Genesis16

Sarai, being barren, gave her Egyptian handmaid Hagar to Abram to bear children. Hagar conceived, but then despised Sarai, leading Sarai to deal harshly with her, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness. The Angel of the LORD found Hagar, commanded her to return and submit, and promised her a numerous seed through a son named Ishmael. Hagar then bore Ishmael to Abram when he was eighty-six years old.

Sarai Gives Hagar to Abram

1
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. ​
2
Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my handmaid. It may be that I will obtain children by her.” Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. ​
3
Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife. ​
4
He went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Conflict and Hagar’s Flight

5
Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my handmaid into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes. The LORD judge between me and you.” ​
6
But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her face. ​

The Angel of the LORD Appears to Hagar

7
the LORD’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur. ​
8
He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.”
9
the LORD’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.” ​
10
the LORD’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your seed, that they will not be numbered for multitude.”
11
the LORD’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the LORD has heard your affliction. ​
12
He will be like a wild donkey among men. His hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. He will live opposite all of his brothers.” ​
13
She called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?” ​
14
Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

The Birth of Ishmael

15
Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael.
16
Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram. ​

Study Notes for Genesis 16

Verse 1

Hagar was an Egyptian slave, likely acquired during Abram’s stay in Egypt (Gen 12:16). Sarai's barrenness leads to this attempt to secure an heir outside of God’s direct promise, reflecting a lack of faith.

Verse 2

Sarai employs the common ancient Near Eastern practice of using a slave (a 'seed-bearer') to provide a surrogate heir. Abram’s compliance indicates a reliance on cultural custom rather than the unique, miraculous promise of God.

Verse 3

Ten years had passed since Abram entered Canaan (Gen 12:4). This delay tested their faith, prompting them to seek a human solution to fulfill the covenant promise.

Verse 5

Sarai shifts the blame to Abram for the consequence of her own plan, requesting divine judgment. This highlights how attempts to shortcut God’s timing often lead to internal conflict and relational damage.

Verse 6

Abram abdicates his responsibility by returning Hagar entirely to Sarai's control. Sarai's 'dealing hardly' (likely abusive treatment) causes Hagar to flee into the dangerous wilderness, risking death.

Verse 7

This is the first appearance of the 'Angel of the LORD,' often interpreted by scholars as a pre-incarnate appearance of God (a Christophany), due to the authority he exercises and the divine names Hagar later attributes to him.

Verse 9

The command to 'return and submit' emphasizes the divine ordering of relationships, even in difficult circumstances. Hagar is instructed to return to the covenant household, despite the abuse she endured.

Verse 11

The name Ishmael (Hebrew: Yishma'el) means 'God hears.' This signifies that God is attentive to the plight of the marginalized and afflicted, even those outside the immediate covenant line of promise.

Verse 12

This prophecy describes the characteristics of the nomadic Ishmaelites: fiercely independent ('wild donkey of a man') and often in conflict. Yet, he will 'dwell in the presence' of his kin, establishing a sovereign territory.

Verse 13

Hagar names God El-Roi ('God Who Sees Me'). She is the only person in Genesis to give God a personal name based on her experience, recognizing His intimate knowledge and care for her while alone.

Verse 16

Abram was 86 years old. Thirteen years passed between Ishmael’s birth and the covenant renewal in Genesis 17, during which time Ishmael was presumably viewed as the sole heir.

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