Genesis 16:9
New International Version
Then the angel of the LORD told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.”

New Living Translation
The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”

English Standard Version
The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.”

Berean Standard Bible
So the angel of the LORD told her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.”

King James Bible
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

New King James Version
The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.”

New American Standard Bible
So the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”

NASB 1995
Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.”

NASB 1977
Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her, “Return to your mistress and humble yourself under her hands.”

Amplified Bible
The Angel of the LORD said to her, “Go back to your mistress, and submit humbly to her authority.”

Christian Standard Bible
The angel of the LORD said to her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her authority.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “You must go back to your mistress and submit to her mistreatment.”

American Standard Version
And the angel of Jehovah said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

Contemporary English Version
The angel said, "Go back to Sarai and be her slave.

English Revised Version
And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Messenger of the LORD said to her, "Go back to your owner, and place yourself under her authority."

Good News Translation
He said, "Go back to her and be her slave."

International Standard Version
The angel of the LORD told her, "You must go back to your mistress and submit to her authority."

Majority Standard Bible
So the angel of the LORD told her, ?Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.?

NET Bible
Then the LORD's angel said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit to her authority.

New Heart English Bible
The angel of the LORD said to her, "Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority."

Webster's Bible Translation
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

World English Bible
Yahweh’s angel said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the Messenger of YHWH says to her, “Return to your mistress, and humble yourself under her hands”;

Young's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah saith to her, 'Turn back unto thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hands;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And the messenger of Jehovah will say to her, Turn back to thy mistress and be humbled under her hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and humble yourself under her hand.”

New American Bible
But the LORD’s angel told her: “Go back to your mistress and submit to her authority.

New Revised Standard Version
The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the angel of the LORD said to her, Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Angel of LORD JEHOVAH said to her, “Return to your Mistress and be subject under her hand.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the angel of the LORD said unto her: 'Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the angel of the Lord said to her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Birth of Ishmael
8“Hagar, servant of Sarai,” he said, “where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I am running away from my mistress Sarai,” she replied. 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.”…

Cross References
Exodus 23:20-21
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him.

1 Peter 2:18-20
Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. / For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. / How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

Ephesians 6:5-8
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. / And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. / Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, ...

Colossians 3:22-24
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. / Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, / because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should regard their masters as fully worthy of honor, so that God’s name and our teaching will not be discredited. / Those who have believing masters should not show disrespect because they are brothers, but should serve them all the more, since those receiving their good service are beloved believers. Teach and encourage these principles.

Titus 2:9-10
Slaves are to submit to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, / not stealing from them, but showing all good faith, so that in every respect they will adorn the teaching about God our Savior.

Philemon 1:15-16
For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— / no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” ...

1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. / For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave. / You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ...

Galatians 4:22-31
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise. / These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. ...

Hebrews 12:9
Furthermore, we have all had earthly fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them. Should we not much more submit to the Father of our spirits and live?

James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1 Peter 5:5-6
Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” / Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.


Treasury of Scripture

And the angel of the LORD said to her, Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hands.

submit.

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.

Ephesians 5:21
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Ephesians 6:5,6
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; …

Jump to Previous
Angel Authority Hands Humble Messenger Mistress Submit Thyself Turn
Jump to Next
Angel Authority Hands Humble Messenger Mistress Submit Thyself Turn
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.














The angel of the LORD
This phrase introduces a significant figure in the Old Testament, often seen as a divine messenger or a theophany, a visible manifestation of God. In Hebrew, "mal'ak YHWH" can imply a direct representation of God Himself, suggesting that Hagar's encounter is not merely with an angelic being but with God in a form she can perceive. This encounter underscores the personal nature of God's care and intervention in the lives of individuals, even those who might seem marginalized or insignificant in the broader narrative.

said to her
The act of speaking here is crucial. In the ancient Near Eastern context, divine communication was a profound event, often guiding the course of history. The fact that God speaks directly to Hagar, an Egyptian servant, highlights the inclusivity of God's concern and the personal nature of His guidance. It emphasizes that God's voice reaches beyond cultural and social boundaries, offering direction and hope.

Return to your mistress
This directive might seem harsh at first glance, but it reflects a deeper purpose in God's plan. The Hebrew word "shuv" (return) implies a turning back, not just physically but spiritually and relationally. It suggests a restoration of order and a call to trust in God's overarching plan. In the cultural context, returning to Sarai was a call to face difficult circumstances with faith, trusting that God would work through them for a greater good.

and submit to her authority
The Hebrew word "anah" (submit) carries the connotation of humility and affliction. This instruction is not about endorsing mistreatment but about embracing a posture of humility and trust in God's justice and timing. In the broader biblical narrative, submission is often linked with faith and reliance on God's sovereignty. It is a call to recognize God's authority and to trust that He will bring about His purposes, even through challenging situations.

(9) Submit thyself.--Heb., humble thyself. It is the verb translated dealt hardly in Genesis 16:6. The angel therefore commands her to take the position which Sarai was forcing upon her; and by so doing proves to us that there had been no personal maltreatment. Commentators have taken this notion, not from the Hebrew, but from the English Version.

Verse 9. - And the angel of the Lord said unto her - as Paul afterwards practically said to Onesimus, the runaway slave of Philemon (vide Philippians 12) - return to thy mistress, and submit thyself - the verb here employed is the same as that, which the historian uses to describe Sarah s conduct towards her (Ver. 6); its meaning obviously is that she should meekly resign herself to the ungracious and oppressive treatment of her mistress - under her hands.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

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

her,
לָהּ֙ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Return
שׁ֖וּבִי (šū·ḇî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

your mistress
גְּבִרְתֵּ֑ךְ (gə·ḇir·têḵ)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1404: Lady, queen, mistress

and submit
וְהִתְעַנִּ֖י (wə·hiṯ·‘an·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 6031: To be bowed down or afflicted

to her authority.”
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of


Links
Genesis 16:9 NIV
Genesis 16:9 NLT
Genesis 16:9 ESV
Genesis 16:9 NASB
Genesis 16:9 KJV

Genesis 16:9 BibleApps.com
Genesis 16:9 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 16:9 Chinese Bible
Genesis 16:9 French Bible
Genesis 16:9 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 16:9 The angel of Yahweh said to her (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 16:8
Top of Page
Top of Page