Genesis 16:4

Modern

And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

Traditional

And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.

Literal

And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And she saw that she had conceived, and her mistress became despised in her eyes.

Latin

Qui ingressus est ad eam. At illa concepisse se videns, despexit dominam suam.

Hebrew

English

And he slept with Hagar, and she conceived. But when Hagar realized that she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

Hagar might have thought Abram would favor her instead of Sarai (compare Proverbs 30:21–23).

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

Proverbs 30:23
…an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress.
2 Samuel 6:16
As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.
1 Samuel 1:6–8
Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.
1 Corinthians 4:6
Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
Proverbs 30:20–21
This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
1 Corinthians 13:4–5
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Hagar: Sarah's Egyptian maidservant; mother of Ishmael