Genesis 16:7-9 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 16:7-9

“7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. 8 And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered. 9 Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.””

Genesis 16:7-9 Meaning

In Genesis 16:7-9 , we see a compassionate encounter between Hagar, the maidservant of Sarai (later renamed Sarah), and the angel of the Lord. Hagar, feeling mistreated and oppressed, had fled into the desert. However, God, in His tender love and concern for His creation, sought her out and spoke to her through the angel. The angel instructed Hagar to return to Sarai and submit to her.

Genesis 16:7-9 Commentary and Explanation

In Genesis 16:7-9, we encounter a powerful and compassionate encounter between Hagar, a maidservant, and the angel of the Lord. This passage provides us with valuable insights into the themes of obedience, suffering, and God’s providence.

As we study this passage, we first notice the setting: Hagar is found near a spring in the desert. This arid and unforgiving environment serves as a poignant backdrop to her plight. Hagar’s situation as a maidservant adds to her vulnerability and serves as a reminder of the social dynamics of the time.

The appearance of the angel of the Lord is significant. Throughout the Bible, encounters with angels often signal divine intervention and guidance. This angelic visitation to Hagar demonstrates God’s concern for those who are marginalized and suffering. It’s a reminder that God sees and cares for the oppressed, even when they are seemingly on the fringes of society.

The angel’s question, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” serves as an invitation for Hagar to share her predicament. This question reflects God’s deep knowledge of our circumstances and emotions, and it echoes other instances in the Bible where God asks individuals about their current state (e.g., Genesis 3:9).

Hagar’s response is candid: she explains that she is running away from her mistress, Sarai. This choice to flee is undoubtedly driven by the harsh treatment she has endured, as Sarai’s jealousy and frustration with her own barrenness have led to Hagar’s mistreatment (Genesis 16:6).

What follows is a crucial moment in this passage: the angel’s directive to Hagar, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” This instruction may seem counterintuitive at first glance. Still, it underscores the importance of obedience and submission, even in the face of adversity. It aligns with broader biblical principles emphasizing the importance of humility and trust in God’s plan (e.g., 1 Peter 5:6).

Instructing Hagar to return to Sarai, the angel doesn’t ignore the reality of her suffering but rather acknowledges it while offering a path forward. This encounter foreshadows the promise of God’s future blessing on Hagar’s descendants (Genesis 16:10-12), illustrating that God’s plan often unfolds in ways we may not immediately understand.

Genesis 16:7-9 serves as a reminder that God is intimately aware of our struggles, especially those faced by the marginalized and oppressed. It teaches us the importance of obedience and submission in difficult circumstances, even when it seems counterintuitive. Moreover, it foreshadows God’s providential plan, which ultimately brings blessings even from situations of hardship. This passage is not only a historical account but also a profound lesson in faith and trust in God’s guidance and sovereignty.

Context of Genesis 16:7-9

These verses occur during a time of great turmoil in the lives of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. However, as the years went by, Sarah remained barren. In an attempt to fulfill God’s promise, Sarah offered her maidservant Hagar to Abraham as a surrogate mother. Hagar became pregnant, which caused tension and jealousy in the household. Sarai mistreated Hagar, leading to her decision to flee.

Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 16:7-9

The angel of the Lord found Hagar: God initiated the encounter with Hagar, demonstrating His desire to meet her in her distress.

“Where have you come from, and where are you going?”: The angel’s question serves as an invitation for Hagar to honestly express her emotions and concerns. God wants us to bring our burdens and fears to Him.

“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai”: Hagar’s response reveals her desperation and the mistreatment she experienced. It also highlights the pain caused by jealousy and conflict within the household.

“Go back to your mistress and submit to her”: God’s instruction for Hagar to return and submit to Sarai may seem difficult to comprehend. However, it reflects God’s desire to teach Hagar important lessons of humility, obedience, and trust.

Lessons From Genesis 16:7-9

1. God sees and cares for the oppressed: Just as God sought out Hagar, He sees and cares for those who are mistreated or marginalized in society. We can find comfort in knowing that God feels our pain and is actively working on our behalf.
2. Trusting God’s guidance: Hagar had to trust that God had a purpose for her life, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. We, too, can trust God’s guidance, knowing that He has a plan for our lives, even when it doesn’t make sense to us.
3. Humbly submitting to authority: Hagar’s instruction to return to Sarai and submit to her teaches us the importance of humility and obedience. It is through submission that we can learn and grow, even in challenging situations.

Biblical Translations of Genesis 16:7-9

Genesis 16:7-9 King James Version (KJV)

“And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go?’ And she said, ‘I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.’ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, ‘Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.’”

Genesis 16:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)

 “The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.’ The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress and submit to her.’”

Genesis 16:7-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 “Now the angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s slave woman, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ And she said, ‘I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.’ Then the angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.’”

Genesis 16:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

“Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. And He said, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.’ The Angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.’”

Genesis 16:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

 “The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?’ ‘I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,’ she replied. The angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.’”

Genesis 16:7-9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. And He said, ‘Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where did you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am running away from my mistress Sarai.’ Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, ‘Go back to your mistress, and submit humbly to her authority.’”

Final Thoughts

The encounter between Hagar and the angel of the Lord reminds us of God’s compassion and concern for His people. Hagar, feeling oppressed and alone, experienced a divine encounter that brought direction and restoration.

We, too, can find comfort in knowing that God sees us in our distress and is willing to meet us where we are. As we face challenges and difficult circumstances, let us trust in God’s guidance and submit to His plans for our lives.