Genesis 16:11 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 16:9-11

"And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself unto her hands. And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, and it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Behold thou art with child, and shall bear a son; and thou shalt call his name Ishmael, because Jehovah hath heard thy affliction.""And the angel of Jehovah ..." The threefold repetition of this in Genesis 16:9; Genesis 16:10, and Genesis... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 16:11

11. Ishmael—Like other Hebrew names, this had a signification, and it is made up of two words—"God hears." The reason is explained. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 16:7-14

The angel of the LORD and Hagar 16:7-14This is the first of 48 references to "the angel of the Lord" in the Old Testament. Sometimes, as here, the Angel is deity, and in other places he appears to be an angelic messenger from the Lord."The prophetic description of Ishmael as a ’wild ass of a man’ [Genesis 16:12] (RSV) is rather intriguing. The animal referred to is the wild and untamable onager, which roams the desert at will. This figure of speech depicts very accurately the freedom-loving... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

The Circumstances connected with the Birth of Ishmael1, 2. Abraham was now eighty-five years old, Sarah was seventy-five, and the promise of an heir seemed no nearer fulfilment. Despairing of offspring herself, Sarah persuades Abraham to take her Egyptian maid Hagar as a secondary wife, intending, according to ancient custom, to regard the issue as her own. But her lack of faith in God’s promises was productive of very unhappy consequences. 4. Hagar] The Arabs claim descent from Hagar through... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 16:11

(11) Ishmael.—That is, God heareth. Like Samuel, Ishmael received his name from the events of his mother’s life, and not from anything in his own. There was, however, no rule in this matter, and the naming of children in the Book of Genesis is very diversified. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 16:1-16

A Particular Providence As Revealed in the Gospel Genesis 16:13 God beholds thee individually, whoever thou art. He 'calls the by thy name'. He sees thee, and understands thee, as He made thee. He knows what is in thee, all thy own peculiar feelings and thoughts, thy dispositions and likings, thy strength and thy weakness. He views thee in thy day of rejoicing, and thy day of sorrow. He sympathizes in thy hopes and thy temptations. He interests Himself in all thy anxieties and remembrances,... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

BIRTH OF ISHMAELGenesis 16:1-16IN this unpretending chapter we have laid bare to us the origin of one of the most striking facts in the history of religion: namely, that from the one person of Abram have sprung Christianity and that religion which has been and still is its most formidable rival and enemy, Mohammedanism. To Ishmael, the son of Abram, the Arab tribes are proud to trace their pedigree. Through him they claim Abram as their father, and affirm that they are his truest... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 16:1-16

CHAPTER 16 Abraham and Hagar 1. Sarai’s suggestion (Genesis 16:1-3 ) 2. Abram’s action (Genesis 16:4 ) 3. Sarai and Hagar (Genesis 16:5-6 ) 4. Hagar in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7-9 ) 5. The birth of Ishmael announced (Genesis 16:10-14 ) 6. Ishmael born (Genesis 16:15-16 ) The fifteenth chapter may be called Abram’s faith chapter. The sixteenth is the chapter of unbelief. It was impatience which forced Sarai and Abram to act for themselves. Unbelief is impatience and impatience is... 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