Genesis 16:13

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And 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?

Complete Jewish Bible:

So she named ADONAI who had spoken with her El Ro'i [God of seeing], because she said, "Have I really seen the One who sees me [and stayed alive]?"

Berean Standard Bible:

So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!”

American Standard Version:

And 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?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And she called^{H7121} the name^{H8034} of the LORD^{H3068} that spake^{H1696} unto her, Thou God^{H410} seest me^{H7210}: for she said^{H559}, Have I also here^{H1988} looked^{H7200} after him^{H310} that seeth me^{H7210}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 16:13

Genesis 16:13 is a poignant verse set within the broader narrative of the Patriarchal stories in the Hebrew Bible. It features Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarah, who becomes a surrogate mother for Sarah and Abraham's child after Sarah's prolonged infertility. When Hagar conceives, the dynamics between her and Sarah become strained, leading to Hagar's mistreatment and subsequent flight into the wilderness.

In this moment of isolation and despair, Hagar encounters the angel of the Lord at a spring in the desert. The angel instructs her to return to Sarah and promises that her descendants will be numerous. It is after this divine encounter that Hagar declares the name of the Lord as "Thou God seest me" (El Roi in Hebrew). This name reflects a profound theological revelation—that God is omniscient and omnipresent, witnessing human struggles and actions, even in the most remote and desolate places.

The verse underscores themes of divine presence, providence, and personal encounter with God. It also highlights the recognition of God's awareness and concern for the marginalized and oppressed, as Hagar, a servant and a foreigner, experiences a direct revelation from the Lord. This interaction is historically significant as it represents one of the earliest accounts of a personal theophany in the Bible, predating the more formal establishment of the Israelite religion, and it stands as a testament to the inclusive nature of God's attention and care. Hagar's acknowledgment of God's sight sets a precedent for the idea that no one is beyond the reach of the Divine, and it resonates with the broader biblical motif that God hears the cries of the afflicted and responds with compassion and guidance.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H410
   There are 307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵל
   Transliteration: ʼêl
   Pronunciation: ale
   Description: shortened from אַיִל; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity); God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.'
   
6. Strong's Number: H7210
   There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֳאִי
   Transliteration: rŏʼîy
   Pronunciation: ro-ee'
   Description: from רָאָה; sight, whether abstractly (vision) or concretely (a spectacle); gazingstock, look to, (that) see(-th).
   
7. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1988
   There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הֲלֹם
   Transliteration: hălôm
   Pronunciation: hal-ome'
   Description: from the article (see הָלְאָהxlit hâlᵉâh corrected to hâlᵉʼâh); hither; here, hither(-(to)), thither.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7200
   There are 1212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָאָה
   Transliteration: râʼâh
   Pronunciation: raw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative); advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions.
   
10. Strong's Number: H310
    There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַחַר
    Transliteration: ʼachar
    Pronunciation: akh-ar'
    Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with.