Genesis 16

King James Version

Full text for Genesis Chapter 16

1¶ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.

2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

3And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

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

5And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong [be] upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.

6But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid [is] in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.

7¶ And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

8And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

9And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

10¶ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

11And 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.

12And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.

13And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?

14Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, [it is] between Kadesh and Bered.

15¶ And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

16And Abram [was] fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Sarai, being barren, gave her Egyptian handmaid Hagar to Abram to bear children. Hagar conceived, but then despised Sarai, leading Sarai to deal harshly with her, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness. The Angel of the LORD found Hagar, commanded her to return and submit, and promised her a numerous seed through a son named Ishmael. Hagar then bore Ishmael to Abram when he was eighty-six years old.

Medium Summary

Facing barrenness, Sarai, Abram's wife, offered her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, to Abram as a wife to obtain children, a proposal Abram accepted. Hagar conceived, and subsequently, her mistress Sarai was despised in her eyes. This led to conflict, with Sarai complaining to Abram, who then granted her authority over Hagar. Sarai dealt so harshly with Hagar that she fled into the wilderness. There, the Angel of the LORD encountered Hagar by a fountain, instructing her to return to Sarai and submit to her authority. The Angel further revealed that Hagar was pregnant and would bear a son named Ishmael, whose descendants would be exceedingly numerous. The Angel also prophesied that Ishmael would be a wild man, in conflict with others, yet dwelling among his brethren. Hagar acknowledged God's presence, naming Him "Thou God seest me," and later bore Ishmael when Abram was eighty-six years old.

Long Summary

The chapter opens with Sarai, Abram's wife, being unable to bear children, a significant concern in their time. After Abram had dwelt ten years in Canaan, Sarai proposed a solution: she gave her Egyptian handmaid, Hagar, to Abram as a wife, hoping to obtain children through her. Abram hearkened to Sarai's voice and went in unto Hagar, who subsequently conceived. Upon realizing her pregnancy, Hagar's attitude towards Sarai changed, and she began to despise her mistress. Sarai, feeling wronged, confronted Abram, placing the blame upon him and asking the LORD to judge between them. Abram responded by granting Sarai full authority over Hagar, stating, "Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee." Sarai then dealt so severely with Hagar that the handmaid fled from her presence into the wilderness. The narrative shifts to Hagar's flight, where the Angel of the LORD found her by a fountain on the way to Shur. The Angel questioned Hagar about her origin and destination, to which she replied that she was fleeing from Sarai. The Angel then commanded Hagar to return to her mistress and submit herself under her hands. Furthermore, the Angel delivered a significant prophecy: Hagar's seed would be multiplied exceedingly, becoming too numerous to count. The Angel also revealed that Hagar was with child and would bear a son, whom she was to name Ishmael, "because the LORD hath heard thy affliction." A prophecy concerning Ishmael's character followed, describing him as a "wild man" whose hand would be against every man, and every man's hand against him, yet he would dwell in the presence of all his brethren. In response to this divine encounter, Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her "Thou God seest me," and the well was subsequently called Beerlahairoi. Following these events, Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael. The chapter concludes by stating that Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born.

Core Concepts

  • Surrogacy/Customary PracticeSarai's decision to give Hagar to Abram as a wife to bear children reflects an ancient custom where a barren wife might provide a handmaid to her husband to secure an heir, as seen in the phrase "it may be that I may obtain children by her."
  • Hagar's Flight and AfflictionAfter conceiving, Hagar's disdain for Sarai led to harsh treatment from her mistress, compelling Hagar to flee into the wilderness, highlighting her state of distress and vulnerability.
  • The Angel of the LORDThis divine messenger appears to Hagar in the wilderness, providing guidance, comfort, and prophetic revelation, demonstrating God's direct intervention in human affairs.
  • Divine Command to Return and SubmitThe Angel instructs Hagar to return to Sarai and submit, emphasizing themes of obedience and reconciliation within a difficult domestic situation.
  • Prophecy of IshmaelThe Angel reveals Hagar's unborn son will be named Ishmael, meaning "God hears," and prophesies his numerous descendants and his distinctive, independent character as a "wild man."
  • God's Omniscience ("Thou God Seest Me")Hagar's naming of the LORD as "Thou God seest me" (El Roi) signifies her recognition of God's personal awareness of her suffering and presence even in her desolate state.
  • Birth of IshmaelThe chapter culminates with Hagar bearing Abram a son, Ishmael, fulfilling the Angel's prophecy and marking a significant event in Abram's life before Isaac's birth.