Genesis 16:4

KJV

¶ And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he went in {H935} unto Hagar {H1904}, and she conceived {H2029}: and when she saw {H7200} that she had conceived {H2029}, her mistress {H1404} was despised {H7043} in her eyes {H5869}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Avram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she conceived. But when she became aware that she was pregnant, she looked on her mistress with contempt.

Berean Standard Bible

And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

American Standard Version

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 16:4 marks a critical turning point in the Abrahamic narrative, detailing the immediate and fraught consequences of Abram's union with Hagar, Sarai's servant, in an attempt to secure an heir. The verse succinctly records Hagar's conception and the swift, detrimental shift in her attitude, leading her to openly disdain Sarai, her mistress. This pivotal moment underscores the relational breakdown and unforeseen complications that arise when human impatience and lack of faith attempt to fulfill divine promises through fleshly means, rather than trusting in God's perfect timing and sovereign method.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Abram. Immediately preceding it, [God had promised Abram a vast lineage](/genesis/12-2 "God's Covenant Promise to Abram") and the inheritance of the land, yet Abram and Sarai remained childless, with Sarai explicitly noted as [barren](/genesis/11-30 "Sarai's Barrenness"). In an act of human initiative, Sarai proposes that Abram take Hagar as a surrogate, a culturally permissible but spiritually misguided attempt to "help" God fulfill His promise. Genesis 16:4 then presents the immediate "success" of this plan—Hagar's conception—but quickly pivots to reveal the relational discord that instantly erupts, setting the stage for Hagar's flight and the subsequent divine intervention in the following verses. This moment foreshadows the ongoing tension between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of a barren wife providing a slave-girl to her husband to bear children on her behalf was a recognized custom in the ancient Near East, particularly evidenced in legal texts like the Code of Hammurabi (c. 1754 BC) and the Nuzi tablets (c. 15th-14th century BC). These codes often stipulated that if a primary wife was barren, she could give her maidservant to her husband to produce an heir, and the children born of this union would be legally considered the primary wife's. Sarai's proposal to Abram in [Genesis 16:2](/genesis/16-2 "Sarai's Proposal to Abram") aligns with this cultural norm. However, while culturally acceptable, the biblical narrative immediately highlights the spiritual and relational pitfalls of such a practice when it attempts to circumvent God's specific, sovereign plan. Hagar's elevated status as the bearer of the potential heir, coupled with Sarai's continued barrenness, created a volatile power dynamic within the household, leading to the contempt described in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 16:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Abrahamic narrative and beyond. It starkly illustrates the theme of **human impatience versus divine timing**, showing how attempts to force God's hand lead to unforeseen complications and suffering, rather than the peaceful fulfillment of promises. The verse also highlights the theme of **relational strife and its origins**, demonstrating how a deviation from God's intended path can sow seeds of discord within families and, by extension, among nations. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of **status and pride**, as Hagar's perceived elevation leads to contempt for her mistress, revealing the corrupting influence of newfound power. This incident also serves as an early instance of **God's faithfulness despite human failure**, setting the stage for His continued interaction with Abram and Sarai, ultimately leading to Isaac's miraculous birth, as detailed in [Genesis 21:1-7](/genesis/21-1-7 "The Birth of Isaac").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went in (Hebrew, _bôwʼ'_):** This verb (H935) is a primitive root meaning "to go or come" in a wide variety of applications, often used as a euphemism for sexual intercourse, signifying the consummation of the union between Abram and Hagar. Its use here is direct and unadorned, emphasizing the physical act that immediately precedes Hagar's conception.
* **conceived (Hebrew, _hârâh'_):** This primitive root (H2029) means "to be (or become) pregnant." It is used twice in this verse, first stating the fact of conception and then in the clause "when she saw that she had conceived." The repetition emphasizes the immediate and tangible result of the union, which then triggers the subsequent relational shift.
* **despised (Hebrew, _qâlal'_):** This primitive root (H7043) means "to be (causatively, make) light," literally or figuratively. In this context, it signifies making someone appear "light" or "insignificant," leading to contempt, disdain, or a lowering of regard. Hagar's perception of Sarai shifted from respect to contempt, viewing her as "light" or "worthless" in comparison to her own newly elevated status as the bearer of Abram's child.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he went in unto Hagar":** This clause directly states Abram's action, fulfilling Sarai's proposal. It signifies the physical union, a deliberate act taken by Abram to secure an heir outside of God's specific timing and method. The simplicity of the statement belies the profound consequences that will unfold.
* **"and she conceived":** This immediate outcome confirms the biological success of the union. It highlights that the human plan, while effective in producing a pregnancy, is not necessarily aligned with God's perfect will or timing for the promised heir. This swift conception sets the stage for the dramatic shift in Hagar's demeanor.
* **"and when she saw that she had conceived":** This phrase introduces the psychological and relational turning point. Hagar's awareness of her pregnancy is the catalyst for her change in attitude. Her new status as the potential mother of Abram's heir—a position of immense importance in that culture—inflated her sense of self-worth.
* **"her mistress was despised in her eyes":** This climactic clause reveals the core conflict. The phrase "in her eyes" (Hebrew: *b'eineiha*) indicates Hagar's subjective perception and judgment. Sarai, her former mistress and owner, became "light" or "insignificant" to Hagar. This signifies a profound loss of respect, a feeling of superiority, and open contempt, directly leading to the relational breakdown and strife that characterizes the rest of the chapter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs **Juxtaposition** by placing the successful conception immediately alongside the relational breakdown it causes. This highlights the ironic outcome of human effort: what was intended to solve a problem (barrenness) immediately creates a new, more complex one (strife). **Foreshadowing** is also prominent, as Hagar's contempt and the subsequent conflict lay the groundwork for the enduring tension between the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac, a conflict that resonates throughout biblical history and beyond. The phrase "in her eyes" serves as a form of **Synecdoche**, where "eyes" represent Hagar's entire perception, judgment, and inner attitude. There is also an element of **Irony** in that Sarai's attempt to gain an heir through Hagar ultimately leads to her own humiliation and distress, rather than the desired fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 16:4 serves as a potent theological lesson on the dangers of human impatience and the futility of attempting to fulfill divine promises through fleshly means. Abram and Sarai's decision to act outside of God's timing, though culturally permissible, immediately introduces discord and suffering into their household. This narrative underscores that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His promises are fulfilled by His sovereign power and perfect timing, not by human schemes. The immediate consequence of Hagar's pride and Sarai's distress highlights the far-reaching impact of choices made in distrust, setting a precedent for future conflicts and demonstrating how sin can corrupt even seemingly well-intentioned actions.

* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart") - This passage directly contrasts with the actions in Genesis 16:4, emphasizing the importance of trusting in the Lord with all one's heart rather than leaning on one's own understanding.
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's thoughts and ways are higher") - This passage beautifully articulates the principle that God's thoughts and ways are profoundly superior to human thoughts and ways, a truth painfully illustrated by the consequences of Abram and Sarai's impatience.
* [Galatians 4:22-23](/galatians/4-22-23 "Sons of the bondwoman and the free woman") - Paul uses the narrative of Hagar and Sarah allegorically to contrast those born "according to the flesh" (human effort) with those born "through promise" (divine power), directly referencing the spiritual implications of this historical event.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 16:4 offers a profound cautionary tale for believers today, urging us to exercise patience and unwavering faith in God's perfect timing and sovereign plan. When faced with delayed promises or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, our natural inclination might be to "help God out" or to take matters into our own hands, devising human solutions to divine problems. However, this verse vividly demonstrates that such attempts, born out of impatience or a lack of trust, invariably lead to unforeseen complications, relational strife, and long-term consequences that often far outweigh the initial problem. The discord that immediately erupted in Abram's household serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are always superior and that true fulfillment comes not from our striving, but from patiently waiting and trusting in His faithfulness, even when His timing seems slow or His methods unclear. This narrative encourages us to surrender our timelines and strategies to the Lord, confident that His perfect plan will unfold in His perfect way.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I tempted to "help God out" rather than patiently wait for His timing?**
* **What are the potential relational or personal consequences of acting out of impatience or distrust in God's plan?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's sovereignty, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises?**
* **In what ways might pride, similar to Hagar's, manifest in my own heart when I perceive an elevation in status or circumstance?**

### FAQ
**Why did Sarai suggest Abram take Hagar, and was this common practice?**

Answer: Sarai suggested Abram take Hagar because she was barren and believed this was the only way to secure an heir, fulfilling God's promise of descendants to Abram. This practice, known as surrogate motherhood through a servant, was indeed common in the ancient Near East, as evidenced by legal codes like the Code of Hammurabi and Nuzi tablets, where a barren wife might provide a slave-girl to her husband to bear children on her behalf. However, while culturally permissible, the biblical narrative shows that acting outside of God's specific, sovereign timing and method for His promise led to significant strife and long-term consequences, as seen in [Genesis 16:5-6](/genesis/16-5-6 "Sarai's distress and Hagar's flight").

**What does "her mistress was despised in her eyes" specifically mean?**

Answer: The phrase "her mistress was despised in her eyes" (Hebrew: *va-teqal g'virtah b'eineiha*) literally means "her mistress became light or insignificant in her eyes." It conveys a strong sense of contempt, disdain, or a lowering of regard. Hagar, now pregnant with Abram's child, perceived herself as having gained a higher status or importance than Sarai, who remained barren. This led her to look down upon Sarai, no longer affording her the respect due to a mistress, demonstrating a swift and prideful shift from humility to contempt. This change in Hagar's perception and behavior immediately created tension and conflict within the household, directly leading to Sarai's distress and Hagar's subsequent flight, as described in [Genesis 16:6](/genesis/16-6 "Hagar flees from Sarai").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 16:4, with its stark depiction of human impatience leading to profound relational strife and a legacy of division, stands in powerful contrast to God's perfect and redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. While Abram and Sarai attempted to bring about God's promise of an heir through fleshly means, resulting in conflict and a "son of the flesh" ([Galatians 4:23](/galatians/4-23 "Son of the bondwoman")), Christ is the true "seed" promised to Abraham ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ")), born not by human effort or impatience, but by divine intervention and perfect timing ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "God sent forth His Son when the fullness of time had come")). He embodies God's faithfulness, fulfilling all covenant promises through His perfect obedience and sacrificial love, bringing reconciliation and peace where human schemes sow discord ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Christ is our peace")). The true heir, the one through whom all nations are blessed ([Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "All families of the earth shall be blessed in you")), is Christ, demonstrating that God's covenant promises are ultimately fulfilled by His sovereign power and grace, not by flawed human endeavors. He is the ultimate answer to humanity's spiritual barrenness, bringing forth new life not through human striving, but through faith in His finished work ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "Born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, but of God")).

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

Proverbs 30:23

For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

2 Samuel 6:16

And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

1 Corinthians 13:4

¶ Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1 Corinthians 13:5

Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Proverbs 30:20

Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

Proverbs 30:21

For three [things] the earth is disquieted, and for four [which] it cannot bear:

1 Samuel 1:6

And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.