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Matthew Henry

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 16:14

Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi ,.... That is, the fountain where the angel found her, Genesis 16:7 ; this, from the appearance of God to her at it, was afterwards called by her and others by this name, which signifies "the well of him that liveth and seeth me"; that is, of the living and all seeing God, and who had taken a special care of her, and favoured her with a peculiar discovery of his love to her: or this may have respect to herself, and be rendered, "the well of her... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:14

Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi - It appears, from Genesis 16:7 , that Hagar had sat down by a fountain or well of water in the wilderness of Shur, at which the Angel of the Lord found her; and, to commemorate the wonderful discovery which God had made of himself, she called the name of the well ראי לחי באר beer - lachai - roi , "A well to the Living One who seeth me." Two things seem implied here: A dedication of the well to Him who had appeared to her; and, 2.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 16:14

Verse 14 14.Wherefore the well was called (398) I subscribe to the opinion of those who take the word יקרא (yekra,) indefinitely, which is usual enough in the Hebrew language. In order that the sense may be the clearer it is capable of being resolved into the passive voice, that ‘the well was called.’ (399) Yet I think this common appellation originated with Hagar, who, not content with one simple confession, wished that the mercy of God should be attested in time to come; and therefore she... 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 16:14

Wherefore the well was called —in all likelihood first by Hagar— Beer-lahai-roi , or the well of him that liveth and seeth me ( A . V .); but either 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 16:14

Genesis 16:14. The well was called Beer-lahai-roi The well of him that lives and sees me. It is likely Hagar put this name upon it, and it was retained long after. This was the place where the God of glory manifested the special care he took of a poor woman in distress. Those that are graciously admitted into communion with God, and receive seasonable comforts from him, should tell others what he has done for their souls, that they also may be encouraged to seek him and trust in him. 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

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