Genesis 16
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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, I was despised in her eyes. 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 opposite 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 (public domain)
“So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, "You are a God of seeing," for she said, "Truly here I have seen him who looks after me."”
Genesis 16:13
Summary
Genesis chapter 16 recounts the story of Sarai, Abram's wife, who, frustrated by her inability to bear children, suggests that Abram take her maidservant Hagar as a wife to produce an heir. This reflects the cultural practices of the time and highlights human attempts to fulfill God's promises through their own means. After Hagar conceives, tension arises between her and Sarai, leading Sarai to mistreat Hagar, who then flees into the wilderness. In her distress, Hagar encounters the Angel of the Lord, who assures her and commands her to return to Sarai, promising that her descendants will be numerous. Hagar responds in faith, giving God a name and acknowledging Him as the God who sees her. The chapter concludes with Hagar bearing Abram's son, Ishmael, who is destined to be a significant figure in biblical history. The key themes in this chapter include the consequences of impatience and human intervention in divine plans, as seen through Sarai and Abram's actions, as well as God's faithfulness to His promises even amid human shortcomings. Hagar's encounter with the Angel of the Lord emphasizes God's compassion and concern for the marginalized, illustrating that God sees and cares for all, regardless of their social status. The theological significance lies in the assurance that God's plans will prevail, inviting believers to trust in His timing and sovereignty rather than resorting to their own schemes.
Key Themes
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