Genesis — Chapter 16
King James Version (KJV)
Reading Mode: 📖 Read the complete KJV chapter below. After verse 16, continue to 📚 Study This Chapter for explanations and memory checks.
Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai Abram’s wife Rbare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an REgyptian, whose Rname was Hagar.
Genesis 16:2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, Rthe LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may RTobtain children by her. And Abram Rhearkened to the voice of Sarai.
Genesis 16:3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram Rhad dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and Rgave her to her husband Abram to be Rhis wife.
Genesis 16:4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, Rher mistress was despised in her eyes.
Genesis 16:5 And Sarai said unto Abram, RMy wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: Rthe LORD judge between me and thee.
Genesis 16:6 But RAbram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is Rin thy hand; do to her RTas it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai Tdealt hardly with her, she Rfled from her face.
Genesis 16:7 And the angel of the LORD Rfound her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by Rthe fountain in the way to Shur.
Genesis 16:8 And he said, Hagar, RSarai’s maid, Rwhence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, RI flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.
Genesis 16:9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and Rsubmit thyself under her hands.
Genesis 16:10 And Rthe angel of the LORD said unto her, RI will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name TIshmael; Rbecause the LORD Rhath heard thy affliction.
Genesis 16:12 And he will Rbe a wild man; Rhis hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and Rhe shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Genesis 16:13 And she Rcalled the name of the LORD that spake unto her, RThou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after Rhim that seeth me?
Genesis 16:14 Wherefore the well was called TBeerlahairoi; behold, it is between RKadesh and Bered.
Genesis 16:15 RAnd Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, RIshmael.
Genesis 16:16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 16:1–6 — Sarai Gives Hagar to Abram
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Sarai has borne Abram no children. She gives her Egyptian handmaid Hagar to Abram, and Hagar conceives. Conflict follows between Sarai and Hagar, and Hagar flees after Sarai deals hardly with her.
Key Truth: Human attempts to resolve Sarai’s barrenness create painful conflict within Abram’s household.
Check What You Remember
1. What was the name of Sarai’s Egyptian handmaid? (Genesis 16:1)
Find it in Genesis 16:1 (KJV).
2. How many years had Abram lived in Canaan before Sarai gave him Hagar? (Genesis 16:3)
Find it in Genesis 16:3 (KJV).
3. Who was despised in Hagar’s eyes after she conceived? (Genesis 16:4)
Find it in Genesis 16:4 (KJV).
4. What did Hagar do after Sarai dealt hardly with her? (Genesis 16:6)
Find it in Genesis 16:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 16:7–14 — The Angel of the LORD Finds Hagar
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The angel of the LORD finds Hagar by a fountain in the wilderness and tells her to return and submit to Sarai. Hagar is promised numerous descendants and told that her son is to be called Ishmael because the LORD has heard her affliction. Hagar calls the LORD who spoke to her “Thou God seest me.”
Key Truth: The LORD sees Hagar in her affliction, speaks to her situation, and gives a promise concerning her son.
Check What You Remember
1. Beside what source of water was Hagar found? (Genesis 16:7)
Find it in Genesis 16:7 (KJV).
2. To whom was Hagar told to return and submit? (Genesis 16:9)
Find it in Genesis 16:9 (KJV).
3. What name was Hagar told to give her son? (Genesis 16:11)
Find it in Genesis 16:11 (KJV).
4. What did Hagar call the LORD who spoke to her? (Genesis 16:13)
Find it in Genesis 16:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Genesis 16:15–16 — Ishmael Is Born
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Hagar returns and bears Abram a son. Abram names him Ishmael, just as the angel of the LORD had instructed Hagar. Abram is eighty-six years old when Ishmael is born.
Key Truth: The chapter closes with the birth and naming of Ishmael in accordance with the message given to Hagar.
Check What You Remember
1. Who bore Abram a son? (Genesis 16:15)
Find it in Genesis 16:15 (KJV).
2. What did Abram name Hagar’s son? (Genesis 16:15)
Find it in Genesis 16:15 (KJV).
3. Did Hagar bear a son or a daughter? (Genesis 16:15)
Find it in Genesis 16:15 (KJV).
4. How old was Abram when Ishmael was born? (Genesis 16:16)
Find it in Genesis 16:16 (KJV).
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How do Sarai’s intention in verse 2 and Hagar’s response in verse 4 create tension?
2. What relationship connects verses 6 and 8?
3. How does the instruction in verse 9 combine with the promise in verse 10?
4. What stated reason links the child’s name with Hagar’s experience?
5. How does the chapter show the naming command being carried out?
Notes
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