American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Genesis 16
1
Now Sarai Abram's wife bore him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Galatians 4:24
Genesis 12:16
Genesis 21:12
Genesis 11:30
Genesis 25:21
Luke 1:7
Luke 1:36
Judges 13:2
References Egypt
Genesis 21:21
2
And Sarai said to Abram, Behold now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing: I pray you, go in to my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Reference
3
And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelled ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 16:5
4
And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Reference
Parallel theme
Proverbs 30:23
5
And Sarai said to Abram, My wrong be on you: I have given my maid into your bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and you.
Reference
6
But Abram said to Sarai, Behold, your maid is in your hand; do to her as it pleases you. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 38:5
7
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
Reference
📍 Shur
People
Parallel theme
Exodus 15:22
Genesis 25:18
Genesis 21:17
Genesis 31:11
Genesis 20:1
1 Samuel 15:7
References Lord
Proverbs 15:3
Genesis 22:15
Genesis 22:11
8
And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, from where came you? and where will you go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
Reference
9
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.
10
And the angel of the LORD said to her, I will multiply your seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
Reference
11
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Behold, you are with child and shall bear a son, and shall call his name Ishmael; because the LORD has heard your affliction.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 22:24
Genesis 17:19
Job 38:41
Exodus 3:9
Luke 1:63
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:31
References Lord
Exodus 3:7
Isaiah 7:14
1 Samuel 1:20
12
And 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 brothers.
Reference
13
And she called the name of the LORD that spoke to her, You God see me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that sees me?
Reference
References God
Genesis 32:30
Genesis 31:42
References Lord
Proverbs 5:21
Proverbs 15:3
Genesis 16:7
Genesis 22:14
15
And Hagar bore Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bore, Ishmael.
Reference
People
Parallel theme
Genesis 25:12
16
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.
Summary of Genesis 16
Genesis chapter sixteen resumes the saga that was left hanging at the end of chapter fifteen: Abram and Sarai still do not have a child together, even though God has promised to bless them with one. This time, however, the situation provokes actions with consequences far beyond the family.
The chapter opens with a reminder that Sarai has not been able to bear children forAbram, but she does have an Egyptian servant, Hagar (Genesis 16:1). Sarai proposes a solution to the problem: "The Lord hath withholden me from children: go in, I pray thee, unto my maid, that she may bear children unto thee" (Genesis 16:2). This suggestion was not unusual in those days, as the practice was socially acceptable. Nevertheless, the reason for it was impatience, and Abram accepted the offer. Hagar became pregnant.
Everything went well until Hagar discovered that she was pregnant; her attitude towards Sarai soon began to change. It seems that she considered herself on a level with her mistress, and this prompted Sarai to treat Hagar even more harshly than before. When Sarai complained to Abram about Hagar, he responded that the matter was her responsibility: "thy maid-servant, keep her under thine hand" (Genesis 16:6). Sarai harassed Hagar, who soon fled into the desert near a well on the road toShur.
There, Hagar meets with theangel of the Lord, who speaks to her and asks her where she is going and where she came from. She tells the angel that she is running away from her mistress, Sarai (Genesis 16:8). The angel tells her to return to Sarai and submit to her. At first glance, this may seem like an unreasonable order since Hagar has every reason to resent her mistress. However, the angel assured Hagar that God would bless her with many descendants, so that she could notcount them (Genesis 16:10). In addition, the angel of the Lord tells Hagar that she will have a son, and she shall call him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard thy complaint (Genesis 16:11).
The name Ishmael means God has heard, and this message carries a special meaning for Hagar because it is connected with her flight. The angel predicts that Ishmael will be a wild man: "And he shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him" (Genesis 16:12). Nevertheless, the Lord has destined him to become the ancestor of a mighty nation.
Hagar praises theLord for His mercy: "And she called the name of the Lord, Who spake unto her, Thou art a God of sight" (Genesis 16:13). And she named the wellBeer-lahai-roi, which means "Well of the Living God" (Genesis 16:14). Perhaps this is one of the most remarkable examples of how God looks after his servants. Despite the hardships and harassment, Hagar remained faithful to God, and He rewarded her with eternal glory and gave her a son.
Hagar returned to Sarai, who treated her with less hostility. Hagar soon gave birth to Abram's son, whom he named Ishmael. The last verse in the chapter tells us that Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born.
There is much drama and intrigue in this chapter of the Bible, as jealousy and anger lead to grievous sins. Sarai, unable to have a child, suggests to Abram that he take her maid-servant Hagar for his wife. From a human point of view, this suggestion was not unreasonable, but it shows how impulsive Sarai was. It also shows us that human actions are often influenced by emotions, not reason. This episode demonstrates that God cares not only about His chosen people, Abram, but also about all people in general. That is why Hagar, a humble servant, was also heard by God and promised that her son would be great.
It is also noteworthy that the Bible devotes several verses to the fate of Hagar. A person treated with dignity and respect can expect some reward from the Lord. However, even ordinary people who have earned the scorn and hatred of other people can receive special mercy from God.
The chapter opens with a reminder that Sarai has not been able to bear children forAbram, but she does have an Egyptian servant, Hagar (Genesis 16:1). Sarai proposes a solution to the problem: "The Lord hath withholden me from children: go in, I pray thee, unto my maid, that she may bear children unto thee" (Genesis 16:2). This suggestion was not unusual in those days, as the practice was socially acceptable. Nevertheless, the reason for it was impatience, and Abram accepted the offer. Hagar became pregnant.
Everything went well until Hagar discovered that she was pregnant; her attitude towards Sarai soon began to change. It seems that she considered herself on a level with her mistress, and this prompted Sarai to treat Hagar even more harshly than before. When Sarai complained to Abram about Hagar, he responded that the matter was her responsibility: "thy maid-servant, keep her under thine hand" (Genesis 16:6). Sarai harassed Hagar, who soon fled into the desert near a well on the road toShur.
There, Hagar meets with theangel of the Lord, who speaks to her and asks her where she is going and where she came from. She tells the angel that she is running away from her mistress, Sarai (Genesis 16:8). The angel tells her to return to Sarai and submit to her. At first glance, this may seem like an unreasonable order since Hagar has every reason to resent her mistress. However, the angel assured Hagar that God would bless her with many descendants, so that she could notcount them (Genesis 16:10). In addition, the angel of the Lord tells Hagar that she will have a son, and she shall call him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard thy complaint (Genesis 16:11).
The name Ishmael means God has heard, and this message carries a special meaning for Hagar because it is connected with her flight. The angel predicts that Ishmael will be a wild man: "And he shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and every man's hand against him" (Genesis 16:12). Nevertheless, the Lord has destined him to become the ancestor of a mighty nation.
Hagar praises theLord for His mercy: "And she called the name of the Lord, Who spake unto her, Thou art a God of sight" (Genesis 16:13). And she named the wellBeer-lahai-roi, which means "Well of the Living God" (Genesis 16:14). Perhaps this is one of the most remarkable examples of how God looks after his servants. Despite the hardships and harassment, Hagar remained faithful to God, and He rewarded her with eternal glory and gave her a son.
Hagar returned to Sarai, who treated her with less hostility. Hagar soon gave birth to Abram's son, whom he named Ishmael. The last verse in the chapter tells us that Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born.
There is much drama and intrigue in this chapter of the Bible, as jealousy and anger lead to grievous sins. Sarai, unable to have a child, suggests to Abram that he take her maid-servant Hagar for his wife. From a human point of view, this suggestion was not unreasonable, but it shows how impulsive Sarai was. It also shows us that human actions are often influenced by emotions, not reason. This episode demonstrates that God cares not only about His chosen people, Abram, but also about all people in general. That is why Hagar, a humble servant, was also heard by God and promised that her son would be great.
It is also noteworthy that the Bible devotes several verses to the fate of Hagar. A person treated with dignity and respect can expect some reward from the Lord. However, even ordinary people who have earned the scorn and hatred of other people can receive special mercy from God.