Hagar is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, primarily known as the Egyptian maidservant of Sarai (later Sarah), the wife of Abram (later Abraham). Her account is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 16 and 21. Hagar's life and experiences provide profound insights into themes of faith, obedience, and God's providence.

Background and Role in Abraham's Household

Hagar was an Egyptian servant in the household of Abram and Sarai. Her introduction into the biblical narrative occurs when Sarai, who was barren, offers Hagar to Abram as a surrogate to bear a child. This decision was made in accordance with the customs of the time, where a servant could bear children on behalf of her mistress. Genesis 16:1-2 states, "Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, 'Look now, the LORD has prevented me from having children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.'"

Hagar and Ishmael

Hagar conceives and gives birth to Abram's first son, Ishmael. Her pregnancy leads to tension between her and Sarai, as Hagar begins to despise her mistress. Sarai, in turn, deals harshly with Hagar, causing her to flee into the wilderness. It is in the wilderness that Hagar encounters the Angel of the LORD, who instructs her to return to Sarai and submit to her authority. The Angel also delivers a promise concerning her offspring, saying, "I will greatly multiply your offspring so that they will be too numerous to count" (Genesis 16:10).

Hagar returns and gives birth to Ishmael, who becomes the father of a great nation. Ishmael is considered the ancestor of many Arab peoples, and his birth is seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Hagar.

The Covenant and Hagar's Departure

The birth of Isaac, the son of promise to Abraham and Sarah, further complicates Hagar's position in the household. Sarah sees Ishmael, now a teenager, mocking Isaac, and demands that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. God instructs Abraham to heed Sarah's request, reassuring him that Ishmael will also become a great nation. Genesis 21:12-13 records God's words: "Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. But I will also make a nation of the slave woman’s son, because he is your offspring."

Hagar and Ishmael are sent into the desert with limited provisions. When their water runs out, Hagar, in despair, distances herself from Ishmael, not wanting to witness his death. God hears the boy's cries and provides a well of water, ensuring their survival. The Angel of God reiterates the promise to Hagar, saying, "Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation" (Genesis 21:18).

Legacy and Significance

Hagar's account is a testament to God's faithfulness and care for those who are marginalized and oppressed. Despite her status as a servant and an outsider, God sees Hagar, hears her affliction, and provides for her and her son. Her encounters with the divine highlight God's compassion and the fulfillment of His promises, even to those outside the covenant line of Isaac.

Hagar's narrative also serves as a precursor to the New Testament themes of God's grace extending beyond ethnic and social boundaries. Her account is referenced in Galatians 4:21-31, where Paul uses Hagar and Sarah as allegories to contrast the old covenant of the law with the new covenant of grace through faith in Christ.

In summary, Hagar's life is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and mercy, demonstrating that His plans and purposes transcend human limitations and societal norms.

Chapter xvi
... the same. 1, 2. Now Sarai, Abram's wife, bore him no children, but she
had an Egyptian maid, whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xvi.htm

Chapter xxi
... established. 9. Now Sarah observed that the son of the Egyptian woman Hagar,
whom she had born to Abraham, was (always) mocking. Everything ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
... The general tenor of these passages will be best exemplified by the first among
them,"the narrative of Hagar in Genesis 16.In ver.7, we are told that the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the angel of the lord.htm

Psalm 83
... against thee they combine. ^6The tents of Edom, Ishm'elites,. Moab's and Hagar's
line; ^7Gebal, and Ammon, Amalek,. Philistines, those of Tyre; ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 83.htm

The Censuring of Lust is not a Condemnation of Marriage; Whence ...
... Well, then, were Hagar's eyes, the handmaid of Sarah, previously shut, when, with
her thirsty and sobbing child, she opened her eyes [2075] and saw the well? ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 6 v the censuring of.htm

The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... The two accounts of the expulsion of Hagar and the birth of Ishmael, in Genesis
16:1-16 and 21:1-20 differ rather widely in details. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study v the pioneers influence.htm

Names
... as a memorial of Sarah's laughing, when she heard that she was to have a child;
Ishmael means, 'The Lord hears,' in remembrance of God's hearing Hagar's cry in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon iv names.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... After the birth of Ishmael, we may well suppose that Hagar's chief employment in
Abraham's house was to look after the said Ishmael, to care for him and to ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vii entire sanctification as.htm

Compassion for Souls
... Ishmael, the elder son of Abraham, by the bondwoman Hagar, resided at home with
his father till he was about eighteen years of age; but when he began to mock ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/compassion for souls.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Galatians
... Then he interprets for them the story of Hagar, probably in answer to a reference
in a letter which they had sent him (iv.21-v.1). The Jew is in bondage like ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xii the epistle of.htm

Hagar's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hagar's (1 Occurrence). Genesis 16:16 and Abram 'is' a
son of eighty and six years in Hagar's bearing Ishmael to Abram. (YLT). ...
/h/hagar's.htm - 6k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... years. Sarah after this began to vent her dissatisfaction both on Hagar
and her child. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HAGAR. ha ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Beerlahairoi (1 Occurrence)
... Ie, "the well of him that liveth and seeth me," or, as some render it, "the well
of the vision of life", the well where the Lord met with Hagar (Genesis 16:7-14 ...
/b/beerlahairoi.htm - 8k

Beer-lahai-roi (3 Occurrences)
... Ie, "the well of him that liveth and seeth me," or, as some render it, "the well
of the vision of life", the well where the Lord met with Hagar (Genesis 16:7-14 ...
/b/beer-lahai-roi.htm - 8k

Midian (60 Occurrences)
... 36 Judges 8:22, 24). They must therefore have stood in close relations
with the descendants of Hagar's son. 3. Modern Arabs: The ...
/m/midian.htm - 32k

Midianites (30 Occurrences)
... 36 Judges 8:22, 24). They must therefore have stood in close relations
with the descendants of Hagar's son. 3. Modern Arabs: The ...
/m/midianites.htm - 21k

Hagarites (4 Occurrences)

/h/hagarites.htm - 7k

Hagerite (1 Occurrence)

/h/hagerite.htm - 6k

Bearing (150 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Galatians 4:24 These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants.
One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar. ...
/b/bearing.htm - 39k

Who was Hagar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Sarah and Hagar? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Sarah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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