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.
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Sarai Gives Hagar to Abram

1
Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. ​
2
And 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. ​
3
And 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. ​
4
And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Conflict and Hagar’s Flight

5
And 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. ​
6
But 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. ​

The Angel of the LORD Appears to Hagar

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. ​
8
And 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.
9
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. ​
10
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
11
And 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. ​
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 brethren. ​
13
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? ​
14
Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

The Birth of Ishmael

15
And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.
16
And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare 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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