Genesis 16:13-14

13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen^[a] the One who sees me.”

14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi^[b] ; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

Genesis 16:13-14 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.

Genesis 16:13-14 In-Context

11 The angel of the LORD also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael,for the LORD has heard of your misery.

12 He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

13 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi ; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.

16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 139:1-12
• 2. Genesis 32:30; Genesis 33:10; Exodus 24:10; Exodus 33:20,23; Numbers 12:8; Judges 6:22; Judges 13:22; Isaiah 6:5
• 3. S ver 7
• 4. Genesis 24:62; Genesis 25:11
• 5. S Genesis 14:7

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "seen the back of"
• [b]. "Beer Lahai Roi" means "well of the Living One who sees me."