Genesis 16

1 Und Sarai, Abrams Weib, gebar ihm nicht. Und sie hatte eine ägyptische Magd, und ihr Name war Hagar.

2 Und Sarai sprach zu Abram: Siehe doch, Jehova hat mich verschlossen, daß ich nicht gebäre; gehe doch ein zu meiner Magd, vielleicht werde ich aus ihr erbaut werden. Und Abram hörte auf die Stimme Sarais.

3 Und Sarai, Abrams Weib, nahm Hagar, die Ägypterin, ihre Magd, nach Verlauf von zehn Jahren, die Abram im Lande Kanaan gewohnt hatte, und gab sie Abram, ihrem Manne, ihm zum Weibe.

4 Und er ging zu Hagar ein, und sie ward schwanger; und als sie sah, daß sie schwanger war, da wurde ihre Herrin gering in ihren Augen.

5 Und Sarai sprach zu Abram: Das Unrecht, das mir widerfährt, fällt auf dich! Ich habe meine Magd in deinen Schoß gegeben; und da sie sieht, daß sie schwanger geworden ist, bin ich gering in ihren Augen. Jehova richte zwischen mir und dir!

6 Und Abram sprach zu Sarai: Siehe, deine Magd ist in deiner Hand; tue ihr, was gut ist in deinen Augen. Und Sarai behandelte sie hart, und sie floh von ihr hinweg.

7 Und der Engel Jehovas fand sie an einer Wasserquelle in der Wüste, an der Quelle auf dem Wege nach Sur.

8 Und er sprach: Hagar, Magd Sarais, woher kommst du, und wohin gehst du? Und sie sprach: Ich fliehe hinweg von meiner Herrin Sarai.

9 Und der Engel Jehovas sprach zu ihr: Kehre zu deiner Herrin zurück und demütige dich unter ihre Hände.

10 Und der Engel Jehovas sprach zu ihr: Ich will sehr mehren deinen Samen, daß er nicht gezählt werden soll vor Menge.

11 Und der Engel Jehovas sprach zu ihr: Siehe, du bist schwanger und wirst einen Sohn gebären; und du sollst ihm den Namen Ismael geben, denn Jehova hat auf dein Elend gehört.

12 Und er, er wird ein Wildesel von Mensch sein; seine Hand wider alle und die Hand aller wider ihn, und angesichts aller seiner Brüder wird er wohnen.

13 Da nannte sie Jehova, der zu ihr redete: Du bist ein Gott, der sich schauen läßt! Denn sie sprach: Habe ich nicht auch hier geschaut, nachdem er sich hat schauen lassen?

14 Darum nannte man den Brunnen: Beer-Lachai-Roi; siehe, er ist zwischen Kades und Bered.

15 Und Hagar gebar dem Abram einen Sohn; und Abram gab seinem Sohne, den Hagar geboren hatte, den Namen Ismael.

16 Und Abram war sechsundachtzig Jahre alt, als Hagar dem Abram Ismael gebar.

Genesis 16 Commentary

Chapter 16

Sarai gives Hagar to Abram. (1-3) Hagar's misbehaviour to Sarai. (4-6) The Angel commands Hagar to return, The promise to her Birth of Ishmael. (7-16)

Verses 1-3 Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's time, and using only those means which he appoints for the removal of the cross. Foul temptations may have very fair pretences, and be coloured with that which is very plausible. Fleshly wisdom puts us out of God's way. This would not be the case, if we would ask counsel of God by his word and by prayer, before we attempt that which is doubtful.

Verses 4-6 Abram's unhappy marriage to Hagar very soon made a great deal of mischief. We may thank ourselves for the guilt and grief that follow us, when we go out of the way of our duty. See it in this case, Passionate people often quarrel with others, for things of which they themselves must bear the blame. Sarai had given her maid to Abram, yet she cries out, My wrong be upon thee. That is never said wisely, which pride and anger put into our mouths. Those are not always in the right, who are most loud and forward in appealing to God: such rash and bold imprecations commonly speak guilt and a bad cause. Hagar forgot that she herself had first given the provocation, by despising her mistress. Those that suffer for their faults, ought to bear it ( 1 Peter. 2:20 )

Verses 7-16 Hagar was out of her place, and out of the way of her duty, and going further astray, when the Angel found her. It is a great mercy to be stopped in a sinful way, either by conscience or by providence. Whence comest thou? Consider that thou art running from duty, and the privileges thou wast blest with in Abram's tent. It is good to live in a religious family, which those ought to consider who have this advantage. Whither wilt thou go? Thou art running into sin; if Hagar return to Egypt, she will return to idol gods, and into danger in the wilderness through which she must travel. Recollecting who we are, would often teach us our duty. Inquiring whence we came, would show us our sin and folly. Considering whither we shall go, discovers our danger and misery. And those who leave their space and duty, must hasten their return, how mortifying soever it be. The declaration of the Angel, "I will," shows this Angel was the eternal Word and Son of God. Hagar could not but admire the Lord's mercy, and feel, Have I, who am so unworthy, been favoured with a gracious visit from the Lord? She was brought to a better temper, returned, and by her behaviour softened Sarai, and received more gentle treatment. Would that we were always suitably impressed with this thought, Thou God seest me!

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 16

This chapter gives an account of Abram's marrying his maid, at the instance of his wife Sarai, Ge 16:1-3, who, upon conceiving, despised her mistress; of which complaint is made to Abram, who leaving his maid to his wife, to deal with her as she pleased, dealt harshly by her, and therefore fled from her, Ge 16:4-6; when she was met by an angel, who advised her to return and submit herself to her mistress, and told her her seed would be greatly multiplied, gave a name to the child she went with, and described his temper and disposition, Ge 16:7-12; and then we have the name of God that spoke to her, and of the place where the discourse passed between them, Ge 16:13,14; and the chapter is concluded with the birth of Ishmael, and the age of Abram at his birth, Ge 16:15,16.