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Genesis 16

World English Bible

WEB

1Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2Sarai said to Abram, “See now, Yahweh has restrained me from bearing. Please go in to my servant. It may be that I will obtain children by her.” Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. 3Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her servant, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife. 4He went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5Sarai said to Abram, “This wrong is your fault. I gave my servant into your bosom, and when she saw that she had conceived, she despised me. May Yahweh judge between me and you.” 6But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your maid is in your hand. Do to her whatever is good in your eyes.” Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her face. 7Yahweh’s angel found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain on the way to Shur. 8He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where did you come from? Where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai.” 9Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.” 10Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.” 11Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because Yahweh has heard your affliction. 12He will be like a wild donkey among men. His hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. He will live opposed to all of his brothers.” 13She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees,” for she said, “Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?” 14Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15Hagar bore a son for Abram. Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Genesis Chapter 16 presents a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abraham and Sarah, highlighting themes of faith, impatience, and divine promise. As time passes without the fulfillment of God’s promise to give them a child, Sarah, feeling desperate, suggests that Abraham take her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar, to bear a child on her behalf. This decision reflects a common cultural practice of the time but also reveals Sarah's struggle with trusting God's timing. Hagar conceives and gives birth to a son named #Ishmael, which means 'God hears,' signifying God's awareness of their plight, even amidst their lack of faith. This act, however, leads to tension and conflict, as Hagar begins to despise Sarah, who in turn mistreats her, resulting in Hagar fleeing into the wilderness.

In the wilderness, Hagar encounters the Angel of the Lord, who speaks to her and instructs her to return to Sarah, promising that her descendants will be too numerous to count. This encounter emphasizes God's compassion and care for the marginalized, as Hagar, an Egyptian servant, receives a divine promise. The chapter concludes with Hagar naming the Lord who spoke to her as #El Roi, meaning 'the God who sees me,' highlighting the personal relationship God desires with all people. Ultimately, this chapter illustrates the consequences of human attempts to fulfill divine promises through their own means, while also affirming God's faithfulness to His word, even when we falter in our faith.

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Referenced by

  1. Song of Solomon 1:5v7Song of Solomon 1:5 describes the Shulamite as dark but lovely, reminiscent of Hagar in Genesis 16:7-13, who is seen and valued by God despite her outsider status.

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