Genesis 16:1-18:15

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 16:1

16:1 Now {a} Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name [was] Hagar.(a) It seems that she had respect for God’s promise, which could not be accomplished without issue. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

HUMAN EFFORT TO ACCOMPLISH GOD'S PROMISE Though Abram was a man of faith, Sarai his wife had not borne children, and she weakened his faith by making a mere fleshly suggestion that he should use Sarai's bondmaid, Hagar, by whom to bear a child for Sarai (v.2). Abram's experience with the Lord in chapter 15 ought to have strengthened him to realize that God's promise was sure even though they had to wait so long for its fulfilment. As to the fulfilling of the promise, Abram did not have to... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

THE TOKEN OF THE COVENANT Our lessons are grouping themselves around the great facts of Scripture as we proceed, and while we are omitting nothing essential, emphasis is laid on the strategic points. In this lesson the point is the token of the covenant God made with Abram, but there are other thoughts leading up to and giving occasion for it. SARAI AND HAGAR (Genesis 16:1-6 ) The incident we now approach is not creditable to Abram or his wife, but there is an explanation of it. At least... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Genesis 16:1-16

Abram's Domestic Life Genesis 15:0 and Genesis 16:0 I take these two chapters together, as completing one view of Abram's domestic life. It may be well to take notice that, up to this point, everything has gone on in regular order, with the exception of one great and solemn event. We have found just what we might have looked for: the growth of the population, the spreading out of families and tribes into distant places, a little invention, and the beginnings of discovery and progress. There... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 16:1

CONTENTS The private history of an event in the family of Abram forms the contents of this Chapter. But as no scripture is of private interpretation, it is probable, that the Holy Ghost thought proper to introduce it to the knowledge of the Church, in order to manifest that the explanation of it is to be considered spiritually. And this is one, among the innumerable other proofs, in God's word, how much the right interpretation of scripture depends upon scripture. Paul the Apostle, was... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:1-3

1-3 Sarai, no longer expecting to have children herself, proposed to Abram to take another wife, whose children she might; her slave, whose children would be her property. This was done without asking counsel of the Lord. Unbelief worked, God's almighty power was forgotten. It was a bad example, and a source of manifold uneasiness. In every relation and situation in life there is some cross for us to bear: much of the exercise of faith consists in patiently submitting, in waiting the Lord's... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Genesis 16:1-33

Gen_16:1 Gen_18:33 . Chapter 16 introduces us to the episode in the life of Abram, which has an allegorical significance, as the Apostle Paul shows in Galations 4.0 . Hagar was a bondwoman; she came from Egypt, type of the world; her son was born "after the flesh;" her name is said to mean "Wandering." Law and the flesh and the world and bondage are closely connected all through Scripture, and here first we have them all brought together. In Genesis 12.0 we saw Abram's lapse in going down into... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 16:1-3

Hagar Given to Abraham v. 1. Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bare him no children; and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. v. 2. a. And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath constrained me from bearing; I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. The fact of Sarai's barrenness had been mentioned at the time of their coming to Canaan, Genesis 11:30. It is repeated here for the sake of the emphasis upon the miracle which the Lord... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Genesis 16:1-16

FIFTH SECTIONAbram’s Concession to Sarai’s Impatience. Abram and Hagar. Hagar’s Flight. The Angel of the Lord. Hagar’s Return, and Ishmael’s Birth Genesis 16:1-161Now Sarai, Abram’s wife [in the face of the previous promise], bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar [flight, fugitive]. 2And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing; I pay thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain [be builded], children by hen... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

Abram’s Son Ishmael Genesis 16:1-16 Poor Hagar! What contrasts met in her life! Bought in an Egyptian slave-mart, but destined to be the mother of a great people! She is not the last to suffer from the mistakes and sins of God’s children, but she was abundantly recompensed. Abram did her a great wrong. Human policy will often suggest a course which seems right in our own eyes, but the end is death. How remarkable is the advice given to Hagar by the angel: return and submit! Does not the... read more

Group of Brands