Genesis 16:7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 16:7-9

Here is the first mention we have in scripture of an angel's appearance. Hagar was a type of the law, which was given by the disposition of angels; but the world to come is not put in subjection to them, Heb. 2:5. Observe, I. How the angel arrested her in her flight, Gen. 16:7. It should seem, she was making towards her own country; for she was in the way to Shur, which lay towards Egypt. It were well if our afflictions would make us think of our home, the better country. But Hagar was now out... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:7

And the angel of the Lord found her ,.... This is the first time that mention is made of an angel in Scripture, but is not to be understood of a created angel, but of a divine Person, as appears from Genesis 16:10 , the uncreated angel, the Logos or Son of God, called the Angel of God's presence, and the Angel of the covenant, Isaiah 63:9 Malachi 3:1 ; who often appeared in an human form before his incarnation, being sent by his divine Father on one account or another; and hence called... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:7

The angel of the Lord - That Jesus Christ, in a body suited to the dignity of his nature, frequently appeared to the patriarchs, has been already intimated. That the person mentioned here was greater than any created being is sufficiently evident from the following particulars: - 1. From his promising to perform what God alone could do, and foretelling what God alone could know; "I will multiply thy seed exceedingly," etc., Genesis 16:10 ; "Thou art with child, and shalt bear a son,"... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:7

Verse 7 7.And the angel of the Lord found her. We are here taught with what clemency the Lord acts towards his own people, although they have deserved severe punishment. As he had previously mitigated the punishment of Abram and Sarai, so now he casts a paternal look upon Hagar, so that his favor is extended to the whole family. He does not indeed altogether spare them, lest he should cherish their vices; but he corrects them with gentle remedies. It is indeed probable, that Hagar, in going to... 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

And the angel of the Lord . Maleach Jehovah , elsewhere styled Maleach Elohim ( Genesis 21:17 ; Genesis 31:11 ); supposed but wrongly to be a creature angel, for the reasons chiefly 1. The Maleach Jehovah explicitly identifies himself with Jehovah ( Genesis 16:10 ) and Elohim ( Genesis 22:12 ). 2. Those to whom he makes his presence known recognize him as Divine ( Genesis 16:13 ; Genesis 18:23-33 ; Genesis 28:16-22 ; Exodus 3:6 ; 6:15 , 6:20-23 ; 13:22 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:7

The capture of the runaway, or Hagar and the angel of the Lord. I. THE FUGITIVE ARRESTED . 1. The agent of her capture . The angel of Jehovah ( vide Exposition), whose appearance to Hagar at this particular juncture was doubtless— 2. The place of her capture . II. THE FOUNDLING INTERROGATED . 1. The question of the angel . 2. The answer of Hagar . III. THE WANDERER DIRECTED . 1. To return to Abram ' s house . The tent of Sarai,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:7

Wells in the wilderness. 1. God provides them for the rest and refreshment of pilgrims. 2. God visits them to meet with wear), and afflicted pilgrims. 3. God dispenses from them life and hope to all repenting and believing pilgrims. Compare with the angel of Jehovah and Hagar at the fountain of Shur, Christ and the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well ( John 4:6 ).— W . 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

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

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