this passage
5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: Jehovah judge between me and thee.
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.
Commentary · verse 5
Sarai's response was very different than Eve's. Sarai did not justify herself (like Eve) but admitted she was wrong and that her wrong actions affected Abram.
6But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her that which is good in thine eyes. And Sarai dealt hardly with her, and she fled from her face.
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.
Commentary · verse 6
Again, Abram took direction from Sarai. Although Abram was Sarai's husband, it did not seem like he was leading her. Hagar ended up being afflicted (dealt hardly) by Sarai as a result of Sarai's plan.
7And the angel of Jehovah found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
7And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
Commentary · verse 7
Hagar was found by the angel of Jehovah.
8And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, whence camest thou? and whither goest thou? And she said, I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.
9And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
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.
Commentary · verses 8-9
"Submit" meant "to intentionally (willfully agree to) give up your will." It happens from a position of power. Hagar had the upper hand on Sarai.
10And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Ishmael, because Jehovah hath heard thy affliction.
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.
Commentary · verses 10-11
God was responding to the injustice committed against Hagar. Hagar was pregnant with a son and was told to name him Ishmael. "Ishmael" meant "God will hear." This was the first record in the Bible of a person being named before he was born.
12And he shall be as a wild ass among men; his hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell over against all his brethren.
13And she called the name of Jehovah that spake unto her, Thou art a God that seeth: for she said, Have I even here looked after him that seeth me?
14Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
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.
Commentary · verses 12-14
"Beer-lahai-roi" meant "well of the Living One seeing me."
15And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
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.
Commentary · verses 15-16
Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born.
Sarai stated that God caused her to be barren. Sarai had a plan of her own.