Genesis 16:11

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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

Context of Genesis 16:11

Genesis 16:11 is a pivotal moment in the story of Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid of Sarai (later Sarah), and Abram (later Abraham). Due to Sarai's barrenness and a cultural practice of the time, she gave Hagar to Abram to bear a child for him, hoping to fulfill the divine promise of an heir. However, Hagar's conception led to tension and contempt between her and Sarai, resulting in Sarai's harsh treatment of Hagar. Overwhelmed by her mistress's cruelty, Hagar fled into the wilderness, pregnant and alone. This verse records the divine encounter she had with the Angel of the LORD by a fountain in the wilderness, providing comfort, instruction, and a prophecy about her unborn son.

Key Themes and Messages

  • God's Omniscience and Compassion: The verse powerfully illustrates that God sees and hears the suffering of the afflicted, even those in seemingly desperate and isolated circumstances. Hagar, a non-Israelite and a servant, was not overlooked by the Almighty. This highlights a foundational biblical truth about God's intimate knowledge of human pain, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (e.g., Exodus 3:7).
  • Divine Naming and Prophecy: The Angel of the LORD directly instructs Hagar to name her son "Ishmael." This is not a human choice but a divine command, signifying the child's special place in God's plan, despite the unconventional circumstances of his birth. The naming itself is a prophecy, revealing the reason behind it: "because the LORD hath heard thy affliction."
  • God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Imperfection: This event underscores God's ability to work His purposes even through human impatience and flawed decisions, such as Sarai and Abram's attempt to fulfill God's promise through Hagar. While their actions created complications, God remained faithful to His overarching plan, extending grace and direction even to those indirectly involved.

Linguistic Insights

The name Ishmael (Hebrew: Yishma'el) is profoundly significant. It is a compound of two Hebrew words: shama, meaning "to hear," and El, meaning "God." Thus, "Ishmael" literally means "God hears" or "God has heard." The reason for this name is explicitly stated in the verse: "because the LORD hath heard thy affliction." The Hebrew word for "affliction" here is oni, which denotes deep distress, misery, or suffering. This direct link between the child's name and God's attentiveness to Hagar's suffering serves as a powerful testament to God's character.

Practical Application

Genesis 16:11 offers profound encouragement to anyone experiencing hardship, loneliness, or despair. It reminds us that:

  • God Sees and Hears: No matter how isolated or insignificant we may feel, God is aware of our struggles. He is not distant but intimately involved in the details of our lives, acknowledging our pain and cries.
  • Hope in Despair: Even in situations of flight and uncertainty, divine intervention can bring clarity, direction, and a future. Hagar's story shows that God can meet us in our wilderness experiences and offer a path forward.
  • Trust in God's Plan: Though human plans may falter or create unintended consequences, God's ultimate purposes prevail. We can trust that even when we make mistakes or face the consequences of others' actions, God's compassion and sovereign hand are still at work, providing for us and guiding our steps. This narrative lays the groundwork for understanding God's continued care for Ishmael and his descendants later in the biblical narrative (Genesis 17:20).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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