Genesis 16:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 16:10-14

We may suppose that the angel having given Hagar that good counsel (Gen. 16:9) to return to her mistress she immediately promised to do so, and was setting her face homeward; and then the angel went on to encourage her with an assurance of the mercy God had in store for her and her seed: for God will meet those with mercy that are returning to their duty. I said, I will confess, and thou forgavest, Ps. 32:5. Here is, I. A prediction concerning her posterity given her for her comfort in her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:11

And the angel of the Lord said unto her ,.... Continued his discourse with her, informing her she should have a son, and what his name should be, and what his character, and the place of his habitation: behold, thou art with child ; this she knew, and it is said, not for her information, as to this respect, but to lead on to something else he had to acquaint her with, she did not know. Jarchi indeed would have the sense to be, "thou shall conceive" or "be with child", as was said to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:11

And shalt call his name Ishmael - ישמאעל Yishmael , from שמע shama , he heard, and אל El , God; for, says the Angel, The Lord Hath Heard thy affliction. Thus the name of the child must ever keep the mother in remembrance of God's merciful interposition in her behalf, and remind the child and the man that he was an object of God's gracious and providential goodness. Afflictions and distresses have a voice in the ears of God, even when prayer is restrained; but how much more... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:11

Verse 11 11.And shalt bear a son. The angel explains what he had briefly said respecting her seed; namely, that it should not be capable of being numbered on account of its multitude; and he commences with Ishmael, who was to be its head and origin. Although we shall afterwards see that he was a reprobate, yet an honorable name is granted to him, to mark the temporal benefit of which Ishmael became a partakers as being a son of Abram. For I thus explain the passage, God intended that a monument... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

Hagar. The history of Hagar has its two sides—that which is turned towards God and illustrates Divine grace, that which is turned towards man and illustrates human infirmity and sinfulness. Jehovah brought forth compassionate bestowments of revelation and promise out of his people's errors. Abram and Sarah both sinned. Hagar sinned. The angel of the Lord, representative of the continuous gracious revelation of Jehovah as a covenant God, appeared in the cloud of family sorrow, drawing once... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:7-13

Glimpses of the Godhead. 1. Divine condescension. God visits men as the angel visited Hagar. 2. Divine omniscience. God knows men as the angel knew Hagar. 3. Divine compassion. God pities and comforts men as the angel did Hagar. 4. Divine wisdom. God instructs men as the angel directed Hagar. 5. Divine grace. God pardons and accepts men as the angel did Hagar.— W . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:11

And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and thou shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael . "God shall hear," or, "Whom God hears," the first instance of the naming of a child before its birth (cf. afterwards Genesis 17:19 ; 1 Kings 13:2 ; 1 Chronicles 22:9 ; Matthew 1:21 ; Luke 1:13 ). Because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. τῇ ταπεινώσει ( LXX .), "thy prayer" (Chaldee), of which there is no mention, though men's miseries are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

- The Birth of Ishmael1. הנר hāgār, Hagar, “flight.” Hejrah, the flight of Muhammed.7. מלאך mal'ak “messenger, angel.” A deputy commissioned to discharge a certain duty for the principal whom he represents. As the most usual task is that of bearing messages, commands, or tidings, he is commonly called a “messenger” ἄγγελος angelos). The word is therefore a term of office, and does not further distinguish the office-bearer than as an intelligent being. Hence, a מלאך mal'ak may be a man... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 16:11

Genesis 16:11. Ishmael That is, God will hear; and the reason is, because the Lord hath heard He hath, and therefore he will. The experience we have had of God’s seasonable kindness in distress should encourage us to hope for the like help in the like exigencies. Even there where there is little cry of devotion, the God of pity hears the cry of affliction: tears speak as well as prayers. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

16:1-25:18 ABRAM AND THE PROMISED HEIRBirth of Ishmael (16:1-16)When Abram earlier suggested adopting his slave as his heir, God reassured him that his heir would be a son of his own (see 15:2-4). But after ten years in Canaan, Sarai was still childless. Weakened in faith, she suggested that Abram obtain his son through their slave-girl Hagar. This was not God’s way, but it followed an accepted custom among the people of the region. All legal rights over the child belonged to the wife, not to... read more

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