Genesis 16:9-16

9 The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands."

10 The angel of the LORD said to her, "I will greatly multiply your seed, that they will not be numbered for multitude."

11 The angel of the LORD said to her, "Behold, you are with child, and will bear a son. You shall call his name Yishma'el, because the LORD has heard your affliction.

12 He 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."

13 She called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God who sees," for she said, "Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?"

14 Therefore the well was called Be'er-Lachai-Ro'i. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

15 Hagar bore a son for Avram. Avram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Yishma'el.

16 Avram was eighty-six years old, when Hagar bore Yishma'el to Avram.

Genesis 16:9-16 Meaning and Commentary

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.