Genesis 16:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto her, Behold {H2009}, thou art with child {H2030}, and shalt bear {H3205} a son {H1121}, and shalt call {H7121} his name {H8034} Ishmael {H3458}; because the LORD {H3068} hath heard {H8085} thy affliction {H6040}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The angel of ADONAI said to her, "Look, you are pregnant, and you will give birth to a son. You are to call him Yishma'el [God pays attention] because ADONAI has paid attention to your misery.

Berean Standard Bible

The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.

American Standard Version

And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Ishmael, because Jehovah hath heard thy affliction.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 16:11 records a pivotal divine encounter where the Angel of the LORD directly addresses Hagar, Sarai's pregnant handmaid, who has fled into the wilderness. In this encounter, the Angel reveals Hagar's current state, prophesies the birth of her son, and commands her to name him Ishmael, a name divinely ordained to signify that "the LORD has heard" her deep affliction, thereby underscoring God's compassionate awareness and intervention in her suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the patriarchal narrative, following Abram and Sarai's attempt to secure an heir outside of God's direct promise. Impatient with Sarai's prolonged barrenness, she offers her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, to Abram as a surrogate, a practice permitted by the cultural norms of the time. Hagar's subsequent pregnancy leads to arrogance on her part and severe, unjust mistreatment from Sarai, causing Hagar to flee into the desolate wilderness. Genesis 16:11 marks the moment of divine intervention, where God, through His Angel, seeks out Hagar in her vulnerability, offering comfort, specific instructions, and a prophetic glimpse into the future of her unborn son, thereby demonstrating His active involvement even in the consequences of human sin and impatience.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of a barren wife giving her maidservant to her husband to bear children was a recognized custom in the Ancient Near East, evidenced by legal texts like the Nuzi tablets. However, these arrangements often led to complex social dynamics, particularly when the handmaid conceived and gained status over the barren mistress, as seen with Hagar and Sarai. The wilderness (specifically, "by the fountain in the way to Shur" in [Genesis 16:7](/genesis/16-7 "The Angel of the LORD finds Hagar")) was a dangerous and desolate place, symbolizing Hagar's desperate and vulnerable state. Yet, it is precisely in this place of isolation that God reveals His presence and care, transforming a place of despair into a site of divine encounter. The divine naming of a child, as seen here with Ishmael, was also significant, often conveying the child's destiny or reflecting God's character and purpose in their life.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 16:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates God's **sovereignty and faithfulness** in working His purposes, even amidst human failure and sin, as Abram and Sarai's lack of faith led to this complicated situation. The verse highlights God's profound **compassion and omniscience**, demonstrating that He sees and hears the cries of the afflicted, regardless of their social status or origin, a theme echoed in God's hearing of Israel's groaning in [Exodus 2:23-25](/exodus/2-23-25 "God Hears the Groaning of Israel"). Furthermore, the appearance of the "Angel of the LORD" introduces a significant theological motif, often understood as a **theophany or Christophany**, signaling God's direct, personal, and authoritative involvement in human affairs. This encounter also foreshadows God's broader concern for all humanity, extending beyond the immediate covenant line established with Abram, as God later promises to bless Ishmael and make him a great nation in [Genesis 17:20](/genesis/17-20 "God's Blessing on Ishmael").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** This term, derived from an unused root meaning "to despatch as a deputy," denotes a "messenger." While it can refer to human ambassadors or prophets, when used in the context of "the Angel of the LORD," it specifically refers to a divine messenger, often understood as a manifestation of God Himself, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The Angel's authoritative speech and prophetic declarations in this passage underscore a direct divine encounter, not merely a communication from a created being.
* **Ishmael (Hebrew, _Yishmâʻêʼl'_):** This divinely appointed name is a compound of the Hebrew words *shama* ("to hear") and *El* ("God"), literally meaning "God will hear" or "God has heard." The name itself serves as a perpetual memorial and prophetic declaration of God's attentiveness and responsiveness to Hagar's desperate situation. It is not a name chosen by human preference but mandated by divine decree, establishing the child's identity and the reason for his existence as a testament to God's character.
* **Affliction (Hebrew, _ʻŏnîy'_):** This word conveys a deep sense of depression, misery, and suffering. It encapsulates Hagar's emotional and physical distress, her vulnerability as a pregnant woman fleeing into the wilderness, and the harsh treatment she endured from Sarai. The use of this specific term highlights the depth of Hagar's pain and emphasizes God's intimate awareness of her specific plight, demonstrating His compassion for those in profound distress.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of the LORD said unto her,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the divine nature of the encounter. The "Angel of the LORD" (often interpreted as a theophany or Christophany) speaks with ultimate authority, signifying that Hagar is receiving a direct message from God Himself, underscoring the profound importance and divine origin of the subsequent revelation.
* **"Behold, thou [art] with child, and shalt bear a son,"**: This declaration serves as a direct, prophetic confirmation of Hagar's current state and future. The word "Behold" (Hebrew: *hinnêh*) draws immediate attention to the divine pronouncement, emphasizing the certainty and significance of the revelation. God demonstrates His omniscience by knowing Hagar's pregnancy and His sovereignty by declaring the future birth of her son.
* **"and shalt call his name Ishmael;"**: This is a divine command regarding the naming of the child. Unlike human parents who choose names based on personal preference or circumstances, Hagar is given a specific, divinely ordained name for her son. This act of divine naming carries immense theological weight, linking the child's identity directly to God's character and purpose.
* **"because the LORD hath heard thy affliction."**: This final clause provides the explicit reason and profound meaning behind the name "Ishmael." It reveals God's compassionate character: He is not distant or unaware but intimately attentive to human suffering. The use of "the LORD" (Yahweh) emphasizes God's covenant name, signifying His personal and active involvement in Hagar's life, demonstrating His capacity to hear and respond to the cries of the distressed.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 16:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Divine Speech**, where the Angel of the LORD directly addresses Hagar, lending immense authority and weight to the pronouncements. This direct address highlights God's personal involvement in human affairs. **Prophecy** is evident in the Angel's foretelling of Ishmael's birth and the command for his naming, revealing God's foreknowledge and sovereign control over future events. The naming of Ishmael itself is a powerful instance of **Etymology**, where the name's meaning ("God hears") is explicitly linked to the circumstances of Hagar's suffering and God's response. This etymological connection serves as a perpetual reminder of God's compassionate nature. Furthermore, the narrative subtly uses **Irony**, as Sarai's attempt to secure an heir through Hagar, leading to Hagar's suffering and flight, ultimately results in a direct divine encounter for Hagar, demonstrating God's ability to work His purposes even through human sin and complication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 16:11 profoundly illustrates God's character as the compassionate and omniscient Lord who sees and hears the cries of the afflicted, even those marginalized and seemingly outside the immediate covenant promises. Hagar's encounter with the Angel of the LORD reveals a God who is not confined by human boundaries or social status, but extends His care and intervention to all in distress. This divine attentiveness to suffering, coupled with the prophetic naming of Ishmael, establishes a foundational truth about God's responsiveness to human need, setting a precedent for His continued engagement with humanity throughout biblical history.

* [Exodus 3:7](/exodus/3-7 "God Hears the Cry of Israel in Egypt")
* [Psalm 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "The LORD Hears the Righteous Cry")
* [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29-31 "God's Care for the Sparrows")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 16:11 offers profound and enduring encouragement to anyone experiencing hardship, loneliness, or despair. Hagar's story reminds us that no matter how isolated, insignificant, or overlooked we may feel, God is intimately aware of our struggles; He sees our pain, hears our cries, and is actively involved in our circumstances. Even in moments of flight and profound uncertainty, divine intervention can bring clarity, direction, and a hopeful future. Hagar's encounter in the wilderness demonstrates that God can meet us in our most desperate "wilderness experiences," offering a path forward and revealing His compassionate presence. It assures us that even when human plans falter, mistakes are made, or we face the consequences of others' actions, God's ultimate purposes prevail, and His compassionate and sovereign hand is still at work, providing for us and guiding our steps. We are invited to trust that our afflictions do not go unheard by the God who hears.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" might God be seeking to meet you today, and what "affliction" might He be hearing in your life?**
* **How does Hagar's story challenge your perception of who God cares for and where He chooses to reveal Himself?**
* **What does Ishmael's name, "God hears," mean for your personal prayer life and your trust in God's attentiveness?**

### FAQ
**Why is the Angel of the LORD significant in this passage?**

Answer: The "Angel of the LORD" is a recurring and highly significant figure in the Old Testament, often understood by theologians as a special manifestation of God Himself, or a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany). In [Genesis 16:11](/genesis/16-11 "The Angel of the LORD speaks to Hagar"), the Angel speaks with undeniable divine authority, gives direct commands, makes prophetic promises, and reveals God's character, indicating that Hagar is encountering God directly, not merely an ordinary created messenger. This highlights the profound importance of Hagar's encounter and underscores God's personal, authoritative, and compassionate involvement in her life and the unfolding narrative of salvation history.

**What is the significance of Ishmael's name, "God Hears," for believers today?**

Answer: The name "Ishmael" serves as a timeless and powerful reminder of God's essential attribute as the One who hears. For believers today, it signifies that God is intimately attentive to our prayers, our cries of distress, our deepest anguish, and even our unspoken burdens. It assures us that no suffering, no matter how private or profound, goes unnoticed by God. This provides immense comfort and encourages us to bring all our burdens, anxieties, and petitions to Him, trusting that He is a God who genuinely hears and responds to the cries of His people, just as He heard Hagar's affliction in the wilderness. This truth is foundational to our confidence in God's active presence in our lives, as seen throughout Scripture, from [Psalm 116:1-2](/psalms/116-1-2 "The LORD Hears My Supplication") to [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14-15 "Confidence in Prayer").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine compassion shown to Hagar, an outcast, a servant, and a woman in the wilderness, powerfully foreshadows the boundless compassion of Jesus Christ, who came into the world precisely to seek and save the lost, the marginalized, and the afflicted. Just as God heard Hagar's affliction and provided a name and a future for Ishmael, Christ is the ultimate Hearer of our deepest cries and the perfect embodiment of God's promise to meet us in our wilderness experiences. Through His incarnation, life, and atoning sacrifice, Jesus not only hears our affliction but fully enters into it, bearing our sorrows and carrying our burdens ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "He Bore Our Griefs and Carried Our Sorrows")). He is the sympathetic High Priest who understands our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")) and invites all who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). In Christ, the promise of God hearing our affliction finds its ultimate fulfillment, as He offers true solace, redemption, a new identity, and the promise that one day, God Himself will wipe away every tear from our eyes ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "God Wipes Away Every Tear")), bringing us into His eternal family regardless of our past or status.

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

Exodus 2:23

¶ And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.

Exodus 2:24

And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Exodus 3:7

¶ And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which [are] in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Genesis 17:19

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him.

Genesis 41:51

And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

Genesis 41:52

And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.