Bible Chapter Summary
Genesis 16 Summary
Hagar, Ishmael, and the Angel's Promise
Because Sarai remained childless, she gave her Egyptian handmaid Hagar to Abram as a wife, hoping to obtain children through her. After Hagar conceived, she despised Sarai, which led to conflict; Sarai dealt harshly with Hagar, and Hagar fled into the wilderness. The angel of the LORD found Hagar by a fountain on the way to Shur, instructed her to return and submit to Sarai, and promised that her son would be named Ishmael — meaning "God hears" — and that his descendants would be multiplied exceedingly. Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her "Thou God seest me," the well was called Beer-lahai-roi, and Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram when he was eighty-six years old.
Key themes
Key verses
Genesis 16:2
“And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.”
Genesis 16:11
“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.”
Genesis 16:13
“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”
Genesis 16:15
“And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.”
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