Genesis 16:2-3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 16:1-3

I. The maker of this match (would one think it?) was Sarai herself: she said to Abram, I pray thee, go in unto my maid, Gen. 16:2. Note, 1. It is the policy of Satan to tempt us by our nearest and dearest relations, or those friends that we have an opinion of and an affection for. The temptation is most dangerous when it is sent by a hand that is least suspected: it is our wisdom therefore to consider, not so much who speaks as what is spoken. 2. God's commands consult our comfort and honour... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:2

And Sarai said unto Abram, behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing ,.... Or, "hath shut me up" F4 עצרני "couclusit me", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Schmidt; "occlusit me", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius. ; that is, her womb, as were the wombs of the house of Abimelech, Genesis 20:18 ; so that she could not conceive and bear children; she now at this age despaired of having children, perceiving very probably that it ceased to be with her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:3

And Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian ,.... Took her by the hand, it is probable, and led her into the apartment where Abram was, and presented her to him; their characters are very exactly described, and the contrast beautifully given, that the affair might be the more remarkable and observable: after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan ; so that he was now eighty five years of age, for he was sventy five when he departed from Haran and came into Canaan,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:2

Go in unto my maid - It must not be forgotten that female slaves constituted a part of the private patrimony or possessions of a wife, and that she had a right, according to the usages of those times, to dispose of them as she pleased, the husband having no authority in the case. I may obtain children by her - The slave being the absolute property of the mistress, not only her person, but the fruits of her labor, with all her children, were her owner's property also. The children,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:3

And Sarai, Abram's wife, took Hagar - and gave her to her husband - to be his wife - There are instances of Hindoo women, when barren, consenting to their husbands marrying a second wife for the sake of children; and second marriages on this account, without consent, are very common - Ward read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:2

Verse 2 2.That I may obtain children by her (384) This is a Hebrew phrase, which signifies to become a mother. Some however, expound the word as simply meaning, to have a son. And certainly בן (ben,) which, among the Hebrews, signifies son, corresponds with the verb here used. (385) But since sons are so called metaphorically as being the maintainers of the race, and thus building up the family, therefore the primary signification of the word is to be retained. But Sarai claims for herself by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:3

Verse 3 3.And gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. Moses states what was the design of Sarai; for neither did she intend to make her house a brothel, nor to be the betrayer of her maid’s chastity, nor a pander for her husband. Yet Hagar is improperly called a wife; because she was brought into another person’s bed, against the law of God. Wherefore, let us know that this connection was so far illicit, as to be something between fornication and marriage. The same thing takes place with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:1-6

The maid, the mistress, and the master. I. HAGAR 'S SINS . 1. Pride. 2. Contempt. 3. Insubordination. 4. Flight. II. SARAI 'S FAULTS . 1. Tempting her husband. 2. Excusing herself. 3. Appealing to God. 4. Afflicting her servant. III. ABRAM 'S INFIRMITY . 1. Yielding to temptation. 2. Perpetrating injustice. 3. Acquiescing in oppression.— W . 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 16:2

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained us from bearing . Literally, hath shut me up ( i.e. my womb, Genesis 20:18 ; συνέκλεισέ με, LXX .) from bearing . Her advancing age was rendering this every day more and more apparent. I pray thee go in unto my maid (cf. Genesis 30:3 , Genesis 30:9 ). It is so far satisfactory that the proposal to make a secondary wife of Hagar did not originate with Abram; though, as Sarai's guilt in making it cannot... read more

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