Genesis 16:2

Translations

Modern

So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Traditional

And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Literal

And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, YHWH has restrained me from bearing children. Go in, please, to my maidservant; perhaps I shall be built up from her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Latin

…dixit marito suo: Ecce, conclusit me Dominus, ne parerem. Ingredere ad ancillam meam, si forte saltem ex illa suscipiam filios. Cumque ille acquiesceret deprecanti,

Original

Hebrew

English

So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.

Notes

Genesis 16:1–3

Abram and Sarai dealt with the stress of Sarai not being able to have children and being too old to give birth.

According to the custom in that culture, a woman unable to have children could give her servant as a secondary wife to her husband. The child from this union became the primary wife's child. They adopted the child as the heir.

Sarai's suggestion was acceptable according to the culture's custom. But it was a human plan that showed a lack of faith in God. God’s promises would be fulfilled by faith.

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 Infertility Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 3:17
And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
Genesis 18:10
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.
Exodus 21:4
If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the woman and her children shall belong to her master, and only the man shall go free.
Genesis 30:9–10
When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife.
Genesis 20:18
…for on account of Abraham’s wife Sarah, the LORD had completely closed all the wombs in Abimelech’s household.
Genesis 3:12
And the man answered, “The woman whom You gave me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Genesis 3:1–6
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”
Genesis 30:2–4
Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”
Genesis 25:21
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.
Genesis 17:16
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.”
Genesis 30:22
Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb,
Psalm 127:3
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Sarah: Wife of Abraham; mother of Isaac

Glossary

Adultery Barrenness Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Circumcision Concubinage, Concubines Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Hagar Ishmael Maid, Maiden Nations Nuzi, Nuzi Tablets Patriarchs, Period of the Slave, Slavery

Topics

Childlessness: A Reproach Responsibility: Attempts to Shift: Sarah Sarah: Also Called Sarai is Sterile; Gives Her Handmaiden, Hagar, to Abraham As a Concubine Servant: Bond: Taken in Concubinage

Genesis 16:2

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