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Old Testament · Genesis

Genesis 16

King James Version · Study Bible

Author

Moses

Written

~1446-1406 BC

Key Theme

Divine promise through human imperfection

Setting

Canaan - Abram's tent

Key Verse

Genesis 16:13

Total Verses

16

Chapter Introduction

*When the promise of a child seemed far away, Sarai chose to act on her own. In doing so, she opened a door that would bring a new voice of hope—Hagar's child Ishmael. This chapter reminds us that God's covenant stretches beyond our plans, weaving grace through the mess of our lives. Trust in His timing; He sees what we cannot.*

Genesis — Chapter 16 — KJV
1

Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

Simply PutSarai, Abram's wife, had been barren—her childbearing (Hebrew *yalad*, Strong's 134) hadn't worked for her. So she gave Abram an Egyptian handmaid named Hagar (the servant, *evedah*, Strong's 1278) to try for a child through her.
2

And 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.

Simply PutSarai tells Abram that the LORD has restrained (Hebrew *yatsar*, Strong's 707) her from bearing children, so she urges him to sleep with Hagar. Abram obeys, hoping that through her the promise of a child might be built (Hebrew *banah*, Strong's 1012).
3

And 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.

Simply PutAfter Abram had dwelt ten years in Canaan, Sarai took Hagar and gave her to Abram as a wife. She did this in the hope that God would fulfill His promise through Hagar's womb.
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.

Simply PutWhen Abram lay with Hagar, she conceived. As soon as she realized the pregnancy, Hagar felt despised in her eyes—she sensed that Sarai's status might be diminished because of the child she carried.
5

And 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.

6

But 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.

Simply PutAbram tells Sarai that Hagar is hers to deal with as she pleases (Hebrew *ra'ah*, Strong's 7405). When Sarai treats Hagar harshly (the Hebrew *chalah*, Strong's 2405), Hagar flees from her presence.
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.

Simply PutThe angel (Hebrew *mal'ak*, Strong's 4441) of the LORD finds Hagar by a fountain (Hebrew *maim*, Strong's 4477) in the wilderness on the road to Shur—a moment of divine encounter amid her distress.
8

And 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.

Simply PutThe angel asks Hagar where she’s from and where she's going; Hagar replies, “I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.” Her fear and desperation bring her to this empty place where God finds her.
9

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

Simply PutThe angel instructs Hagar, “Return to your mistress and submit yourself under her hands.” This command emphasizes obedience (Hebrew *tashal*, Strong's 8456) even in the midst of her pain.
10

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

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.

12

And 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.

Simply PutHe says Ishmael will be a wild man (Hebrew *abad*, Strong's 607), whose hand shall be against every man, and everyone’s hand against him. This foretells a life marked by conflict and independence.
13

And 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?

Simply PutHagar names the LORD, “Thou God seest me,” acknowledging that He sees and knows her. She feels the presence of a living One who watches over her in the wilderness.
14

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

Simply PutThe well where this happened is called Beerlahairoi, “the well of the living One who sees me” (Hebrew *beer*, Strong's 1032). It becomes a lasting reminder of God’s presence in her life.
15

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

Simply PutHagar bears Abram a son, and he names him Ishmael—“God hears”—as the angel instructed. The naming marks the beginning of a lineage that will later become nations.
16

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

Simply PutAbram was sixty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael. Even at his advanced age, God continued to work through the promise of offspring, showing that His timing differs from ours.
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✦ Cross-References

Genesis 21:8-10This passage shows Sarai's continued harsh treatment of Hagar and Ishmael after the birth of Isaac, highlighting the ongoing familial tension introduced in Genesis 16.
Genesis 30:37-38Jacob's use of a rod to cause

Reflect

When you’ve ever felt dismissed or overlooked in a job, community, or family setting, how did the invitation to “return and submit” influence your next steps?