Genesis 16:10
New International Version
The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”

New Living Translation
Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”

English Standard Version
The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”

King James Bible
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

New King James Version
Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.”

New American Standard Bible
The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.”

NASB 1995
Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.”

NASB 1977
Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they shall be too many to count.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, the angel of Yahweh said to her, “I will greatly multiply your seed so that they will be too many to be counted.”

Amplified Bible
Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.”

Christian Standard Bible
The angel of the LORD said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, and they will be too many to count.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, and they will be too many to count.”

American Standard Version
And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

English Revised Version
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Messenger of the LORD also said to her, "I will give you many descendants. No one will be able to count them because there will be so many."

Good News Translation
Then he said, "I will give you so many descendants that no one will be able to count them.

International Standard Version
The angel of the LORD also told her, "I will greatly multiply your offspring, who will be too many to count.

Majority Standard Bible
Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.”

NET Bible
I will greatly multiply your descendants," the LORD's angel added, "so that they will be too numerous to count."

New Heart English Bible
The angel of the LORD said to her, "I will greatly multiply your descendants, so that they will be too numerous to count."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the angel of the LORD said to her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

World English Bible
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “I will greatly multiply your offspring, that they will not be counted for multitude.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the Messenger of YHWH says to her, “Multiplying I multiply your seed, and it is not numbered from multitude”;

Young's Literal Translation
and the messenger of Jehovah saith to her, 'Multiplying I multiply thy seed, and it is not numbered from multitude;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah will say to her, Multiplying, I will multiply thy seed, and it shall not be counted for multitude.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And again he said: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, and it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And again he said, “I will multiply your offspring continuously, and they will not be numbered because of their multitude.”

New American Bible
I will make your descendants so numerous,” added the LORD’s angel, “that they will be too many to count.”

New Revised Standard Version
The angel of the LORD also said to her, “I will so greatly multiply your offspring that they cannot be counted for multitude.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And again the angel of the LORD said to her, I will greatly multiply your descendants, that they can not be numbered because of their multitude.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to her, “Multiplying I shall multiply your seed and it will not be counted because of its immensity.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the angel of the LORD said unto her: 'I will greatly multiply thy seed, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the angel of the Lord said to her, I will surely multiply thy seed, and it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Ishmael
9So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” 10Then the angel added, “I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count.” 11The angel of the LORD proceeded: “Behold, you have conceived and will bear a son. And you shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard your cry of affliction.…

Cross References
Genesis 17:20
As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.

Genesis 21:18
Get up, lift up the boy, and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

Genesis 25:12-18
This is the account of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham. / These are the names of the sons of Ishmael in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ...

Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

Genesis 13:16
I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if one could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted.

Genesis 15:5
And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Genesis 22:17
I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies.

Genesis 28:14
Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

Exodus 32:13
Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’”

Deuteronomy 1:10
The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky.

Deuteronomy 10:22
Your fathers went down to Egypt, seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.

1 Kings 4:20
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.

1 Chronicles 1:29-31
These are their genealogies: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, / Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadad, Tema, / Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael.

Psalm 105:8-11
He remembers His covenant forever, the word He ordained for a thousand generations— / the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: ...

Isaiah 60:22
The least of you will become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.


Treasury of Scripture

And the angel of the LORD said to her, I will multiply your seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.

the angel.

Genesis 22:15-18
And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, …

Genesis 31:11-13
And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I…

Genesis 32:24-30
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day…

I will.

Genesis 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 21:13,16
And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed…

Genesis 25:12-18
Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham: …

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Added Angel Count Descendants Exceedingly Greatly Increase Increased Messenger Moreover Multiply Multiplying Multitude Numbered Numerous Seed
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Added Angel Count Descendants Exceedingly Greatly Increase Increased Messenger Moreover Multiply Multiplying Multitude Numbered Numerous Seed
Genesis 16
1. Sarai, being barren, gives Hagar to Abram.
4. Hagar, being afflicted for despising her mistress, runs away.
7. An angel commands her to return and submit herself,
10. promises her a numerous posterity,
12. and shows their character and condition.
13. Hagar names the place, and returns to Sarai.
15. Ishmael is born.
16. The age of Abram.














Then the angel added
The phrase "Then the angel added" introduces a divine messenger, often understood as a theophany or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ in conservative Christian theology. The Hebrew word for "angel" is "mal'ak," which means "messenger." This indicates a direct communication from God, emphasizing the importance and authority of the message. In the context of Genesis, angels often serve as intermediaries between God and humans, delivering messages of great significance. This particular angelic encounter underscores God's active involvement in the unfolding narrative of His people.

I will greatly multiply
The promise "I will greatly multiply" reflects God's covenantal language, reminiscent of His promises to Abraham. The Hebrew root "rabah" means to increase or become numerous. This multiplication is not merely a natural increase but a divine blessing, indicating God's favor and purpose. In the ancient Near Eastern context, having numerous descendants was a sign of divine blessing and favor, ensuring the continuation of one's lineage and legacy.

your offspring
The term "offspring" translates from the Hebrew "zera," meaning seed or descendants. This word is significant in biblical theology, as it often refers to the continuation of a covenantal line. In the broader narrative of Genesis, the concept of "offspring" ties into God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. Here, the promise extends to Hagar, indicating that God's blessings and purposes transcend human expectations and social norms.

so that they will be too numerous to count
This phrase echoes the promise given to Abraham in Genesis 15:5, where God tells him that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. The idea of being "too numerous to count" signifies an overwhelming abundance, a divine fulfillment beyond human comprehension. In the Hebrew context, this hyperbolic expression underscores the magnitude of God's blessing and the certainty of His promises. It reassures Hagar of her son's future significance and God's overarching plan, even amidst her personal struggles.

(10) I will multiply thy seed.--We have here the purpose of the Divine manifestation. Abram's son must not be mixed up with and lost among the debased population of Egypt, but must be the father of a free people; and Hagar will now submit to her lot as a slave, that she may secure liberty for her offspring.

Verse 10. - And the angel of the Lord said unto her (after duty, promise), I will multiply thy seed exceedingly (literally, multiplying I will multiply thy seed; language altogether inappropriate in the lips of a creature), that (literally, and) it shall not be numbered for multitude.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the Angel
מַלְאַ֣ךְ (mal·’aḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

added,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I will greatly multiply
הַרְבָּ֥ה (har·bāh)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

your offspring
זַרְעֵ֑ךְ (zar·‘êḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 2233: Seed, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

so that
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

they will be too numerous
מֵרֹֽב׃ (mê·rōḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

to count.”
יִסָּפֵ֖ר (yis·sā·p̄êr)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate


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OT Law: Genesis 16:10 The angel of Yahweh said to her (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 16:9
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