Genesis 16:2-4

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.

Genesis 16:2-4 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.