Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Genesis » Chapter 16 » Verse 7-13

Genesis 16:7-13 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

7 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 found her H4672 by a fountain H5869 of water H4325 in the wilderness, H4057 by the fountain H5869 in the way H1870 to Shur. H7793

8 And he said, H559 Hagar, H1904 Sarai's H8297 maid, H8198 whence H335 camest thou? H935 and whither wilt thou go? H3212 And she said, H559 I flee H1272 from the face H6440 of my mistress H1404 Sarai. H8297

9 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 unto her, Return H7725 to thy mistress, H1404 and submit H6031 thyself under her hands. H3027

10 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 unto her, I will multiply H7235 thy seed H2233 exceedingly, H7235 that it shall not be numbered H5608 for multitude. H7230

11 And the angel H4397 of the LORD H3068 said H559 unto her, Behold, H2009 thou art with child, H2030 and shalt bear H3205 a son, H1121 and shalt call H7121 his name H8034 Ishmael; H3458 because the LORD H3068 hath heard H8085 thy affliction. H6040

12 And he will be a wild H6501 man; H120 his hand H3027 will be against every man, and every man's hand H3027 against him; and he shall dwell H7931 in the presence H6440 of all his brethren. H251

13 And she called H7121 the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 that spake H1696 unto her, Thou God H410 seest me: H7210 for she said, H559 Have I also here H1988 looked H7200 after him H310 that seeth me? H7210

Commentary on Genesis 16 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 16

Ge 16:1-16. Bestowment of Hagar.

1. Now, Sarai … had a handmaid—a female slave—one of those obtained in Egypt.

3. Sarai … gave her to … Abram to be his wife—"Wife" is here used to describe an inferior, though not degrading, relation, in countries where polygamy prevails. In the case of these female slaves, who are the personal property of his lady, being purchased before her marriage or given as a special present to her, no one can become the husband's secondary wife without her mistress consent or permission. This usage seems to have prevailed in patriarchal times; and Hagar, Sarai's slave, of whom she had the entire right of disposing, was given by her mistress' spontaneous offer, to be the secondary wife of Abram, in the hope of obtaining the long-looked-for heir. It was a wrong step—indicating a want of simple reliance on God—and Sarai was the first to reap the bitter fruits of her device.

5. And Sarai said … My wrong be upon thee—Bursts of temper, or blows, as the original may bear, took place till at length Hagar, perceiving the hopelessness of maintaining the unequal strife, resolved to escape from what had become to her in reality, as well as in name, a house of bondage.

7. And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain—This well, pointed out by tradition, lay on the side of the caravan road, in the midst of Shur, a sandy desert on the west of Arabia-Petræa, to the extent of a hundred fifty miles, between Palestine and Egypt. By taking that direction, she seems to have intended to return to her relatives in that country. Nothing but pride, passion, and sullen obstinacy, could have driven any solitary person to brave the dangers of such an inhospitable wild; and she would have died, had not the timely appearance and words of the angel recalled her to reflection and duty.

11. Ishmael—Like other Hebrew names, this had a signification, and it is made up of two words—"God hears." The reason is explained.

12. he will be a wild man—literally, "a wild ass man," expressing how the wildness of Ishmael and his descendants resembles that of the wild ass.

his hand will be against every man—descriptive of the rude, turbulent, and plundering character of the Arabs.

dwell in the presence of all his brethren—dwell, that is, pitch tents; and the meaning is that they maintain their independence in spite of all attempts to extirpate or subdue them.

13. called the name—common in ancient times to name places from circumstances; and the name given to this well was a grateful recognition of God's gracious appearance in the hour of Hagar's distress.