Genesis 16:12 KJV

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 16:12

And he will be a wild man ,.... Living in a wilderness, delighting in hunting and killing wild beasts, and robbing and plundering all that pass by; and such an one Ishmael was, see Genesis 21:20 ; and such the Saracens, his posterity, were, and such the wild Arabs are to this day, who descended from him; or "the wild ass of a man" F20 פרא אדם "onager hominis", Cocceius, Schmidt. ; or "a wild ass among men", as Onkelos; or "like to a wild ass among men", as the Targum of Jonathan;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:12

He will be a wild man - אדם פרא pere adam . As the root of this word does not appear in the Hebrew Bible, it is probably found in the Arabic farra , to run away, to run wild; and hence the wild ass, from its fleetness and its untamable nature. What is said of the wild ass, Job 39:5-8 , affords the very best description that can be given of the Ishmaelites, (the Bedouins and wandering Arabs), the descendants of Ishmael: "Who hath sent out the wild ass ( פרא pere ) free? or who... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:12

Verse 12 12.And he will be a wild man. The angel declares what kind of person Ishmael will be. The simple meaning is, (in my judgment,) that he will be a warlike man, and so formidable to his enemies, that none shall injure him with impunity. Some expound the word פרא (pereh) to mean a forester, and one addicted to the hunting of wild beasts. But the explanation must not, it seems, be sought elsewhere than in the context; for it follows immediately after, ‘His hand shall be against all men, and... 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 16:12

And he will be a wild man . Literally, a wild ass ( of a ) man ; the פֶּרֶא , snarler, being so called from its swiftness of foot (cf. Job 39:5-8 ), and aptly depicting "the Bedouin's boundless love of freedom as he rides about in the desert, spear in hand, upon his camel or his horse, hardy, frugal, reveling in the varied beauty of nature, and despising town life in every form" (Keil). As Ishmael and his offspring are here called "wild ass men," so Israel is designated by... 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 16:12

Genesis 16:12. He will be a wild man A wild ass of a man; so the word is: rude, and bold, and fearing no man; untamed, untractable, living at large, and impatient of service and restraint. His hand will be against every man That is his sin; and every man’s hand against him That is his punishment. Those that have turbulent spirits, have commonly troublesome lives: they that are provoking and injurious to others, must expect to be repaid in their own coin. But this prediction chiefly... 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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:12

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

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 16:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

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