Keraia
Genesis 16

Genesis 16:12

Hagar and Ishmael · Genesis 16:1–16
Read Genesis 16

Translations

Modern
He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”
Traditional
And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
Literal
And He shall be a wild donkey of a man; His hand against everyone, and the hand of everyone against him, and over against the face of all his brothers he shall dwell.”
Latin
Hic erit ferus homo: manus ejus contra omnes, et manus omnium contra eum: et e regione universorum fratrum suorum figet tabernacula.

Original

Hebrew
English
He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”

Notes

Genesis 16:10–12

Hagar’s son would become the father of a large nation. This nation would be strong but often hostile, living in the Arabian Desert and frequently in conflict with Israel (compare 25:18).

God blessed Ishmael as Abram's descendant. But God did not choose Ishmael to continue the covenant. God kept that blessing for Abram's heir based on God's promise.

Genesis 16:8–12

The angel asked Hagar questions that helped her speak openly to God. When she did, God told her to return and submit to Sarai (16:9). He also promised that her son would have many descendants, so many that they could not be counted.

The angel of the Lord did not call Hagar Abram’s wife. Instead, he called her Sarai’s servant. Hagar would bear Abram’s child, but Ishmael was not part of God’s covenant with Abram.

Genesis 16:1–16

While they waited for their promised son to be born, Abram and Sarai tried another plan. This plan did not show trust in God.

Theme notes and profiles

Abraham Hagar Isaac Ishmael Angels Symbolic Numbers

Events

Glossary

Angel of the Lord Beer-Lahairoi Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Circumcision Donkey Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hagar Maid, Maiden Nations Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Consolation In Being Stubborn Communion: Hagar Ishmael: Son of Abraham: Promised to be the Father of a Nation Islam Lahai-Roi: Hagar Fled To Muslims Prayer: Answered: Hagar, for Deliverance The Ishmaelites: Predictions Respecting: To be Warlike and Predatory The Ishmaelites: Predictions Respecting: To be Wild and Savage The Ishmaelites: Predictions Respecting: To Continue Independent the Wild Donkey: The Ishmaelites (Hebrew)