King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Avram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she conceived. But when she became aware that she was pregnant, she looked on her mistress with contempt.
Berean Standard Bible:
And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
American Standard Version:
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he went in{H935} unto Hagar{H1904}, and she conceived{H2029}: and when she saw{H7200} that she had conceived{H2029}, her mistress{H1404} was despised{H7043} in her eyes{H5869}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Proverbs 30:23
- For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
2 Samuel 6:16
- And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
1 Corinthians 13:4
- ¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1 Corinthians 13:5
- Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Proverbs 30:20
- Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Proverbs 30:21
- For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:
1 Samuel 1:6
- And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 16:4
1. **Themes:**
- **Fulfillment of Promises:** The conception of a child by Hagar is a response to the promise of offspring made by God to Abram (later Abraham).
- **Human Solutions to Divine Promises:** The narrative reflects the human tendency to take matters into one's own hands when divine promises seem delayed.
- **Social Hierarchy and Tension:** The verse highlights the complex social dynamics of the time, particularly the relationship between a barren mistress and a fertile servant who becomes pregnant.
- **Consequences of Action:** The verse sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and foreshadows the complicated family relationships that will follow.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Society:** The events occur in a patriarchal society where infertility was a significant personal and social issue, and having children was crucial for lineage and inheritance.
- **Cultural Practices:** It was customary for a barren wife to provide her husband with a concubine or servant to bear children on her behalf. This practice was a means of ensuring offspring and preserving the family line.
- **Abram's Faith Journey:** Abram's actions reflect his faith in God's promise that he would have numerous descendants, yet his impatience leads to a deviation from what might be considered God's ideal plan for his family.
- **Early Development of Israel:** The story of Hagar and her son Ishmael is part of the foundational narrative of the Israelite people, setting the stage for the later birth of Isaac and the development of the covenant between God and the Israelites.
In summary, Genesis 16:4 captures the complex interplay between divine promise, human impatience, and social norms, reflecting the broader themes of faith, trust, and the fulfillment of God's promises within the patriarchal narratives of the Bible.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H1904
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָגָר
Transliteration: Hâgâr
Pronunciation: haw-gawr'
Description: of uncertain (perhaps foreign) derivation; Hagar, the mother of Ishmael; Hagar. - Strong's Number: H2029
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרָה
Transliteration: hârâh
Pronunciation: haw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. - 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. - Strong's Number: H1404
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּבֶרֶת
Transliteration: gᵉbereth
Pronunciation: gheb-eh'-reth
Description: feminine of גְּבִיר; mistress; lady, mistress. - Strong's Number: H7043
There are 79 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָלַל
Transliteration: qâlal
Pronunciation: kaw-lal'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.); abate, make bright, bring into contempt, (ac-) curse, despise, (be) ease(-y, -ier), (be a, make, make somewhat, move, seem a, set) light(-en, -er, -ly, -ly afflict, -ly esteem, thing), [idiom] slight(-ly), be swift(-er), (be, be more, make, re-) vile, whet. - Strong's Number: H5869
There are 830 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַיִן
Transliteration: ʻayin
Pronunciation: ah'-yin
Description: probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape); affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves).