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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 16:4 And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/16-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_16_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 16:4 - The Birth of Ishmael" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/16-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/16-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/16-3.htm" title="Genesis 16:3">◄</a> Genesis 16:4 <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm" title="Genesis 16:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress became despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then he had relations with Hagar, and she conceived; and when <i>Hagar</i> became aware that she had conceived, her mistress was insignificant in her sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. Then she saw that she had conceived, so her mistress became contemptible in her sight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He went in to [the bed of] Hagar, and she conceived; and when she realized that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress [regarding Sarai as insignificant because of her infertility].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she saw that she was pregnant, her mistress became contemptible to her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she realized that she was pregnant, she treated her mistress with contempt. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Later, when Hagar knew she was going to have a baby, she became proud and treated Sarai hatefully. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He slept with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to be disrespectful to Sarai, her owner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Abram had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she found out that she was pregnant, she became proud and despised Sarai. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He had sex with Hagar, and she became pregnant. When she realized that she was pregnant, she looked with contempt on her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. Once Hagar realized she was pregnant, she despised Sarai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He went in to Hagar, and she conceived. When she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he goes in to Hagar, and she conceives, and she sees that she has conceived, and her mistress is lightly esteemed in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he goeth in unto Hagar, and she conceiveth, and she seeth that she hath conceived, and her mistress is lightly esteemed in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abram will go in to Hagar, and she will conceive, and she will see that she conceived; and her mistress will be despised in her eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he went in to her. But she, perceiving that she was with child, despised her mistress. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he entered to her. But when she saw that she had conceived, she despised her mistress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He had intercourse with her, and she became pregnant. As soon as Hagar knew she was pregnant, her mistress lost stature in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He went in to Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he entered into Hagar and she conceived, and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived; and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he went in to Agar, and she conceived, and saw that she was with child, and her mistress was dishonoured before her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/16-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=3316" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/16.htm">The Birth of Ishmael</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">And he slept with</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1904.htm" title="1904: hā·ḡār (N-proper-fs) -- Sarah's Eg. maid, the mother of Ishmael. Of uncertain derivation; Hagar, the mother of Ishmael.">Hagar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2029.htm" title="2029: wat·ta·har (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To conceive, become pregnant. A primitive root; to be pregnant, conceive.">and she conceived.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wat·tê·re (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">But when Hagar realized</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2029.htm" title="2029: hā·rā·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To conceive, become pregnant. A primitive root; to be pregnant, conceive.">she was pregnant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7043.htm" title="7043: wat·tê·qal (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To be slight, swift or trifling. A primitive root; to be light, literally Or figuratively.">she began to despise</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·ne·hā (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 3fs) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1404.htm" title="1404: gə·ḇir·tāh (N-fsc:: 3fs) -- Lady, queen, mistress. Feminine of gbiyr; mistress.">her mistress.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>Then Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be upon you! I delivered my servant into your arms, and ever since she saw that she was pregnant, she has treated me with contempt. May the LORD judge between you and me.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-31</a></span><br />For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9-10</a></span><br />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, / and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-3</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">1 Samuel 1:6-7</a></span><br />Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her. / And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-31.htm">Genesis 29:31</a></span><br />When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Genesis 25:21-22</a></span><br />Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived. / But the children inside her struggled with each other, and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So Rebekah went to inquire of the LORD,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-9.htm">Genesis 30:9-13</a></span><br />When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. / And Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. / Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-14.htm">Genesis 30:14-16</a></span><br />Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” / But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” / When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-2</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-2</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/17-15.htm">Genesis 17:15-19</a></span><br />Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, do not call her Sarai, for her name is to be Sarah. / And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” / Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10-15</a></span><br />Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. / And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. / So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-6.htm">Genesis 25:6</a></span><br />But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Genesis 30:22-24</a></span><br />Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. / She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/37-3.htm">Genesis 37:3-4</a></span><br />Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors. / When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.</p><p class="hdg">her mistress.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">1 Samuel 1:6-8</a></b></br> And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/6-16.htm">2 Samuel 6:16</a></b></br> And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-20.htm">Proverbs 30:20,21,23</a></b></br> Such <i>is</i> the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/15-3.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-20.htm">Contempt</a> <a href="/jude/1-8.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/james/2-6.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-4.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Hagar</a> <a href="/genesis/4-12.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">Master's</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-14.htm">Mistress</a> <a href="/genesis/4-17.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/genesis/4-5.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/genesis/6-11.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/genesis/2-21.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/16-3.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Child</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Conceived</a> <a href="/genesis/21-2.htm">Conceiveth</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Contempt</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-15.htm">Despise</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/exodus/11-3.htm">Esteemed</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/genesis/16-6.htm">Hagar</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Master's</a> <a href="/genesis/16-8.htm">Mistress</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Pregnant</a> <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Respect</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/genesis/19-8.htm">Slept</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Wife</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Sarai, being barren, gives Hagar to Abram.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">Hagar, being afflicted for despising her mistress, runs away.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-7.htm">An angel commands her to return and submit herself, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-10.htm">promises her a numerous posterity, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-12.htm">and shows their character and condition.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-13.htm">Hagar names the place, and returns to Sarai.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-15.htm">Ishmael is born.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/16-16.htm">The age of Abram.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived.</b><br>This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Abram and Sarai. Abram's union with Hagar, Sarai's Egyptian maidservant, was a culturally accepted practice in the ancient Near East when a wife was barren. This act was intended to produce an heir, reflecting the importance of lineage and inheritance in biblical times. The conception of Hagar signifies the beginning of a complex family dynamic that would have lasting implications for Abram's descendants. This event also foreshadows the birth of Ishmael, who would become the ancestor of many Arab nations, highlighting the long-term consequences of human actions outside of God's original promise.<p><b>But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant,</b><br>Hagar's awareness of her pregnancy introduces a shift in her status within the household. In ancient cultures, fertility was highly valued, and a woman's ability to bear children was often seen as a sign of divine favor. Hagar's pregnancy would have elevated her position, as she was now carrying Abram's child. This change in status is significant, as it sets the stage for the ensuing conflict between Hagar and Sarai. The narrative underscores the tension between human attempts to fulfill divine promises and the resulting interpersonal strife.<p><b>she began to despise her mistress.</b><br>Hagar's contempt for Sarai reflects the complex social dynamics at play. Her newfound status as the mother of Abram's child likely led to feelings of superiority over Sarai, who remained barren. This animosity can be seen as a natural consequence of the polygamous arrangement, which often led to rivalry and discord. The Hebrew word translated as "despise" suggests a deep-seated disdain, indicating a significant breakdown in their relationship. This tension foreshadows the eventual expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, illustrating the broader theme of conflict and reconciliation that runs throughout the biblical narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abram.htm">Abram</a></b><br>The patriarch chosen by God to be the father of many nations. At this point in Genesis, he is still waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise of a son.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sarai.htm">Sarai</a></b><br>Abram's wife, who is barren and has not yet borne children. She suggests that Abram have a child with her maidservant, Hagar, to build a family.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/h/hagar.htm">Hagar</a></b><br>Sarai's Egyptian maidservant. She becomes pregnant by Abram and her attitude towards Sarai changes, leading to tension.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/c/canaan.htm">Canaan</a></b><br>The land where Abram and Sarai are dwelling, which God has promised to Abram's descendants.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/conception_and_conflict.htm">Conception and Conflict</a></b><br>The event of Hagar conceiving a child with Abram leads to a shift in relationships and introduces conflict between Hagar and Sarai.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_impatience.htm">Consequences of Impatience</a></b><br>Sarai's decision to have Abram conceive a child with Hagar reflects human impatience and lack of trust in God's timing. This teaches us the importance of waiting on God's promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pride_and_humility.htm">Pride and Humility</a></b><br>Hagar's change in attitude towards Sarai after conceiving shows how pride can lead to conflict. Believers are called to maintain humility, regardless of their circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human errors and conflicts, God's plans are not thwarted. This account reminds us that God can work through our mistakes to fulfill His purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/interpersonal_relationships.htm">Interpersonal Relationships</a></b><br>The tension between Hagar and Sarai highlights the need for grace and understanding in relationships, especially when circumstances change.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a></b><br>Abram and Sarai's actions serve as a cautionary tale about the importance of faith and obedience to God's word, rather than taking matters into our own hands.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_ishmael_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Ishmael in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/address_abram's_moral_dilemma_in_genesis.htm">How do we address the moral dilemma of Abram fathering a child with his wife's servant (Genesis 16:1–4)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_support_surrogacy.htm">Is surrogate motherhood supported by the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_lessons_from_sarah_and_hagar.htm">What lessons does the Sarah and Hagar story teach?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Her mistress was despised.</span>--Hagar, we are told in <a href="/genesis/16-3.htm" title="And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelled ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.">Genesis 16:3</a>, was to be, not Abram's concubine, but his wife. She was to be Sarai's representative, and though now she would hold the highest place in the household next to Sarai, because of this relation to Abram, yet she would continue to be Sarai's maid. But no sooner had she conceived, than, proud of her superiority over her mistress, she wished to overthrow this arrangement, and, at all events, acted as if she was Abram's wife absolutely, and thrust Sarai aside.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And he went in unto Hagar</span>. <span class="hebrew">בּוא אֶלאּ</span>, a linguistic peculiarity of the Jehovist, occurring <a href="/genesis/29-21.htm">Genesis 29:21, 30</a>; <a href="/genesis/30-3.htm">Genesis 30:3, 4</a>; <a href="/genesis/38-2.htm">Genesis 38:2, 9, 16</a> (Vaihinger, Davidson); but by some partitionists <a href="/genesis/29.htm">Genesis 29</a>. and 30. are assigned to the Elohist (Tuch, Bleek, De Wette). <span class="cmt_word">And she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.</span> As Hannah by Peninnah (<a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">1 Samuel 1:6</a>); barrenness among the Hebrews having been regarded as a dishonor and reproach (<a href="/genesis/19-31.htm">Genesis 19:31</a>; <a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1, 23</a>; <a href="/leviticus/20-20.htm">Leviticus 20:20</a>), and fecundity as a special mark of the Divine favor (<a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Genesis 21:6</a>; <a href="/genesis/24-60.htm">Genesis 24:60</a>; <a href="/exodus/23-26.htm">Exodus 23:26</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/7-14.htm">Deuteronomy 7:14</a>). Whether Hagar imagined Sarai to be through her barrenness "tanquam <span class="accented">a Divino promisso repudiatam"</span> (Lyra), or anticipated Sarai's displacement from her position as Abram s wife (Inglis), she, immediately on perceiving her condition, became insolent (cf. <a href="/proverbs/30-23.htm">Proverbs 30:23</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/16-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And he slept with</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Hagar,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָגָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ḡār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1904.htm">Strong's 1904: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hagar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and she conceived.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתַּ֑הַר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·ta·har)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2029.htm">Strong's 2029: </a> </span><span class="str2">To conceive, become pregnant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But when [Hagar] realized</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֙רֶא֙</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·re)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she was pregnant,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָ֔תָה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2029.htm">Strong's 2029: </a> </span><span class="str2">To conceive, become pregnant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she began to despise</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּקַ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·qal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7043.htm">Strong's 7043: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be slight, swift or trifling</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her mistress.</span><br /><span class="heb">גְּבִרְתָּ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(gə·ḇir·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1404.htm">Strong's 1404: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lady, queen, mistress</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/16-4.htm">Genesis 16:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/16-4.htm">OT Law: Genesis 16:4 He went in to Hagar and she (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/16-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 16:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 16:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/16-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 16:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 16:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>