Genesis 16:7-9 NIV

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:8

And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid ,.... He calls her by her name, which might surprise her, and describes her by her character and condition, in order to check her pride, and put her in mind of her duty to her mistress; and to suggest to her, that she ought to have been not where she was, but in the house of her mistress, and doing her service: whence camest thou ? this question the angel asked, not as ignorant, for he that could call her by her name, and describe her character and state,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:9

And the angel of the Lord said unto her ,.... The same angel; though Jarchi thinks that one angel after another was sent, and that at every speech there was a fresh angel; and because this phrase is repeated again and again, some of the Rabbins have fancied there were four angels F18 Bereshit Rabba, ut supra. (sect. 45. fol. 41. 1.) , and others five, but without any reason: return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands ; go back to her, humble thyself before her,... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:8

Hagar, Sarai's maid - This mode of address is used to show her that she was known, and to remind her that she was the property of another. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:8

Verse 8 8.And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid. By the use of this epithet, the angel declares, that she still remained a servant, though she had escaped the hands of her mistress; because liberty is not to be obtained by stealth, nor by flight, but by manumission. Moreover, by this expression, God shows that he approves of civil government, and that the violation of it is inexcusable. The condition of servitude was then hard; and thanks are to be given to the Lord, that this barbarity has been... 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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 16:9

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:8

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:1-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 16:7

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