Genesis 16

16 verses

TL;DR

Sarai offers her Egyptian maid Hagar to Abram to conceive a child, leading to conflict, exile, divine intervention, and the birth of Ishmael.

Summary

Abram and Sarai have been childless for many years. Sarai suggests that Abram take her handmaid Hagar as a surrogate, and Abram acquiesces. Hagar becomes pregnant, but Sarai despises her, causing Hagar to flee into the wilderness. There an angel of the LORD appears, instructing her to return and promising that her seed will multiply. The angel also foretells that Hagar will bear a son named Ishmael, who will be a "wild man". Hagar returns, gives birth to Ishmael, and Abram is 86 years old at the time.

Outline

Sarai proposes Hagar as surrogate; Abram agrees
Hagar's pregnancy triggers conflict and exile
Angel appears to Hagar in the wilderness
Angel gives promise and instructions
Hagar returns and bears Ishmael

Themes

Surrogacy and human agency in divine plansDivine promise amid human conflictThe wilderness as a place of encounter and judgmentThe tension between human and divine justice

Keywords

childlessnesssurrogacyangelwildernesswaterpromisefaithobedience

People

SaraiAbramHagarAngel of the LORD

Places

CanaanShurKadeshBeredBeerlahairoi

Things

fountain of waterwellpromise of many descendantschild Ishmael

Key Verses

Genesis 16:7: Angel encounters Hagar and delivers divine instructions
Genesis 16:10: God’s promise to multiply Hagar’s seed
Genesis 16:15: Birth of Ishmael and fulfillment of divine promise

Questions

What does the account reveal about the limits of human agency in fulfilling divine promises?
How does the wilderness setting shape the nature of Hagar’s encounter with the divine?
In what ways does Sarai’s treatment of Hagar reflect broader themes of gender and power?
What is the significance of Ishmael’s future description as a “wild man”?
How does this narrative foreshadow later Abrahamic traditions?

Sentiment

mixed
conflict, oppression, divine promise, hope