Genesis 16:1

KJV

¶ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now Sarai {H8297} Abram's {H87} wife {H802} bare {H3205} him no {H3808} children {H3205}: and she had an handmaid {H8198}, an Egyptian {H4713}, whose name {H8034} was Hagar {H1904}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now Sarai Avram's wife had not borne him a child. But she had an Egyptian slave-girl named Hagar;

Berean Standard Bible

Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar.

American Standard Version

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bare him no children: and she had a handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 16:1 marks a pivotal moment in the patriarchal narrative, introducing Hagar, an Egyptian handmaid, into the household of Abram and Sarai. This verse starkly highlights Sarai's persistent barrenness, a decade after God's unconditional covenant promise of countless descendants to Abram. It sets the stage for Sarai's culturally sanctioned, yet ultimately faithless, attempt to secure an heir through human means, initiating a chain of events fraught with relational strife and significant historical consequences that underscore the tension between divine promise and human impatience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 16:1 immediately follows God's profound covenant with Abram in [Genesis 15](/genesis/15 "Genesis 15 - God's Covenant with Abram"), where the Lord unequivocally reiterated His promise of an innumerable offspring and the land of Canaan ([Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God promises Abram countless descendants") and [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "God's promise of land to Abram")). The preceding chapter emphasized Abram's faith, which was "counted to him as righteousness" ([Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Abram's faith counted as righteousness")). However, approximately ten years have elapsed since Abram first entered Canaan, and Sarai remains childless, creating a significant narrative tension. This persistent barrenness, despite God's clear and repeated promises, forms the immediate backdrop for Sarai's decision to take matters into her own hands, introducing Hagar as a potential solution to their lack of an heir, thereby challenging the very nature of God's miraculous provision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, barrenness was a deeply distressing condition for women, often perceived as a sign of divine displeasure or a curse, and a profound threat to a family's legacy and social standing. Legal codes and societal customs of the time, such as those found in the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1754 BC) and the Nuzi tablets (mid-2nd millennium BC), illustrate that it was a common, though not universally practiced, custom for a barren wife to provide her husband with a slave or handmaid (a "concubine" or "surrogate") to bear children on her behalf. The offspring of such unions were legally considered the children of the primary wife. Sarai's action, therefore, aligns with prevailing cultural norms of the era, reflecting a pragmatic, human-centered approach to a problem that God had promised to solve supernaturally. Hagar's identification as "an Egyptian" is also significant, likely stemming from Abram and Sarai's earlier sojourn in Egypt ([Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Abram and Sarai in Egypt")).

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 16:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the recurring theme of **divine promise versus human impatience**, where God's timing and methods are often at odds with human expectations and attempts to expedite His plan. Secondly, it deepens the **motif of barrenness** in the matriarchal narratives (e.g., Rebekah in [Genesis 25:21](/genesis/25-21 "Rebekah's barrenness"), Rachel in [Genesis 29:31](/genesis/29-31 "Rachel's barrenness"), Hannah in [1_samuel/1-2](/1-samuel/1-2 "Hannah's barrenness")), which consistently serves to magnify God's miraculous power to open the womb and provide an heir, emphasizing that the promised seed is a gift of grace, not human effort. Lastly, the verse introduces the **consequences of human shortcuts and lack of faith**, foreshadowing the relational strife, jealousy, and long-standing ethnic conflicts that arise from Sarai's intervention, demonstrating that even well-intentioned human efforts outside of God's perfect will can lead to significant pain and complications.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The verse [Genesis 16:1](/genesis/16-1 "Genesis 16:1 - Sarai and Hagar") states: "¶ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar." This seemingly straightforward statement carries profound implications for the unfolding biblical narrative and the fulfillment of God's covenant.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **bare no children (Hebrew, _yâlad_ H3205, _lôʼ_ H3808):** The verb "yâlad" means "to bear young; to beget; to bring forth." Coupled with the negative particle "lôʼ," it emphatically states Sarai's inability to conceive and give birth. This highlights the central problem challenging God's promise of numerous descendants to Abram. Her barrenness underscores the human impossibility of fulfilling the divine promise without supernatural intervention, setting the stage for either a miracle or a human workaround.
* **handmaid (Hebrew, _shiphchâh_ H8198):** This term refers to a female slave or servant, typically a domestic worker within a household. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a _shiphchâh_ could be given by a barren wife to her husband to bear children on her behalf, with the offspring legally belonging to the wife. Sarai's possession of a "handmaid" provides the cultural mechanism through which she attempts to secure an heir, revealing a reliance on human custom rather than divine promise.
* **Hagar (Hebrew, _Hâgâr_ H1904):** The introduction of Hagar by name signifies her immediate importance in the narrative. Her name, of uncertain derivation (perhaps foreign), marks her as a distinct individual whose life will become intricately woven into the patriarchal history. She is not merely an anonymous servant but a specific person destined to play a crucial role in the lineage of Abram, leading to the birth of Ishmael and the subsequent conflicts that persist throughout biblical history and beyond.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children:"** This opening clause immediately re-establishes the central tension of the narrative: the unfulfilled promise of an heir. Despite God's explicit assurance of numerous descendants to Abram in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "God's promise to Abram"), Sarai's womb remains closed. The passage of ten years since Abram's arrival in Canaan ([Genesis 12:4](/genesis/12-4 "Abram leaves Haran")) amplifies the perceived delay and the growing anxiety within their household. This phrase underscores the human limitations and the perceived impossibility of God's promise being fulfilled through natural means, thereby setting the stage for Sarai's intervention.
* **"and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar."** This second clause introduces the human "solution" to the problem of barrenness. Sarai's possession of a "handmaid" is significant, as it was a culturally accepted practice for a barren wife to provide a servant to her husband for procreation. The detail that Hagar was "an Egyptian" is also crucial. This connects her to Abram and Sarai's earlier sojourn in Egypt ([Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Abram and Sarai in Egypt")), suggesting how she might have entered their household. Her foreign origin also foreshadows future conflicts between Abram's descendants and Egypt, and highlights her status as an outsider, which will contribute to the unique challenges arising from this arrangement. The naming of Hagar emphasizes her individual significance in the unfolding drama, signaling that she is not a mere background character but a pivotal figure whose actions will have lasting consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 16:1 employs several literary devices to enhance its narrative impact. **Juxtaposition** is evident in the stark contrast between God's grand, unconditional promise of countless descendants to Abram in the preceding chapter and the immediate reality of Sarai's barrenness. This highlights the tension between divine omnipotence and human limitation, setting up the narrative's central conflict. **Foreshadowing** is also present, particularly in the mention of Hagar's Egyptian origin, which subtly hints at the future conflicts between Abram's descendants and Egypt, a nation that will play a crucial role in Israel's history. Furthermore, the introduction of Hagar by name, rather than simply "a handmaid," uses **character introduction** to signal her significant, albeit complicated, role in the unfolding patriarchal narrative, ensuring the reader understands her importance beyond a mere servant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 16:1 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of faith, divine timing, and human intervention. It starkly illustrates the human tendency to take matters into one's own hands when God's promises seem delayed or impossible from a human perspective. Sarai's decision reflects a lack of patient trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to fulfill His word miraculously, rather than through human ingenuity or cultural custom. This narrative underscores God's sovereignty, demonstrating that His plans will ultimately prevail despite human failings and attempts to "help" Him. It also highlights the often painful consequences of seeking human solutions to divine promises, leading to relational strife and long-lasting complications within the family line, yet God remains faithful to His covenant.

* [Genesis 15:6](/genesis/15-6 "Abram's Faith Accounted as Righteousness") - Abram's faith was counted as righteousness, yet here, Sarai (and Abram by extension) struggles with patience.
* [Romans 4:18-21](/romans/4-18-21 "Abraham's Faith in God's Promise") - Paul later commends Abraham's unwavering faith in God's promise to make him the father of many nations, even when facing his own physical inability and Sarai's barrenness.
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher") - God's ways and thoughts are higher than human ways, a truth often learned through the consequences of human impatience.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 16:1 serves as a profound cautionary tale and a timeless encouragement for believers today. Sarai's actions, though understandable given her cultural context and the emotional distress of barrenness, highlight the universal human temptation to expedite God's promises through our own strength and wisdom when His timing seems slow or His methods unclear. For us, this verse calls for a deeper commitment to patient trust in God's faithfulness, even when circumstances appear insurmountable or His word seems to tarry. It reminds us that God's ways are higher than ours ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts are Higher Than Ours")), and His power is limitless. Therefore, we are encouraged to resist the urge to devise human "shortcuts" to divine promises, recognizing that such efforts, however well-intentioned, often lead to unforeseen complications and heartache, ultimately distracting from God's perfect plan and miraculous provision ([Genesis 21:2](/genesis/21-2 "The Birth of Isaac")). Our faith is truly tested not when we hear a promise, but when the fulfillment of that promise seems delayed or impossible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life are you tempted to "help" God fulfill His promises or plans, rather than patiently waiting on His timing?**
* **What are some potential "shortcuts" or human solutions you might be considering for a problem that God has promised to resolve?**
* **How can Sarai's story encourage you to cultivate greater patience and trust in God's sovereign timing, even when circumstances seem to contradict His word?**
* **What are the potential relational or spiritual consequences of acting out of impatience rather than faith in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why was Sarai barren, and how did this relate to God's promise?**

Answer: Sarai's barrenness is presented as a natural physiological condition, not explicitly stated as a punishment. Theologically, it served to highlight the miraculous nature of God's promise to Abram. If Sarai had conceived naturally and easily, the birth of the promised heir would not have been seen as a direct, supernatural act of God, but rather a normal biological event. Her barrenness thus magnified God's power and faithfulness when Isaac was eventually born in their old age ([Genesis 21:1-3](/genesis/21-1-3 "The Birth of Isaac")). This pattern of barrenness preceding a miraculous birth is a recurring motif in the Bible, emphasizing God's unique ability to bring life out of seemingly impossible situations.

**Was it common in ancient times for a barren wife to give her handmaid to her husband for children?**

Answer: Yes, this practice was a recognized custom in the ancient Near East, as evidenced by legal codes like the Code of Hammurabi and Nuzi tablets. It was a societal workaround for barrenness, allowing a family to secure an heir and continue its lineage. The children born from such unions were legally considered the offspring of the wife who provided the handmaid. However, while culturally accepted, the Bible portrays the relational strife and complications that arose from this practice, particularly in the case of Hagar and Sarai ([Genesis 16:4-6](/genesis/16-4-6 "Sarai's ill-treatment of Hagar") and [Genesis 21:9-10](/genesis/21-9-10 "Ishmael mocking Isaac")). This highlights that cultural norms, even if widespread, are not always aligned with God's perfect will or His intended path for His people.

**Why is Hagar's ethnicity as "an Egyptian" specifically mentioned?**

Answer: Hagar's Egyptian origin is significant for several reasons. It connects her to the period Abram and Sarai spent in Egypt ([Genesis 12:10-20](/genesis/12-10-20 "Abram and Sarai in Egypt")), suggesting she may have been acquired as a servant during that time. More importantly, it foreshadows the future relationship between Abram's descendants (Israel) and Egypt, a nation that would later enslave them and play a major role in their history ([Exodus 1](/exodus/1 "The Israelites in Egypt")). It also distinguishes Hagar as an outsider, setting the stage for the conflicts that arise from her unique position within Abram's household and the subsequent lineage of Ishmael, whose descendants would often be in conflict with the descendants of Isaac.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 16:1, with Sarai's barrenness and the human attempt to secure an heir through Hagar, powerfully underscores humanity's inherent inability to fulfill God's promises through its own efforts. This narrative points to the ultimate need for a divine solution to human limitations and the pervasive problem of sin. Just as Abram and Sarai could not produce the promised heir on their own, humanity cannot achieve righteousness or salvation by works of the law or human ingenuity. The story foreshadows the coming of Christ, the true "seed" and ultimate heir, who is born not of human will or flesh, but by the miraculous intervention of God ([John 1:13](/john/1-13 "Born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God")). Christ is God's perfect fulfillment of all covenant promises, providing the spiritual lineage and eternal inheritance that human efforts could never secure. His birth, like Isaac's, was a supernatural act, demonstrating that salvation is a gift of grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")), entirely dependent on God's sovereign power and perfect timing, rather than any human contrivance or "shortcut." He is the Lamb of God who truly takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), accomplishing what all human efforts fail to do.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Galatians 4:24

Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

Genesis 12:16

And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.

Genesis 21:9

¶ And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

Genesis 21:10

Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, [even] with Isaac.

Genesis 15:2

¶ And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house [is] this Eliezer of Damascus?

Genesis 15:3

And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

Genesis 21:12

And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.